Who among the following devised a policy that came to be known as the Doctrine of Lapse?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. Lord Dalhousie.
The Doctrine of Lapse was devised by Lord Dalhousie, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. This policy stated that if an Indian ruler died without a natural heir, their kingdom would be annexed by the British East India Company. It disregarded the Indian tradition of adopting heirs. Several states like Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur were annexed under this doctrine. This aggressive annexation policy caused widespread resentment among Indian rulers and significantly contributed to the unrest that led to the Revolt of 1857. Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse marked a turning point in colonial expansion in India.