Question

What was the policy of Doctrine of Lapse?

• A. Company took over territories forcefully by waging wars.
• B. Company took over territories where the rulers asked the British government for help.
• C. Company took over territories from rulers who were not efficient to rule by themselves.
• D. Company took over territories that did not have natural heir.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The doctrine of Lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie. This was introduced mainly to extend the British Empire. According to the Doctrine of lapse, if a ruler of a dependent state in India died and did not have a male successor, his adopted son would not be his true successor. Hence the empire would be annexed by the Britishers.