Local rulers who descended from Mughals were largely considered natives. Taking Siraj-ud-Daulah as example, it's true that the Local population was happy to see him go(at least the non Muslims were) but he was definitely considered a native, especially when compared to Europeans.
The key difference I was trying to highlight with my comment was assimilation vs extraction. By early 19th century, it was pretty clear among British polity that India is to be treated as a colony for resource extraction and nothing more.
The key difference I was trying to highlight with my comment was assimilation vs extraction. By early 19th century, it was pretty clear among British polity that India is to be treated as a colony for resource extraction and nothing more.