What is Meant by the Doctrine of Lapse?

Question: What is meant by the Doctrine of Lapse?

Answer: When India was under British rule in the 1840s, Lord Dalhousie was the general who had brought the Doctrine of Lapse into effect. This was simply an annexation law which was brought by the British Government, which states that ” Any ruler who doesn’t have a natural heir to their throne, will not be allowed to adopt anyone for the same purpose. Hence, their land is confiscated after the ruler dies or leaves the throne. This rule was initiated by the East India Company and was effective in the princely states.

States annexed by Lord Dalhousie by using the Doctrine of Lapse:

     1. The States of Satara (1848 AD)

     2. Sambhalpur (1849 AD)

     3. Jaipur (1849 AD)

     4. Bahat (1850 A.D)

     5. Jhansi (1853 AD)

     6:Udaipur (1852 AD)

     7. Nagpur (1854 AD)

This was a pro-imperialist approach of the British government to expand the territory in India. All the rulers who did not have a natural heir to The throne were deprived of their land. The rulers who had adopted their heir were allowed to inherit only the Parental Wealth, and the rulers were denied pension. The adopted child was not allowed to take over the throne. This was a smart move by the government to expand its territory in India. Surendra Sai was the first person who belonged to Odisha and started the revolt against this by raising their voice against the doctrine of Lapse. Rani Laxmibai Of Jhansi also started the revolt because her adopted son was denied the throne after the death of his Father. These events paved the way for the revolt as it was not accepted by the rulers who constantly faced the backlash and lost their land to the Britishers.