TN History Textbook: Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856) | Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Lord Dalhousie was the youngest
Governor-General of India when he assumed
charge at the age of 36 in 1848. His early career
was remarkable. He studied in Christ Church,
Oxford. He became Member of Parliament and
enjoyed the confidence of Sir Robert Peel, the
Prime Minister of England. He did much for the
progress of railway construction in England as
the president of the Board of Trade. In 1847, he
was offered the Governor-Generalship of India which he accepted
and arrived at Calcutta in January 1848.
Policy of Annexation
The most important aspect of Dalhousie’s administration is related
to “the great drama of annexation”. His aims for expanding the
Company’s territories were administrative, imperial, commercial and
LESSON 6
LORD DALHOUSIE (1848-1856)
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. Dalhousie’s policy of annexation.
2. Annexation of Punjab and Lower Burma.
3. Doctrine of Lapse, its application to Indian states.
4. Annexation of Oudh on the pretext of misrule.
5. Dalhousie’s domestic reforms including the
introduction of railways and telegraphs.
6. His educational and other reforms.
LORD DALHOUSIE
56
Page 2


Lord Dalhousie was the youngest
Governor-General of India when he assumed
charge at the age of 36 in 1848. His early career
was remarkable. He studied in Christ Church,
Oxford. He became Member of Parliament and
enjoyed the confidence of Sir Robert Peel, the
Prime Minister of England. He did much for the
progress of railway construction in England as
the president of the Board of Trade. In 1847, he
was offered the Governor-Generalship of India which he accepted
and arrived at Calcutta in January 1848.
Policy of Annexation
The most important aspect of Dalhousie’s administration is related
to “the great drama of annexation”. His aims for expanding the
Company’s territories were administrative, imperial, commercial and
LESSON 6
LORD DALHOUSIE (1848-1856)
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. Dalhousie’s policy of annexation.
2. Annexation of Punjab and Lower Burma.
3. Doctrine of Lapse, its application to Indian states.
4. Annexation of Oudh on the pretext of misrule.
5. Dalhousie’s domestic reforms including the
introduction of railways and telegraphs.
6. His educational and other reforms.
LORD DALHOUSIE
56
financial. Although he used different reasons for annexation, his main
objective was to end misrule in the annexed states, as in the case of the
annexation of Oudh. He aimed at providing the beneficent administration
to the people of the annexed states. At the same time he had in his mind
the advantages of annexation to the British such as imperial defence,
commercial and financial benefits. Though Dalhousie did not come to
India to follow a policy of annexation, but he was able to consolidate
British rule in India by his policy of annexation. His great annexations
include the Punjab, Lower Burma, most of the Central Provinces and
Oudh.
Annexation of Punjab
At the end of the second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, Punjab was
annexed by Dalhousie. He organized the administration of Punjab very
efficiently. The province was divided into small districts under the control
of District Officers who were called Deputy Commissioners. These
commissioners with the help of their assistants came into close contact
with people. Revenue and judicial departments were combined to secure
concentration of power and responsibility. The laws and procedure were
simplified in accordance with the custom of the people. The overall
administration of Punjab was entrusted to the Chief Commissioner. In
fact, the Governor-General was the virtual ruler of Punjab. The services
of Lawrence brothers in the administration of Punjab were notable.
Within three years perfect order was restored in the province. It was
efficiently defended from internal and external enemies. In 1859, Sir
John Lawrence became the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.
Second Burmese War and the Annexation of Lower Burma
In 1852, commercial disputes in Rangoon prompted new hostilities
between the British and the Burmese. After the end of the second
Burmese War (1852), Dalhousie annexed Lower Burma with its
capital at Pegu. Major Arthur Phayre was appointed the Commissioner
of the new province. His administration also proved to be efficient. The
annexation of Lower Burma proved beneficial to Britain. Rangoon,
Britain’s most valuable acquisition from the war became one of the biggest
ports in Asia.
Doctrine of Lapse
Dalhousie also took advantage of every opportunity to acquire
territory by peaceful means. The East India Company was rapidly
becoming the predominant power in India. It had concluded alliances
with Indian rulers. It promised to support them and their heirs in return
for various concessions. Although this type of agreement favoured the
British, Dalhousie sought to acquire even more power. According to the
Hindu Law, one can adopt a son in case of no male heir to inherit the
property. The question arose whether a Hindu ruler, holding his state
subordinate to the paramount power, could adopt a son to succeed his
kingdom. It was customary for a ruler without a natural heir to ask the
British Government whether he could adopt a son to succeed him.
According to Dalhousie, if such permission was refused by the British,
the state would “lapse” and thereby become part of the British India.
Dalhousie maintained that there was a difference in principle between
the right to inherit private property and the right to govern. This principle
was called the Doctrine of Lapse.
The Doctrine of Lapse was applied by Dalhousie to Satara and it
was annexed in 1848. Jhansi and Nagpur were annexed in 1854. As a
result of these annexations, a large part of the Central Provinces came
under the British rule. The new province was governed by a Chief
Commissioner from 1861.
Although the Doctrine of Lapse cannot be regarded as illegal, its
application by Dalhousie was disliked by Indian princes. The advantages
of the annexations of Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur were substantial to the
British. Dalhousie was blamed for using the Doctrine of Lapse as an
instrument in pursuing his policy of annexation. After the Mutiny of 1857,
the doctrine of lapse was withdrawn.
57 58
Page 3


Lord Dalhousie was the youngest
Governor-General of India when he assumed
charge at the age of 36 in 1848. His early career
was remarkable. He studied in Christ Church,
Oxford. He became Member of Parliament and
enjoyed the confidence of Sir Robert Peel, the
Prime Minister of England. He did much for the
progress of railway construction in England as
the president of the Board of Trade. In 1847, he
was offered the Governor-Generalship of India which he accepted
and arrived at Calcutta in January 1848.
Policy of Annexation
The most important aspect of Dalhousie’s administration is related
to “the great drama of annexation”. His aims for expanding the
Company’s territories were administrative, imperial, commercial and
LESSON 6
LORD DALHOUSIE (1848-1856)
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. Dalhousie’s policy of annexation.
2. Annexation of Punjab and Lower Burma.
3. Doctrine of Lapse, its application to Indian states.
4. Annexation of Oudh on the pretext of misrule.
5. Dalhousie’s domestic reforms including the
introduction of railways and telegraphs.
6. His educational and other reforms.
LORD DALHOUSIE
56
financial. Although he used different reasons for annexation, his main
objective was to end misrule in the annexed states, as in the case of the
annexation of Oudh. He aimed at providing the beneficent administration
to the people of the annexed states. At the same time he had in his mind
the advantages of annexation to the British such as imperial defence,
commercial and financial benefits. Though Dalhousie did not come to
India to follow a policy of annexation, but he was able to consolidate
British rule in India by his policy of annexation. His great annexations
include the Punjab, Lower Burma, most of the Central Provinces and
Oudh.
Annexation of Punjab
At the end of the second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, Punjab was
annexed by Dalhousie. He organized the administration of Punjab very
efficiently. The province was divided into small districts under the control
of District Officers who were called Deputy Commissioners. These
commissioners with the help of their assistants came into close contact
with people. Revenue and judicial departments were combined to secure
concentration of power and responsibility. The laws and procedure were
simplified in accordance with the custom of the people. The overall
administration of Punjab was entrusted to the Chief Commissioner. In
fact, the Governor-General was the virtual ruler of Punjab. The services
of Lawrence brothers in the administration of Punjab were notable.
Within three years perfect order was restored in the province. It was
efficiently defended from internal and external enemies. In 1859, Sir
John Lawrence became the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.
Second Burmese War and the Annexation of Lower Burma
In 1852, commercial disputes in Rangoon prompted new hostilities
between the British and the Burmese. After the end of the second
Burmese War (1852), Dalhousie annexed Lower Burma with its
capital at Pegu. Major Arthur Phayre was appointed the Commissioner
of the new province. His administration also proved to be efficient. The
annexation of Lower Burma proved beneficial to Britain. Rangoon,
Britain’s most valuable acquisition from the war became one of the biggest
ports in Asia.
Doctrine of Lapse
Dalhousie also took advantage of every opportunity to acquire
territory by peaceful means. The East India Company was rapidly
becoming the predominant power in India. It had concluded alliances
with Indian rulers. It promised to support them and their heirs in return
for various concessions. Although this type of agreement favoured the
British, Dalhousie sought to acquire even more power. According to the
Hindu Law, one can adopt a son in case of no male heir to inherit the
property. The question arose whether a Hindu ruler, holding his state
subordinate to the paramount power, could adopt a son to succeed his
kingdom. It was customary for a ruler without a natural heir to ask the
British Government whether he could adopt a son to succeed him.
According to Dalhousie, if such permission was refused by the British,
the state would “lapse” and thereby become part of the British India.
Dalhousie maintained that there was a difference in principle between
the right to inherit private property and the right to govern. This principle
was called the Doctrine of Lapse.
The Doctrine of Lapse was applied by Dalhousie to Satara and it
was annexed in 1848. Jhansi and Nagpur were annexed in 1854. As a
result of these annexations, a large part of the Central Provinces came
under the British rule. The new province was governed by a Chief
Commissioner from 1861.
Although the Doctrine of Lapse cannot be regarded as illegal, its
application by Dalhousie was disliked by Indian princes. The advantages
of the annexations of Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur were substantial to the
British. Dalhousie was blamed for using the Doctrine of Lapse as an
instrument in pursuing his policy of annexation. After the Mutiny of 1857,
the doctrine of lapse was withdrawn.
57 58
Later during the Mutiny of 1857, Rani Lakshmi Bai
of Jhansi played an important role in fighting against the
British.
Annexation of Oudh
The British relations with the state of Oudh go back to the
Treaty of Allahabad in 1765. Right from Warren Hastings, many
Governor-Generals advised the Nawab of Oudh to improve the
administration. But, misrule continued there and the Nawab was under
the assumption that the British would not annex Oudh because of his
loyalty to them. In 1851, William Sleeman, Resident at Lucknow,
reported on the “spectacle of human misery and careless misrule”.
But Sleeman was against the policy of annexing Oudh. After surveying
the situation in Oudh, Dalhousie annexed it in 1856. Nawab Wajid
Ali was granted a pension of 12 lakhs of rupees per year. The annexed
territory came under the control of a Chief Commissioner.
Dalhousie’s annexation of Oudh, the last one among his
annexations, created great political danger. The annexation offended
the Muslim elite. More dangerous was the effect on the British army’s
Indian troops, many of whom came from Oudh, They had occupied a
privileged position before its annexation. Under the British
Government they were treated as equals with the rest of the
population. This is a loss of prestige for them. In these various ways,
the annexation of Oudh contributed to the Mutiny of 1857.
Domestic Reforms of Dalhousie
Dalhousie’s territorial acquisition transformed the map of India.
He was not only a conqueror but also a great administrator. The
appointment of a Lieutenant-Governor to Bengal enabled Dalhousie
concentrate on administration. His greatest achievement was the
molding of the new provinces into a modern centralized state. For
the newly acquired territories, he introduced the centralized control
called “Non-Regulation System”. Under this system a Commissioner
was appointed for a newly acquired territory. Under military reforms
Dalhousie shifted the headquarters of Bengal Artillery from Calcutta
to Meerut. Simla was made the permanent headquarters of the army.
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. The first reason was commercial. The
second main reason was administrative. The third reason was defense.
At the time of revolt and disturbance, movement of the forces was
much easier through railways. Lord Dalhousie’s contribution in the
development of railways is worth commending. In 1853, he penned
his Railway Minute formulating the future policy of railways in India.
He started the “guarantee system” by which the 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. 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 and
from Madras to Arakkonam in 1856.
The first railway in the world was opened in 1825 in
England.
Telegraph
Similarly, the use of Telegraph brought marvelous changes
in communication system. In India, Lord Dalhousie’s contribution
in this respect is commendable. In 1852, O’Shaughnessy was
appointed the Superintendent of Telegraph Department. Main cities
of the country viz., Calcutta, Peshawar, Bombay and Madras were
telegraphically connected. About 4000 miles long Telegraph lines
were laid before the departure of Dalhousie. During the 1857
Revolt, the system of telegraphic communication proved a boon
for the English and the military value of Dalhousie’s creation was
much realized at that time.
59 60
Page 4


Lord Dalhousie was the youngest
Governor-General of India when he assumed
charge at the age of 36 in 1848. His early career
was remarkable. He studied in Christ Church,
Oxford. He became Member of Parliament and
enjoyed the confidence of Sir Robert Peel, the
Prime Minister of England. He did much for the
progress of railway construction in England as
the president of the Board of Trade. In 1847, he
was offered the Governor-Generalship of India which he accepted
and arrived at Calcutta in January 1848.
Policy of Annexation
The most important aspect of Dalhousie’s administration is related
to “the great drama of annexation”. His aims for expanding the
Company’s territories were administrative, imperial, commercial and
LESSON 6
LORD DALHOUSIE (1848-1856)
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. Dalhousie’s policy of annexation.
2. Annexation of Punjab and Lower Burma.
3. Doctrine of Lapse, its application to Indian states.
4. Annexation of Oudh on the pretext of misrule.
5. Dalhousie’s domestic reforms including the
introduction of railways and telegraphs.
6. His educational and other reforms.
LORD DALHOUSIE
56
financial. Although he used different reasons for annexation, his main
objective was to end misrule in the annexed states, as in the case of the
annexation of Oudh. He aimed at providing the beneficent administration
to the people of the annexed states. At the same time he had in his mind
the advantages of annexation to the British such as imperial defence,
commercial and financial benefits. Though Dalhousie did not come to
India to follow a policy of annexation, but he was able to consolidate
British rule in India by his policy of annexation. His great annexations
include the Punjab, Lower Burma, most of the Central Provinces and
Oudh.
Annexation of Punjab
At the end of the second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, Punjab was
annexed by Dalhousie. He organized the administration of Punjab very
efficiently. The province was divided into small districts under the control
of District Officers who were called Deputy Commissioners. These
commissioners with the help of their assistants came into close contact
with people. Revenue and judicial departments were combined to secure
concentration of power and responsibility. The laws and procedure were
simplified in accordance with the custom of the people. The overall
administration of Punjab was entrusted to the Chief Commissioner. In
fact, the Governor-General was the virtual ruler of Punjab. The services
of Lawrence brothers in the administration of Punjab were notable.
Within three years perfect order was restored in the province. It was
efficiently defended from internal and external enemies. In 1859, Sir
John Lawrence became the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.
Second Burmese War and the Annexation of Lower Burma
In 1852, commercial disputes in Rangoon prompted new hostilities
between the British and the Burmese. After the end of the second
Burmese War (1852), Dalhousie annexed Lower Burma with its
capital at Pegu. Major Arthur Phayre was appointed the Commissioner
of the new province. His administration also proved to be efficient. The
annexation of Lower Burma proved beneficial to Britain. Rangoon,
Britain’s most valuable acquisition from the war became one of the biggest
ports in Asia.
Doctrine of Lapse
Dalhousie also took advantage of every opportunity to acquire
territory by peaceful means. The East India Company was rapidly
becoming the predominant power in India. It had concluded alliances
with Indian rulers. It promised to support them and their heirs in return
for various concessions. Although this type of agreement favoured the
British, Dalhousie sought to acquire even more power. According to the
Hindu Law, one can adopt a son in case of no male heir to inherit the
property. The question arose whether a Hindu ruler, holding his state
subordinate to the paramount power, could adopt a son to succeed his
kingdom. It was customary for a ruler without a natural heir to ask the
British Government whether he could adopt a son to succeed him.
According to Dalhousie, if such permission was refused by the British,
the state would “lapse” and thereby become part of the British India.
Dalhousie maintained that there was a difference in principle between
the right to inherit private property and the right to govern. This principle
was called the Doctrine of Lapse.
The Doctrine of Lapse was applied by Dalhousie to Satara and it
was annexed in 1848. Jhansi and Nagpur were annexed in 1854. As a
result of these annexations, a large part of the Central Provinces came
under the British rule. The new province was governed by a Chief
Commissioner from 1861.
Although the Doctrine of Lapse cannot be regarded as illegal, its
application by Dalhousie was disliked by Indian princes. The advantages
of the annexations of Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur were substantial to the
British. Dalhousie was blamed for using the Doctrine of Lapse as an
instrument in pursuing his policy of annexation. After the Mutiny of 1857,
the doctrine of lapse was withdrawn.
57 58
Later during the Mutiny of 1857, Rani Lakshmi Bai
of Jhansi played an important role in fighting against the
British.
Annexation of Oudh
The British relations with the state of Oudh go back to the
Treaty of Allahabad in 1765. Right from Warren Hastings, many
Governor-Generals advised the Nawab of Oudh to improve the
administration. But, misrule continued there and the Nawab was under
the assumption that the British would not annex Oudh because of his
loyalty to them. In 1851, William Sleeman, Resident at Lucknow,
reported on the “spectacle of human misery and careless misrule”.
But Sleeman was against the policy of annexing Oudh. After surveying
the situation in Oudh, Dalhousie annexed it in 1856. Nawab Wajid
Ali was granted a pension of 12 lakhs of rupees per year. The annexed
territory came under the control of a Chief Commissioner.
Dalhousie’s annexation of Oudh, the last one among his
annexations, created great political danger. The annexation offended
the Muslim elite. More dangerous was the effect on the British army’s
Indian troops, many of whom came from Oudh, They had occupied a
privileged position before its annexation. Under the British
Government they were treated as equals with the rest of the
population. This is a loss of prestige for them. In these various ways,
the annexation of Oudh contributed to the Mutiny of 1857.
Domestic Reforms of Dalhousie
Dalhousie’s territorial acquisition transformed the map of India.
He was not only a conqueror but also a great administrator. The
appointment of a Lieutenant-Governor to Bengal enabled Dalhousie
concentrate on administration. His greatest achievement was the
molding of the new provinces into a modern centralized state. For
the newly acquired territories, he introduced the centralized control
called “Non-Regulation System”. Under this system a Commissioner
was appointed for a newly acquired territory. Under military reforms
Dalhousie shifted the headquarters of Bengal Artillery from Calcutta
to Meerut. Simla was made the permanent headquarters of the army.
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. The first reason was commercial. The
second main reason was administrative. The third reason was defense.
At the time of revolt and disturbance, movement of the forces was
much easier through railways. Lord Dalhousie’s contribution in the
development of railways is worth commending. In 1853, he penned
his Railway Minute formulating the future policy of railways in India.
He started the “guarantee system” by which the 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. 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 and
from Madras to Arakkonam in 1856.
The first railway in the world was opened in 1825 in
England.
Telegraph
Similarly, the use of Telegraph brought marvelous changes
in communication system. In India, Lord Dalhousie’s contribution
in this respect is commendable. In 1852, O’Shaughnessy was
appointed the Superintendent of Telegraph Department. Main cities
of the country viz., Calcutta, Peshawar, Bombay and Madras were
telegraphically connected. About 4000 miles long Telegraph lines
were laid before the departure of Dalhousie. During the 1857
Revolt, the system of telegraphic communication proved a boon
for the English and the military value of Dalhousie’s creation was
much realized at that time.
59 60
Postal Reform
The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by
Lord Dalhousie. A new Post Office Act was passed in 1854.
Consequently, 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.
Education
Dalhousie had also evinced in the development of education. The
educational Despatch of Sir Charles Wood (1854) was considered the
“Intellectual Charter of India”. It provided an outline for the
comprehensive scheme of education at primary, secondary and collegiate
levels. Dalhousie fully accepted the views of Charles Wood and took
steps to carry out the new scheme. Departments of Public Instructions
were organized. The Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were
founded in 1857.
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.
Many bridges were constructed. By modernizing the Public Works
Department he laid the foundations of the engineering service in India.
Estimate of Dalhousie
Dalhousie left India in 1856. The outbreak of Mutiny in the
following year led to a severe criticism of his policy of annexation.
Exhausted by his years of overwork in India, he fell ill and died in
1860. There is no doubt that Dalhousie was an able administrator
and visionary. He increased the extent of British India and
consolidated it. He inaugurated an era of progress on many sides.
He was the father of Railways and Telegraphs. He introduced the
process of modernization of India. Hence, he is hailed as “the maker
of modern India”.
61 62
Page 5


Lord Dalhousie was the youngest
Governor-General of India when he assumed
charge at the age of 36 in 1848. His early career
was remarkable. He studied in Christ Church,
Oxford. He became Member of Parliament and
enjoyed the confidence of Sir Robert Peel, the
Prime Minister of England. He did much for the
progress of railway construction in England as
the president of the Board of Trade. In 1847, he
was offered the Governor-Generalship of India which he accepted
and arrived at Calcutta in January 1848.
Policy of Annexation
The most important aspect of Dalhousie’s administration is related
to “the great drama of annexation”. His aims for expanding the
Company’s territories were administrative, imperial, commercial and
LESSON 6
LORD DALHOUSIE (1848-1856)
Learning Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge about
1. Dalhousie’s policy of annexation.
2. Annexation of Punjab and Lower Burma.
3. Doctrine of Lapse, its application to Indian states.
4. Annexation of Oudh on the pretext of misrule.
5. Dalhousie’s domestic reforms including the
introduction of railways and telegraphs.
6. His educational and other reforms.
LORD DALHOUSIE
56
financial. Although he used different reasons for annexation, his main
objective was to end misrule in the annexed states, as in the case of the
annexation of Oudh. He aimed at providing the beneficent administration
to the people of the annexed states. At the same time he had in his mind
the advantages of annexation to the British such as imperial defence,
commercial and financial benefits. Though Dalhousie did not come to
India to follow a policy of annexation, but he was able to consolidate
British rule in India by his policy of annexation. His great annexations
include the Punjab, Lower Burma, most of the Central Provinces and
Oudh.
Annexation of Punjab
At the end of the second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, Punjab was
annexed by Dalhousie. He organized the administration of Punjab very
efficiently. The province was divided into small districts under the control
of District Officers who were called Deputy Commissioners. These
commissioners with the help of their assistants came into close contact
with people. Revenue and judicial departments were combined to secure
concentration of power and responsibility. The laws and procedure were
simplified in accordance with the custom of the people. The overall
administration of Punjab was entrusted to the Chief Commissioner. In
fact, the Governor-General was the virtual ruler of Punjab. The services
of Lawrence brothers in the administration of Punjab were notable.
Within three years perfect order was restored in the province. It was
efficiently defended from internal and external enemies. In 1859, Sir
John Lawrence became the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.
Second Burmese War and the Annexation of Lower Burma
In 1852, commercial disputes in Rangoon prompted new hostilities
between the British and the Burmese. After the end of the second
Burmese War (1852), Dalhousie annexed Lower Burma with its
capital at Pegu. Major Arthur Phayre was appointed the Commissioner
of the new province. His administration also proved to be efficient. The
annexation of Lower Burma proved beneficial to Britain. Rangoon,
Britain’s most valuable acquisition from the war became one of the biggest
ports in Asia.
Doctrine of Lapse
Dalhousie also took advantage of every opportunity to acquire
territory by peaceful means. The East India Company was rapidly
becoming the predominant power in India. It had concluded alliances
with Indian rulers. It promised to support them and their heirs in return
for various concessions. Although this type of agreement favoured the
British, Dalhousie sought to acquire even more power. According to the
Hindu Law, one can adopt a son in case of no male heir to inherit the
property. The question arose whether a Hindu ruler, holding his state
subordinate to the paramount power, could adopt a son to succeed his
kingdom. It was customary for a ruler without a natural heir to ask the
British Government whether he could adopt a son to succeed him.
According to Dalhousie, if such permission was refused by the British,
the state would “lapse” and thereby become part of the British India.
Dalhousie maintained that there was a difference in principle between
the right to inherit private property and the right to govern. This principle
was called the Doctrine of Lapse.
The Doctrine of Lapse was applied by Dalhousie to Satara and it
was annexed in 1848. Jhansi and Nagpur were annexed in 1854. As a
result of these annexations, a large part of the Central Provinces came
under the British rule. The new province was governed by a Chief
Commissioner from 1861.
Although the Doctrine of Lapse cannot be regarded as illegal, its
application by Dalhousie was disliked by Indian princes. The advantages
of the annexations of Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur were substantial to the
British. Dalhousie was blamed for using the Doctrine of Lapse as an
instrument in pursuing his policy of annexation. After the Mutiny of 1857,
the doctrine of lapse was withdrawn.
57 58
Later during the Mutiny of 1857, Rani Lakshmi Bai
of Jhansi played an important role in fighting against the
British.
Annexation of Oudh
The British relations with the state of Oudh go back to the
Treaty of Allahabad in 1765. Right from Warren Hastings, many
Governor-Generals advised the Nawab of Oudh to improve the
administration. But, misrule continued there and the Nawab was under
the assumption that the British would not annex Oudh because of his
loyalty to them. In 1851, William Sleeman, Resident at Lucknow,
reported on the “spectacle of human misery and careless misrule”.
But Sleeman was against the policy of annexing Oudh. After surveying
the situation in Oudh, Dalhousie annexed it in 1856. Nawab Wajid
Ali was granted a pension of 12 lakhs of rupees per year. The annexed
territory came under the control of a Chief Commissioner.
Dalhousie’s annexation of Oudh, the last one among his
annexations, created great political danger. The annexation offended
the Muslim elite. More dangerous was the effect on the British army’s
Indian troops, many of whom came from Oudh, They had occupied a
privileged position before its annexation. Under the British
Government they were treated as equals with the rest of the
population. This is a loss of prestige for them. In these various ways,
the annexation of Oudh contributed to the Mutiny of 1857.
Domestic Reforms of Dalhousie
Dalhousie’s territorial acquisition transformed the map of India.
He was not only a conqueror but also a great administrator. The
appointment of a Lieutenant-Governor to Bengal enabled Dalhousie
concentrate on administration. His greatest achievement was the
molding of the new provinces into a modern centralized state. For
the newly acquired territories, he introduced the centralized control
called “Non-Regulation System”. Under this system a Commissioner
was appointed for a newly acquired territory. Under military reforms
Dalhousie shifted the headquarters of Bengal Artillery from Calcutta
to Meerut. Simla was made the permanent headquarters of the army.
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. The first reason was commercial. The
second main reason was administrative. The third reason was defense.
At the time of revolt and disturbance, movement of the forces was
much easier through railways. Lord Dalhousie’s contribution in the
development of railways is worth commending. In 1853, he penned
his Railway Minute formulating the future policy of railways in India.
He started the “guarantee system” by which the 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. 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 and
from Madras to Arakkonam in 1856.
The first railway in the world was opened in 1825 in
England.
Telegraph
Similarly, the use of Telegraph brought marvelous changes
in communication system. In India, Lord Dalhousie’s contribution
in this respect is commendable. In 1852, O’Shaughnessy was
appointed the Superintendent of Telegraph Department. Main cities
of the country viz., Calcutta, Peshawar, Bombay and Madras were
telegraphically connected. About 4000 miles long Telegraph lines
were laid before the departure of Dalhousie. During the 1857
Revolt, the system of telegraphic communication proved a boon
for the English and the military value of Dalhousie’s creation was
much realized at that time.
59 60
Postal Reform
The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by
Lord Dalhousie. A new Post Office Act was passed in 1854.
Consequently, 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.
Education
Dalhousie had also evinced in the development of education. The
educational Despatch of Sir Charles Wood (1854) was considered the
“Intellectual Charter of India”. It provided an outline for the
comprehensive scheme of education at primary, secondary and collegiate
levels. Dalhousie fully accepted the views of Charles Wood and took
steps to carry out the new scheme. Departments of Public Instructions
were organized. The Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were
founded in 1857.
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.
Many bridges were constructed. By modernizing the Public Works
Department he laid the foundations of the engineering service in India.
Estimate of Dalhousie
Dalhousie left India in 1856. The outbreak of Mutiny in the
following year led to a severe criticism of his policy of annexation.
Exhausted by his years of overwork in India, he fell ill and died in
1860. There is no doubt that Dalhousie was an able administrator
and visionary. He increased the extent of British India and
consolidated it. He inaugurated an era of progress on many sides.
He was the father of Railways and Telegraphs. He introduced the
process of modernization of India. Hence, he is hailed as “the maker
of modern India”.
61 62
MODEL QUESTIONS
I. Choose the correct answer.
1. Punjab was annexed by Dalhousie in the year
(a) 1839 (b) 1849
(c) 1853 (d) 1856
2. Lawrence brothers lent their services in the administration of
(a) Burma (b) Punjab
(c) Bengal (d) Mysore
II. Fill in the blanks.
1. The first railway line between Bombay and Thane was opened
in the year…..
2. The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by
……
III. Match the following.
1. Wood’s Despatch a. 1857
2. Second Burmese War b. 1856
3. Annexation of Oudh c. 1852
4. Foundation of the University of Madras d. 1854
IV. Find out the correct statement. One statement alone is
right.
a) The doctrine of lapse was introduced by Lord Wellesley.
b) The doctrine of lapse can be regarded as illegal.
c) The doctrine of lapse was applied to annex Lower Burma.
d) The doctrine of lapse was withdrawn after the Mutiny of 1857.
Learning Outcome
After studying this lesson, the students will be able to
explain
1. Dalhousie’s policy of annexation of states like Oudh
was aimed at providing beneficent rule to Indian
states.
2. His annexation of Punjab, Lower Burma and most
of central India was nothing but expansion of British
imperialism.
3. The Doctrine of Lapse was a tool in the hands of
Dalhousie for his policy of annexation.
4. Dalhousie remained a progressive reformer by
introducing modern methods of communication such
as railways and telegraphs.
5. The student can give an impartial estimate of
Dalhousie.
63 64