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The doctrine of lapse was an acquisition policy adopted by the East India Company within the Indian subcontinent in relation to princely kingdoms until 1859. The British Raj succeeded Company rule in 1858 and this policy was abandoned. This policy aimed to annex all princely states that did not have a male heir to the throne or where there were succession disputes. This article will provide an overview of the doctrine of lapse and what you need to know about it.
History
The doctrine of lapse was an acquisition strategy adopted by the East India Company within the Indian subcontinent, addressing princely states in 1859. The stated reason for this policy was that the rulers of these states were not doing enough to protect their people from “external aggression and internal rebellion”. This policy was applied until 1859, two years after Company rule was succeeded by the British Raj.
The doctrine of lapse was first applied in the state of Satara in 1848 when its ruler died without a male heir. The East India Company then annexed the state, because its ruler had failed to protect his people from external aggression. This set a precedent for other states, and over the next decade, the Company annexed several princely states on similar grounds.
Opposition to the Doctrine
Not everyone was in favour of the doctrine of lapse. Many Indian rulers saw it as a way for the East India Company to gain more territory, and they were not willing to give up their power without a fight. In 1857, a group of Indian rulers formed a secret society called the “Sepoy Mutiny” to overthrow the East India Company. This uprising was unsuccessful, but it did lead to the end of the doctrine of lapse.
In 1859, the British government took over the rule of India from the East India Company. Two years later, the doctrine of lapse was officially abolished. However, the damage had already been done. The policy had alienated many Indian rulers, and it was one of the factors that led to the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Causes and Effects
Causes
The doctrine of lapse was caused by several factors. The East India Company was seeking to expand its territory and increase its revenues. At the same time, there was a growing belief in Britain that it was the country’s destiny to rule the world. This belief led to a desire to annex any territory that appeared to be weak or unstable.
In addition, the East India Company was facing financial difficulties. It needed to increase its revenues to pay its debts and fund its operations. The doctrine of lapse was seen as a way to achieve this goal.
Effects
The impact of the doctrine of lapse was far-reaching. It led to the annexation of numerous princely states like Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur, which increased the size and power of the East India Company. It also led to a significant increase in company revenues.
However, the policy was also highly controversial. Many Indians saw it as a form of imperialism, and it was opposed by many British officials. The controversy eventually led to the policy’s repeal in 1859. Nevertheless, the doctrine of lapse left a lasting legacy, and its impact can still be felt in India today.
Independent India
The doctrine of lapse was not an issue during the British Raj, as the policy was abandoned in 1859. However, the annexation of princely states continued unabated during the British Raj. In 1947, when India became independent, there were over 560 princely states. These states were legally autonomous, but in practice, they were under the control of the British Raj. The Indian government annexed most of these princely states in 1947-48 because they were not viable and could not be defended. The last princely state to be annexed was Hyderabad, in 1948.
Conclusion
The doctrine of lapse was a policy of annexation followed by the British Empire in India. This policy stated that any territory not under direct British rule would be automatically annexed to the empire. As a result, many Indian states were annexed into the British Raj, including Hyderabad and Junagadh. However, after years of protests and demonstrations by Indian citizens, the policy was eventually abandoned in 1948, but it remained an integral part of Indian History.
