Doctrine of Lapse

The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy implemented by the British East India Company in India during the 19th century. It was a means for the British to annex Indian states and expand their control over the subcontinent. The doctrine was based on the principle that if a ruler of an Indian state died without a male heir, the state would automatically be annexed by the British.

Subsidiary Alliance

The Subsidiary Alliance was another policy introduced by the British East India Company in India. It aimed to establish British control over princely states without directly annexing them. Under this policy, the British would enter into alliances with Indian rulers, offering them protection from external threats in exchange for control over their external relations and the stationing of British troops in their territories.

Doctrine of Lapse vs. Subsidiary Alliance

1. Implementation:
- The Doctrine of Lapse was implemented when a ruler of an Indian state died without a male heir, leading to the annexation of the state.
- The Subsidiary Alliance was implemented through voluntary alliances between the British and Indian rulers, with the British providing protection in exchange for control.

2. Annexation:
- The Doctrine of Lapse resulted in the direct annexation of Indian states by the British.
- The Subsidiary Alliance allowed the British to exercise indirect control over Indian states without formally annexing them.

3. Succession:
- The Doctrine of Lapse disregarded the traditional Indian practice of allowing adoption to ensure a successor to the throne.
- The Subsidiary Alliance did not interfere with the succession practices of Indian states.

4. Expansion of British Control:
- The Doctrine of Lapse allowed the British to rapidly expand their control over Indian territories by annexing states.
- The Subsidiary Alliance enabled the British to gradually establish dominance over Indian states by manipulating their external relations and stationing troops.

5. Resistance:
- The Doctrine of Lapse faced significant resistance from Indian rulers and led to several uprisings against British rule.
- The Subsidiary Alliance also faced opposition, but to a lesser extent, as it allowed Indian rulers to retain their internal autonomy.

In conclusion, the Doctrine of Lapse and Subsidiary Alliance were two policies employed by the British East India Company to expand their control over India. While the Doctrine of Lapse involved direct annexation of Indian states upon the death of a ruler without a male heir, the Subsidiary Alliance sought to establish indirect control through voluntary alliances and manipulation of external relations. Both policies faced resistance, but the Doctrine of Lapse was particularly contentious due to its disregard for traditional succession practices.