CBSE Class 8 Answered

The company was an alien power and did not have adequate knowledge of the local administration and set up. It thus needed the support of the local rulers who had ruled the countryside in the past as they were aware of the local practises, people's way of working, customs and habits. Completely eliminating the past local rulers would have resulted in the problem for the Company in terms of not only managing people but also would have created a lot of enemies as local rulers had enjoyed authority and prestige. Thus, it was difficult task for the East India Company to eliminate the past rulers of the countryside.