Theory question 110
Colonial Administration(a) Explain the term Indirect Rule.
(b) Why was the policy criticized?
Show the model answer
Model answer
(a) Indirect rule was the British system of governing colonies through existing traditional rulers and institutions, under the supervision of British officers.
(b) Any of:
1. Made chiefs autocratic and unaccountable to their people.
2. Neglected and excluded the educated elite.
3. Imposed warrant chiefs where there were no chiefs (failed in the East: Aba Women's Riot 1929).
4. Delayed modernisation and Western education.
5. Encouraged ethnic division and separatism.
6. Chiefs became tools of colonial exploitation (taxes, forced labour).
7. Delayed national unity and nationalism.
Explanation
For (b) include examples like the 1929 Aba women's riot.