In fact, they were not. They abolished thugee and sutee, with the result that the population increased.
The white man comes and saves all! Such an old cliche and still followed ardently

(Even in Avatar, a white handicap man has to come and save the natives

)
OM, google Jalianwallah Bagh and please dont tell me Britain was full of Gentlemen with refined behaviour in the past ages.
The British with their divide and rule policy ensured that Hindus and muslims always live in mistrust.