Technology and infrastructure played pivotal roles in imperial control and economic extraction. Railways, telegraphs, roads, and ports were developed in many colonies. While these developments modernised territories and improved communication and transportation, their primary purpose was to facilitate resource extraction and move troops quickly. For instance, the railways in India weren't designed for the convenience of Indians but to move raw materials to ports for export and to ensure rapid deployment of troops to quell any uprisings. The Suez Canal is another example, serving as a strategic route for British naval dominance and quicker access to its Asian colonies. Thus, while infrastructure and technology brought some local benefits, their primary design and intent were to serve the empire's interests.

Religion was a complex issue for imperial powers. In some cases, they adopted a policy of religious tolerance to avoid uprisings and gain the loyalty of local elites. For instance, the British in India largely allowed religious practices to continue unhindered, although they did occasionally intervene in religious matters, leading to discontent. In other instances, mission-driven empires, particularly in Africa, encouraged or supported missionary activities to propagate Christianity. These missions, while providing education and health services, also became tools of cultural assimilation. However, in regions where religion was closely tied to governance and law, such as in parts of the Muslim world, empires had to tread carefully to balance their objectives with religious sensitivities.

While imperialism brought with it significant challenges and ethical dilemmas, there were instances where local populations derived some benefits. Infrastructure development, albeit designed for imperial interests, did modernise many regions. Education, while serving as a tool for cultural imperialism, also produced a class of educated individuals who would later become leaders and reformers. Health services, administrative reforms, and legal structures introduced by empires often improved living standards or provided a semblance of order in regions previously marred by internal strife. However, it's crucial to balance these observations with the understanding that for many, the costs of imperialism—cultural erosion, economic exploitation, and loss of autonomy—far outweighed such benefits.

Education was a vital tool in the imperial arsenal. Imperial powers often established or modified educational systems in their colonies to propagate their own values, language, and cultural norms. For instance, in British colonies, English became the medium of instruction, and curricula often glorified British history and values while sidelining or misrepresenting indigenous cultures. This was a form of cultural imperialism, aimed at producing a class of locals who were 'British in taste, in opinions, in morals, and in intellect', as Thomas Babington Macaulay famously put it. Through education, empires hoped to create a loyal elite that would uphold and propagate imperial interests, facilitating smoother administration and control.

Yes, some imperial powers, notably the British Empire, employed a blend of both direct and indirect rule depending on the region and its strategic significance. In Africa, for instance, areas like Nigeria saw indirect rule through local chieftains, while directly ruled regions could be found in places like Kenya. This blended approach often stemmed from practical considerations, such as the presence of established governance structures or the need for efficient administration. Territories under indirect rule might retain more of their indigenous culture, but were still under the influence of imperial directives. Directly ruled areas experienced more profound changes, with greater cultural and administrative impositions. This mosaic of rule styles could lead to disparate development and varying degrees of cultural assimilation within the same empire.