<P> Indirect rule is a system of government used by the British and French to control parts of their colonial empires, particularly in Africa and Asia, through pre-existing local power structures . These dependencies were often called "protectorates" or "trucial states". By this system, the day - to - day government and administration of areas both small and large was left in the hands of traditional rulers, who gained prestige and the stability and protection afforded by the Pax Britannica, at the cost of losing control of their external affairs, and often of taxation, communications, and other matters, usually with a small number of European "advisors" effectively overseeing the government of large numbers of people spread over extensive areas . </P> <P> Some British colonies were ruled directly by the Colonial Office in London, while others were ruled indirectly through local rulers who are supervised behind the scenes by British advisors . In 1890 Zanzibar became a protectorate (not a colony) of Britain . Prime minister Salisbury explained his position: </P>

In what way did the british implement control in west asia