By the time of Dalhousie’s resignation, the British imperialist forces had conquered vast territory of Indian land and created a system of governance that —
(A) Ended the anarchy spread across the country in the 18th century.
(B) Politically united the people of India.
(C) Became an empire incomparable in terms of expansion, opulence and resources.
(D) Because of its size became unmanageable.

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (A), (B), (C)
Explanation:
→ Statement (A): "Ended the anarchy spread across the country in the 18th century." This is true. By the time of Dalhousie’s resignation, the British had successfully established a more centralized system of governance, which helped to end the widespread chaos and fragmentation that existed in India during the 18th century following the decline of the Mughal Empire.
→ Statement (B): "Politically united the people of India." This is also true. The British colonial system helped create a unified political structure in India, connecting various regions and peoples through administrative and infrastructural reforms like the railways, telecommunication, and the introduction of a single legal framework.
→ Statement (C): "Became an empire incomparable in terms of expansion, opulence and resources." This is true as well. By the time of Dalhousie's resignation in 1856, the British Empire in India had grown enormously in terms of territory, wealth, and resources. It was one of the largest empires in history, and its colonial wealth greatly contributed to Britain's global influence.
Information Booster:
→ The British consolidation of power in India was largely accomplished during the tenure of Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856), who introduced numerous reforms aimed at creating a stable and unified empire.
→ Key reforms during Dalhousie’s rule included the introduction of the railway system, postal services, and the expansion of British rule in the Punjab, Sindh, and Awadh.
→ The British also introduced a system of land revenue collection that brought a degree of uniformity to administration, even though it caused significant hardship for many Indians.
→ Despite these unifying factors, the vast and diverse nature of India meant that the empire was difficult to govern, especially with the tensions arising from policies that ignored the interests of local rulers and communities.
→ The rebellion of 1857 highlighted the growing discontent with British rule and was in part a result of the imperial forces overextending their control over various regions and peoples.
→ By the time of Dalhousie’s resignation, Britain had created an empire in India that was unmatched in terms of its resources, though the seeds of resistance were beginning to show.