INSIGHT UPSC QUIZ

GS History Modern India
Q.

With reference to the Doctrine of Lapse, consider the following statements:

1. It was introduced by Lord Hastings.

2. It allowed British to annex the state if the ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir.

3. Avadh was the first state to be annexed under the doctrine.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie. It was the chief instrument of his policy of annexation.

Statement 2 is correct: Under this Doctrine, when the ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir, his state was not to pass to an adopted heir as sanctioned by the age-old tradition of the country. Instead, it was to be annexed to the British dominions unless the adoption had been clearly approved earlier by the British authorities. Many states, including Sataia in 1848 and Nagpur and Jhansi in 1854, were annexed by applying this doctrine.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Satara was the first state to be annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse. Lord Dalhousie was keen on annexing the kingdom of Avadh. But the task presented certain difficulties. For one, the Nawabs of Avadh had been British allies since the Battle of Buxar, Moreover, they had been most obedient to the British over the years. The Nawab of Avadh had many heirs and could not therefore be covered by the Doctrine of Lapse. Some other pretext had to be found for depriving him of his dominions. Finally, Lord Dalhousie hit upon the idea of alleviating the plight of the people of Avadh. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was accused of having misgoverned his state and of refusing to introduce reforms. His state was therefore annexed in 1856.

Thus, Option C is Correct.

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