From the 16th century on, there were many local rulers.

Would, say, India have done as well left to its local rulers?

The local ruler was now master of life and death.

He brought a message of good will from the Pope to the local rulers.

It will be held by the strongest of the local rulers.

These were each ruled by local rulers under the protection of the British.

In reality the British still controlled the state as they had control over the local ruler.

The churches of each area had a local ruler who came under the Pope.

The Company continued to experience resistance from local rulers during its expansion.

Land was bought from the local rulers and plantations were set up.