Reforms under Lord Dalhousie | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

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After William Bentinck, Lord Auckland (1836-42) became Governor-General. The First Afghan War 
(1836-42) was fought during his administration. Due to his failure in Afghanistan he was recalled 
in 1842. Lord Ellenborough (1842-44) succeeded him and ended the Afghan War. He also annexed 
the Sindh. His successor, Lord Hardinge (1844-48) fought the first Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) and 
concluded the Treaty of Lahore. 
Lord Dalhousie (1848 – 1856)  
He was the youngest Governor-General of India when he assumed charge at the age of 36 in 1848. 
He was a great annexationist. He followed the policy of annexation by waging wars. He annexed 
the Punjab and Lower Burma by war. He adopted the policy of Doctrine of Lapse for the 
establishment of British Imperialism in India. At the same time he also laid the foundation for the 
modernization of India. 
Doctrine of Lapse (Becomes the property of the British in India) : 
Every Hindu has a right to adopt a male child as his heir in the absence of a natural heir. The 
adopted son enjoys all the rights and privileges. He shares all the responsibilities as a natural heir 
to his father. In the beginning, the English accepted this right of Hindu native rulers without any 
hesitation. When Lord Dalhousie became the Governor-General he used the Doctrine of Lapse to 
extend the British power. There were three categories of Indian States at that time, namely, 
creations, dependents and independent States. 
? Creations: They were created by the English. The rulers of these States were not allowed 
to adopt heirs to their thrones. 
? Dependents: These States existed by depend in on the British power. They were bound to 
seek permission of the English in case of adoption. They could be granted or refused. 
? Independent States: The rulers of these states were free to adopt their heirs. But the heirs 
could succeed to the personal property only and not to the throne. To succeed to the 
throne, they were also asked to seek the permission of the British. 
States annexed under this scheme : Applying the Doctrine of Lapse, Dalhousie annexed Satara 
(1848), Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Jhansi and Nagpur. Of these Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi were 
important ones whose annexation was not justified. 
The English earned the displeasure of the Indian rulers who became victims of this policy. They 
became strong enemies. It was one of the main causes for the revolt of 1857. The Doctrine of 
  
MODERN INDIAN HISTORY
 
   
 
BRITISH RULE
 
 
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After William Bentinck, Lord Auckland (1836-42) became Governor-General. The First Afghan War 
(1836-42) was fought during his administration. Due to his failure in Afghanistan he was recalled 
in 1842. Lord Ellenborough (1842-44) succeeded him and ended the Afghan War. He also annexed 
the Sindh. His successor, Lord Hardinge (1844-48) fought the first Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) and 
concluded the Treaty of Lahore. 
Lord Dalhousie (1848 – 1856)  
He was the youngest Governor-General of India when he assumed charge at the age of 36 in 1848. 
He was a great annexationist. He followed the policy of annexation by waging wars. He annexed 
the Punjab and Lower Burma by war. He adopted the policy of Doctrine of Lapse for the 
establishment of British Imperialism in India. At the same time he also laid the foundation for the 
modernization of India. 
Doctrine of Lapse (Becomes the property of the British in India) : 
Every Hindu has a right to adopt a male child as his heir in the absence of a natural heir. The 
adopted son enjoys all the rights and privileges. He shares all the responsibilities as a natural heir 
to his father. In the beginning, the English accepted this right of Hindu native rulers without any 
hesitation. When Lord Dalhousie became the Governor-General he used the Doctrine of Lapse to 
extend the British power. There were three categories of Indian States at that time, namely, 
creations, dependents and independent States. 
? Creations: They were created by the English. The rulers of these States were not allowed 
to adopt heirs to their thrones. 
? Dependents: These States existed by depend in on the British power. They were bound to 
seek permission of the English in case of adoption. They could be granted or refused. 
? Independent States: The rulers of these states were free to adopt their heirs. But the heirs 
could succeed to the personal property only and not to the throne. To succeed to the 
throne, they were also asked to seek the permission of the British. 
States annexed under this scheme : Applying the Doctrine of Lapse, Dalhousie annexed Satara 
(1848), Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Jhansi and Nagpur. Of these Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi were 
important ones whose annexation was not justified. 
The English earned the displeasure of the Indian rulers who became victims of this policy. They 
became strong enemies. It was one of the main causes for the revolt of 1857. The Doctrine of 
  
MODERN INDIAN HISTORY
 
   
 
BRITISH RULE
 
 
 
   
 
Lapse spread a wave of hatred against the English. There was a constant fear among the Indian 
rulers. They feared that their kingdom would be annexed. The people also began to hate the 
English. They preferred the native rulers. 
 
Railways 
The introduction railways in India inaugurated a new economic era. There were three major 
reasons for the British to take interest in its quick development. 
? Commercial - railway companies were guaranteed a minimum interest of five percent on 
their investment. The government retained the right of buying the railway at the end of 
the period of contract. 
? Defense - At the time of revolt and disturbance, movement of the forces was much easier 
? Administrative 
The first railway line connecting Bombay with Thane was opened in 1853.  Railway lines 
connecting from Calcutta to the Raniganj coal-fields was opened in 1854.  Another line from 
Madras to Arakkonam in 1856. 
Telegraph 
Telegraph brought marvelous changes in communication 
system. Experimental telegraph line was established 
between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour in 1850. The 
construction of 4,000 miles (6,400 km) of telegraph lines 
was started in November 1853. 
Postal Service 
The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by 
Lord Dalhousie. A new Post Office Act was passed in 1854. 
Irrespective of the distance over which the letter was sent, 
a uniform rate of half an anna per post card was charged 
throughout India.  Postage stamps were introduced for the 
first time. 
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After William Bentinck, Lord Auckland (1836-42) became Governor-General. The First Afghan War 
(1836-42) was fought during his administration. Due to his failure in Afghanistan he was recalled 
in 1842. Lord Ellenborough (1842-44) succeeded him and ended the Afghan War. He also annexed 
the Sindh. His successor, Lord Hardinge (1844-48) fought the first Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) and 
concluded the Treaty of Lahore. 
Lord Dalhousie (1848 – 1856)  
He was the youngest Governor-General of India when he assumed charge at the age of 36 in 1848. 
He was a great annexationist. He followed the policy of annexation by waging wars. He annexed 
the Punjab and Lower Burma by war. He adopted the policy of Doctrine of Lapse for the 
establishment of British Imperialism in India. At the same time he also laid the foundation for the 
modernization of India. 
Doctrine of Lapse (Becomes the property of the British in India) : 
Every Hindu has a right to adopt a male child as his heir in the absence of a natural heir. The 
adopted son enjoys all the rights and privileges. He shares all the responsibilities as a natural heir 
to his father. In the beginning, the English accepted this right of Hindu native rulers without any 
hesitation. When Lord Dalhousie became the Governor-General he used the Doctrine of Lapse to 
extend the British power. There were three categories of Indian States at that time, namely, 
creations, dependents and independent States. 
? Creations: They were created by the English. The rulers of these States were not allowed 
to adopt heirs to their thrones. 
? Dependents: These States existed by depend in on the British power. They were bound to 
seek permission of the English in case of adoption. They could be granted or refused. 
? Independent States: The rulers of these states were free to adopt their heirs. But the heirs 
could succeed to the personal property only and not to the throne. To succeed to the 
throne, they were also asked to seek the permission of the British. 
States annexed under this scheme : Applying the Doctrine of Lapse, Dalhousie annexed Satara 
(1848), Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Jhansi and Nagpur. Of these Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi were 
important ones whose annexation was not justified. 
The English earned the displeasure of the Indian rulers who became victims of this policy. They 
became strong enemies. It was one of the main causes for the revolt of 1857. The Doctrine of 
  
MODERN INDIAN HISTORY
 
   
 
BRITISH RULE
 
 
 
   
 
Lapse spread a wave of hatred against the English. There was a constant fear among the Indian 
rulers. They feared that their kingdom would be annexed. The people also began to hate the 
English. They preferred the native rulers. 
 
Railways 
The introduction railways in India inaugurated a new economic era. There were three major 
reasons for the British to take interest in its quick development. 
? Commercial - railway companies were guaranteed a minimum interest of five percent on 
their investment. The government retained the right of buying the railway at the end of 
the period of contract. 
? Defense - At the time of revolt and disturbance, movement of the forces was much easier 
? Administrative 
The first railway line connecting Bombay with Thane was opened in 1853.  Railway lines 
connecting from Calcutta to the Raniganj coal-fields was opened in 1854.  Another line from 
Madras to Arakkonam in 1856. 
Telegraph 
Telegraph brought marvelous changes in communication 
system. Experimental telegraph line was established 
between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour in 1850. The 
construction of 4,000 miles (6,400 km) of telegraph lines 
was started in November 1853. 
Postal Service 
The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by 
Lord Dalhousie. A new Post Office Act was passed in 1854. 
Irrespective of the distance over which the letter was sent, 
a uniform rate of half an anna per post card was charged 
throughout India.  Postage stamps were introduced for the 
first time. 
 
   
 
Public Works Department 
Before the period of Dalhousie, the job of the Public Works Department was done by the Military 
Board. Dalhousie created a separate Public Works Department and allotted more funds for 
cutting canals and roads.  The Upper Ganges Canal was completed in 1854. The Grand Trunk Road 
connecting Calcutta and Peshawar were constructed. 
Educational Reforms 
Lord Dalhousie introduced certain educational reforms on the basis of the Sir Charles Woods’ 
Despatch of 1854.  He took steps to establish universities at Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. They 
were opened in 1857. Vernacular (local language) 
instruction was given more importance. Dalhousie 
introduced the grants-in-aid scheme to help the 
private institutions. 
Wood’s Dispatch of 1854 
? Primary schools- vernacular languages 
? High schools- Anglo vernacular language  
? College level- English medium for education. 
? Vocational and women's education was promoted. 
? Important effect on spreading English learning and female education in India. 
 
 
 
 
Charter Act of 1853 
Charter Act 1853 was passed in the British Parliament to renew the East India Company’s 
charter. This act did not mention the time period for which the company charter was being 
renewed. Appointment was to be done only by open competition based on merit and was open 
to all – Open Civil Services