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Doctrine Of Lapse - NCERT Notes For UPSC

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The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy put forth by the British to expand their empire in India. The Doc- trine of Lapse deals with the rules related to questions on succession of the Indian states. This an- nexation policy was introduced in India by Lord Dalhousie. The Doctrine of Lapse was in force till 1859, even two years after the end of Company’s rule in India. Some of the elements of this Doc- trine were used by the Indian Government in the post-independence period to recognise the individ- ual princely families. This article talks about the NCERT notes Doctrine of Lapse and its usefulness in UPSC examinations. Read further to know more.

Lord Dalhousie • James Andrew Ramsay, was famously known as Lord Dalhousie. • From 1848 to 1856, he was the Governor General of India. • His main intention was expansion of the British rule in India. • The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by him in India and he annexed eight states during his period. • The Second Anglo Sikh war was fought during his period and the whole of Punjab was brought under the British empire by him. • Some of the significant events that took place during his period are ▪ Widow Remarriage Act, 1856 ▪ Woods Educational Despatch of 1854 ▪ First railway line from Bombay to Thane in 1853 ▪ Pegu (lower Burma) was annexed in 1852 ▪ Telegraph and postal reforms

Doctrine Of Lapse - What Is It? • The Doctrine of Lapse was an imperialist approach by the British to expand their empire in Indian territory. • The Doctrine of Lapse policy stated that it was customary for the Indian rulers without natural heirs to ask permission from the British to adopt a son in order to succeed him. • It was stated that the adopted son could inherit only the private property of the foster father and not the state. • The power to decide on either bestowing the state to the adopted son or annexing it, laid in the hands of the British. • It was stated that the policy was based on the Hindu law. But as per the Hindu Law, an indi- vidual or the ruler without natural heir can adopt a son and the adopted son can inherit all the properties of the foster father. Thus the Doctrine of Lapse was inconclusive in this point.

Doctrine Of Lapse - States Annexed • Lord Dalhousie annexed eight states under the Doctrine of Lapse policy during his service. • He is said to have annexed about a quarter million square miles of the Indian territory. • The States annexed by him under the policy are as follows Annexed States Year of Annexation

Satara 1848

Sambhalpur 1849

Jaitpur 1849

Bhagat 1850

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Udaipur 1850

Nagpur 1854

Jhansi 1855

Awadh 1856

Doctrine Of Lapse - Effects • Under the Doctrine of Lapse, the adopted son of Rani of Jhansi was denied the throne. • With the death of Nana Sahib’s foster father, he was denied pension by the British. • The Doctrine of Lapse was one of the major political causes for the break out of the Revolt of 1857.

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Doctrine of Lapse (NCERT notes) FAQs Q1. What was the policy of the Doctrine of Lapse ? A1. The Doctrine of Lapse policy was an annexation policy of the British. According to this policy the adopted son of the native ruler cannot inherit the state and it was annexed by the British.

Q2. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse and why was it introduced? A2. Lord Dalhousie who was the governor General of India from 1848 to 1856, introduced the Doc- trine of Lapse. He aimed to expand the British Empire in India and used this policy to achieve it.

Q3. Where was the Doctrine of Lapse applied first? A3. The Doctrine of Lapse was first applied to the state of Satara in 1848. The Raja of Satara had no natural heir and he adopted a son before his death. However the son was denied the throne, be- cause the British declared the succession invalid on the terms that Raja did not seek permission for the adoption.

Q4. What is the difference between Doctrine of Lapse and Subsidiary Alliance? A4. In the Doctrine of Lapse, the adopted son has the right to be the heir to the father’s private property but not the state. It was to be decided by the British whether to bestow or annex the state . In Subsidiary Alliance the Indian state accepts the Paramount of British and abides by the terms of the alliance set forth by the British.

Q5. Who withdrew the Doctrine of Lapse? A5. The Doctrine of Lapse was withdrawn by Lord Canning. He served the period from 1858 to 1862.

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