Contents show
Doctrine of Lapse
- This policy is introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1848.
- According to Hindu Succession Rule if a ruler doesn’t have a male heir he can adopt a son and make him as his Successor.
- But according to this policy if a ruler died without male heir his territory would come under British Administration and the adopted son would get only personal properties but not the power of ruling.
- Many states in India annexed by British using this policy.
Annexation
- In 1848 Satara was the first state which annexed under this policy followed by Jaipur in 1849, Jhansi in 1853 and Nagpur in 1854.
- As a result large part of central provinces came under British rule.
- This province governed by Chief Commissioner from 1861 onwards.
- The Doctrine of Lapse was one of the Root Causes for Great Revolt 1857.
Annexation by Misgovernment 1856
- From Warren Hastings, many Governor General advised Nawabs of Awadh to improve their administration but misrule continued.
- Nawab assumed that due to his loyalty towards British, it will not annex the Awadh.
- But in 1856 Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the ground of Misgovernment and Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was pensioned off.
- This annexation offended the Muslim elite and soldiers because many of the soldiers for the British Indian troops came from Awadh.
- After annexation the soldiers were treated as equal with the rest of population but before that they had high status in the society.
- So this event also contributed for the Great Revolt 1857.