What does the following sentence mean: "in direct rule sowed the seeds for class and ethnic tensions"?

Plant usually germinate from seeds, when a seed is planted, a tree usually results. Thus, the sentence, 'Indirect rule sowed the seeds for class and ethnic tensions means that, indirect rule was the factor that bring about class and ethnic tension; it is the root cause and reason why class and ethnic tensions occurred. Indirect rule is the one that give birth to class and ethnic tension.