Colonialism changed states with and without Sultans in different ways. In states with Sultans, the British allowed the Sultan to stay as a leader but took away most of their power. The British made decisions through their advisors, called Residents, who controlled important matters. The Sultan could still lead in cultural and traditional ways, but they couldn’t make big decisions about the government. In states without Sultans, the British took full control. There were no kings or strong local leaders, so the British made all the decisions themselves. Changes happened more quickly in these places because the British had full power without anyone challenging them.

Without a Sultan, leaders were chosen based on skills, not just family. This gave the state a chance to grow and change faster. It also meant the British could work directly with local leaders, making decisions clearer. However, without a strong leader like a Sultan, there was no one to bring people together. The British controlled everything, and local leaders had little power to make their own choices. The lack of a Sultan also meant that important cultural tradition

could fade away because there was no royal figure to protect them.