Did the British stoke religious division in India during this time and, if so, how?(1 point)
a. The British did not stoke religious divisions, only divisions between people who were European and people who weren’t. They did this by oppressing anyone who wasn’t European.
b. The British began divisions between Muslim and Hindu groups that hadn’t existed before by partitioning areas to separate Muslim and Hindu populations. This directly led to the Amritsar Massacre.
c. Despite all the cruelties the British committed, they at least tried to play down religious divisions. Unfortunately, this didn’t work and ultimately led to the Amritsar Massacre.
d. The British widened divisions that already existed between Muslim and Hindu groups by partitioning areas to separate Muslim and Hindu populations.
d. The British widened divisions that already existed between Muslim and Hindu groups by partitioning areas to separate Muslim and Hindu populations.
d. The British widened divisions that already existed between Muslim and Hindu groups by partitioning areas to separate Muslim and Hindu populations.
To determine the correct answer, we can consider the historical context of British rule in India and the events leading up to the Amritsar Massacre. It is important to gather evidence and analyze the actions of the British during this time.
Option a suggests that the British only focused on divisions based on European and non-European groups. While it is true that the British implemented oppressive policies against non-European people, the question specifically asks about religious divisions. So, option a is unlikely to be the correct answer.
Option b claims that the British introduced divisions between Muslim and Hindu groups by partitioning areas to separate populations. This statement aligns with historical events, as the British enacted a policy of partitioning India in 1905, known as the Partition of Bengal. The aim was to separate the mainly Muslim eastern regions from the mainly Hindu western regions. This policy did indeed contribute to religious divisions, which were further heightened during the later partition of India in 1947. The Amritsar Massacre occurred in 1919, and while it was not directly caused by the partition, it is a relevant event highlighting the religious tensions and divisions present during that time. Therefore, option b seems to be the most accurate answer to the question.
Option c acknowledges the British cruelties but suggests that they tried to play down religious divisions. However, there is no clear historical evidence of the British actively attempting to reduce religious tensions. As such, option c is less likely to be correct.
Finally, option d states that the British widened divisions that already existed between Muslim and Hindu groups through partitioning. This aligns with the historical events discussed earlier, making option d a plausible answer.
Based on the evidence, option b and option d both explain how the British stoked religious divisions in India by partitioning areas to separate Muslim and Hindu populations. Either of these options can be considered as correct answers, as they describe the historical context accurately.