The Northwest Frontier Province of British India was of great strateg...
No region of the British Empire afforded more grandeur, influence, power, status and prestige then India. The British prominence in India was unique and incomparable. For this very reason the security and safety of India became the prime objective of British Imperial foreign policy in India. India was the symbol of appealing, thriving, profitable and advantageous British Imperial greatness.
Closely interlinked with the question of the imperial defence of India was the tribal belt or tribal areas in the North-West Frontier region inhabitant by Pashtun ethnic groups. The area was defined topographically as a strategic zone of defence, which had substantial geo-political and geo-strategic significance for the British rule in India.
For the British, France under Napoleon Bonaparte and later on the conquest of Russia in Central Asia was perceived as a serious threat to India. The British feared that Afghanistan might become a staging post for a Russian invasion of India. Afghanistan was therefore, created a buffer state and a barrier against British adversaries with regard to India's security. As a consequence, the western and North Western frontiers of India assumed importance for the British government in India and thus raised the strategic importance of India's North West Frontier.
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The Northwest Frontier Province of British India was of great strateg...
The correct answer is option 'A': 1 only.
Explanation:
1. Overland Gateway to India through the Khyber Pass:
The Northwest Frontier Province (now known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) of British India was strategically important to the British colonials because it served as the overland gateway to India through the Khyber Pass. The Khyber Pass is a mountain pass connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan, and it was a vital route for trade and military expeditions. This pass could be accessed by invaders, including tribes from the northwest region, making it crucial for the British to control and secure this area.
2. Danger posed by tribes and deployment of Khassadars:
While the tribes of the North-West Frontier Province did pose a challenge to the British Empire, the deployment of Khassadars was not the primary method used to tame them. The Khassadars, or local tribal police, were recruited by the British to maintain law and order in the region. They were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining security, and serving as a link between the British administration and the local tribes. However, their primary role was not to tame the tribes but rather to ensure stability and cooperation with the British authorities.
The British employed various strategies to control the tribes in the North-West Frontier Province. They established a system of political agents who were responsible for maintaining relations with the tribes and negotiating agreements. They also utilized a combination of military force, diplomacy, and appeasement to manage the tribes and prevent any upheaval or rebellion against the British rule. The British recognized the importance of gaining the support or at least the neutrality of the tribes in order to maintain control over the region.
In conclusion, while both the overland gateway to India through the Khyber Pass and the danger posed by tribes in the North-West Frontier Province were significant factors for the British colonials, it was primarily the strategic importance of the Khyber Pass that made the Northwest Frontier Province of British India of great importance to the British Empire.
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