Previous Year Question
Who among the following was a strong advocate of the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’?
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The Doctrine of Lapse is closely associated with Lord
Dalhousie, who served as Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856.
His administration used this policy as an important instrument of territorial annexation.
Official NIOS history material specifically states that the Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy devised by Lord Dalhousie. Under the policy, certain princely states could be annexed when their rulers died without a recognised natural male heir.
The policy was used in the annexation of states including Satara, Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Nagpur and Jhansi.
Lord Wellesley → chiefly associated with the Subsidiary
Alliance
Lord Dalhousie → chiefly associated with the Doctrine of Lapse.