Goa, Aug. 26 -- RADHARAO F GRACIAS

As we enter the eightieth year since independ ence the cliche that 'the British followed the divide and rule policy' becomes even more strident. But did they have to divide to rule? Let us investigate. Officially, 565 princely States woven into India, ex isted at the time of partition 1947. The Nawabs, Sultans, Rajas and Maharajas predate the arrival of the British by centuries; they were subdued into semi-autonomous terri tories under indirect British Rule via subsidiary alliances; they had no sovereignty and no armed forces. They cov ered 40% of the land area and held 23% of the popu lation. Did the British create these kingdoms even before they reached Indian shores? Or did the British, finding an In...