What is Indirect Rule?
Indirect Rule is a British system of ruling her colonies through intermediaries; traditional rulers or appointees using traditional laws and customs with British officials.
The resident and district officers played a vital role as they supervised and guided the traditional rulers in the administration of their people.
Features of British System of Indirect Rule:
(i) The system of British administration in her colonies was Indirect rule.
(ii) Indirect rule made use of traditional rulers.
(iii) The chiefs ruled their people through traditional laws and customs. Native laws and customs were applied in the administration, though they must not contradict British law.
(iv) It regarded all the people in the colonies as subjects.
(v) Education was thrown open to all the people in the colonies.
(vi) The system made the people pay taxes and rates. The traditional rulers collected taxes and rates from the people.
(vii) It used decentralized administration. Each territory was ruled differently.
(viii) Educated elites were excluded from administration.
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