Question

Explain the features of the Doctrine of Lapse.

Answer 1

Instructions: Explain the following points:

• Who introduced it?
• When was it introduced?
• What are the terms of the policy?

Solution:

• Dalhousie became the Governor-General of India in 1848 and made an attempt to integrate Indian princely states with the British Empire.
• He introduced the Doctrine of Lapse policy which states that the adopted children of Indian Kings were refused of their right to throne.
• According to this policy, “If any Indian ruler dies without children, their adopted children had no legal right over the throne”. In such a situation, that state would get merged with the British Empire.
• Princely states like Satara, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Jhansi, Jaipur came under this policy.