Doctrine of Lapse was the policy devised by the Governor General of th...
Doctrine of Lapse and its Deviser
The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy implemented by the Governor General of the East India Company in India during the British Raj. It was based on the idea that if a ruler of a dependent state died without a male heir, the right to rule over that state would revert or "lapse" to the sovereign, which in this case was the British government.
The Deviser of the Doctrine
The Doctrine of Lapse was devised by Lord Dalhousie, who served as the Governor General of India from 1848 to 1856. Lord Dalhousie was known for his aggressive policies of annexation and consolidation of British power in India. The Doctrine of Lapse was one of his most significant and controversial policies during his tenure.
Reasoning behind the Doctrine
The Doctrine of Lapse was motivated by several reasons. First, it was seen as a means to prevent the consolidation of power by Indian rulers and to maintain British control over the subcontinent. By annexing states that did not have a direct male heir, the British government could ensure that these territories would not become independent or fall into the hands of rival native rulers.
Second, the Doctrine was also justified on the grounds of promoting social reforms and modernization in the annexed states. Lord Dalhousie believed that the British government could provide better governance and bring about progress in areas such as education, infrastructure, and administration.
Implementation and Consequences
Under the Doctrine of Lapse, several Indian states were annexed by the British government. Some notable examples include the annexation of Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur, and Awadh. These annexations were met with resistance and protests from the Indian rulers and their subjects, leading to conflicts and uprisings.
The Doctrine of Lapse was highly controversial and criticized by many, both in India and Britain. It was seen as a violation of the rights of Indian rulers and a disregard for their cultural and political autonomy. The policy also fueled resentment and discontent among the Indian population, contributing to the growing nationalist movement and eventual struggle for independence.
In conclusion, the Doctrine of Lapse was a policy devised by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General of the East India Company in India. It aimed to annex states in India that did not have a direct male heir, thereby consolidating British control and promoting social reforms. However, the policy was met with opposition and had long-lasting consequences in shaping the Indian nationalist movement.
Doctrine of Lapse was the policy devised by the Governor General of th...
- The Doctrine of Lapse was implemented by Lord Dalhousie, who was the Governor General for the East India Company in India between 1848 and 1856.
- As per the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’, if any ruler of a princely state died without a natural heir, the states’ authority will pass to the British East India Company.
- Under the terms of the doctrine of lapse, the Company annexed many princely states viz. Satara (1848), Jaipur and Sambalpur (Odisha) (1849), Nagpur and Jhansi (1854), Tanjore and Arcot (1855), Udaipur (Chhattisgarh) and Oudh (1856).
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 8 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 8.