Assess how the British used divide and rule policies in Sri Lanka?
The British used divide and rule policies in Sri Lanka to maintain control over the population and exploit the resources of the island. They divided the population along ethnic and religious lines, pitting the Sinhalese majority against the Tamil minority.
The British favored the minority Tamils, who were seen as more loyal and easier to control, and gave them preferential treatment in education, employment, and government positions. This created tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamils, leading to animosity and conflict.
The British also implemented policies that marginalized the Sinhalese, such as land reforms that dispossessed them of their traditional lands and economic policies that favored Tamil traders and businessmen. This further deepened the divisions between the two communities.
By playing the different ethnic groups against each other, the British were able to weaken any potential united resistance to their rule. This divide and rule strategy was effective in maintaining British control over Sri Lanka for nearly 150 years, until the country gained independence in 1948. However, the legacy of these policies continues to impact the country to this day, as ethnic tensions and conflicts persist.