Many nations from Europe and Asia (Including Arabs) tried to colonise India. They all failed, except the British. The French, The Dutch, the Danish, the Portugese all Failed. The British weapons were not just the sword and gun, they also won the hearts and minds of the people.
The British never amputated Indians (cut off the arms or legs or noses or ears) as opposed to the local rulers including Tipu Sultan. Tipu used to cut off the noses of his own people for commiting xyz crimes. All local rulers used physical punishments which were close to butchery.
For the first time in the history of India, British introduced tolerance and relatively humane punishments like hanging to death which does not involve bloodshed. For other serious crimes, they started Kala Pani (Andaman Islands) which was an overseas prison for Indians. They spent a huge fortune on these prisons but did not execute the prisoners. Only in 1857 and a few such serious uprisings, they blew up people from guns but even those officers did not go to senior ranks (except one or two cases).
As compared to other nations, the British never insulted the Religions or the places of worship. When Sikhs occupied the cities like Peshawar and Lahore etc, they dishonoured the Mosques. Like Sikhs, other European nations did not show tolerance for different religions of India.
The Dutch (Geert Wilders and his party in particular) seem to be repeating the same mistakes that they committed in India a few centuries ago by allowing the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). They are making it much harder for the moderates among the Muslims to continue their struggle against extremism.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/973579/anti-islam-geert-wilders-party-for-freedom-drawing-mohammed-competition-netherlands
The
Northamptonshire Regiment on the march in Waziristan in 1936. The
British fought dozens of battles in Pakistan's tribal areas like
Waziristan and other places. These battles were tough and both sides
admired the CHIVALRY that existed in those times.
The British even offered medical aides to the injured Pathan fighters at the end of the battles because they admired them.
The British even offered medical aides to the injured Pathan fighters at the end of the battles because they admired them.
The maximum punishment that British would give to the tribals was to
raze and destroy thier villages, take away their cattle and other
property. This was cruel but not barbaric. They did not execute women
and children. They did not attack innocent civilians.
The British even ensured that the tribals would know that "Army is Coming". This way the villages would be deserted by the tribals and the Army would not have to fight elderly, women or sick or children. They allowed people the time to go away and hide in the mountains. The Army would then proceed to either burn or destroy the houses.
This was the reason that the British ruled India for more than 200 years but other European nations could not rule even for a few years.
The British even ensured that the tribals would know that "Army is Coming". This way the villages would be deserted by the tribals and the Army would not have to fight elderly, women or sick or children. They allowed people the time to go away and hide in the mountains. The Army would then proceed to either burn or destroy the houses.
This was the reason that the British ruled India for more than 200 years but other European nations could not rule even for a few years.
