→Lord Dalhousie who was the governer - general from 1848 to 1856 device a policy the doctor of lapse.
→The Doctrine declared that if an Indian ruler died without a male hire his Kingdom would lapse that is become part of company territory.
→Many kingdoms were annexed simply by applying this doctor Satara 1848 ,Sambalpur 1850 ,Udaipur 1852 ,Nagpur 1853, and Jhansi 1854.
→Finally, in 1856, the company also to cover Awadh.
→This time the British said that they were obliged by duty to take over awadh in order to free the people from the "mis government" of the Nawab.
→Enraged by the humiliation, the people of award pin the greatest revolt that broke out in 1857.

Introduction

Lord Dalhousie, as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, played a significant role in expanding British territories in India. His policies and initiatives aimed at consolidating British control over various regions and implementing administrative and infrastructural reforms. Let us explore how Lord Dalhousie expanded the British territories in India.

Doctrine of Lapse

One of Dalhousie's most significant policies was the Doctrine of Lapse, which allowed the British East India Company to annex Indian states if they lacked a male heir or adopted an heir without the Company's approval. This policy enabled the British to annex several princely states, such as Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur, thereby expanding their territories.

Annexation of Punjab

Dalhousie also played a crucial role in the annexation of Punjab. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Punjab region was engulfed in political turmoil. Dalhousie took advantage of the instability and annexed Punjab through the Anglo-Sikh Wars in 1845-1846 and 1848-1849. This annexation further extended British territories in India.

Annexation of Oudh

Dalhousie justified the annexation of Oudh (present-day Uttar Pradesh) in 1856 by claiming misrule and maladministration. He accused the ruling Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of incompetence and annexed the region, bringing it under direct British control. This expansion further strengthened British territories.

Infrastructure Development

Dalhousie also focused on infrastructure development, which indirectly expanded British territories. He introduced railways, telegraph lines, and modern postal systems, connecting various regions and facilitating efficient administration and communication. These developments contributed to the consolidation of British control over India.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lord Dalhousie expanded the British territories in India through policies like the Doctrine of Lapse, annexation of Punjab and Oudh, and infrastructure development. His actions not only increased British control over Indian territories but also laid the foundation for the British Raj. Dalhousie's tenure as Governor-General had a lasting impact on the territorial and administrative landscape of India.