What do you think the English official meant when he talked of British Rule being like a sponge?

like a sponge means that the British wanted all the goods of India to be transmitted to Britain

Explanation:

Historians emphasize that ruling India has brought immense benefits to Britain. Large population of India, served beneficial human resources and made it into an appealing market for the Britishers. The Indian Army was perhaps the biggest single force in Britain. The Indian market was also significant for the end-use of British products. The army invested about 40 percent of India 's resources. The army was employed around the world by Britain. Therefore the statement of the British officials justified in the sense that they used India to soak all the benefits from it.

explanation:

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jewish people, gypsies, and political opponents.