Doctrine of Lapse: Meaning, Features, Effects & Annexation Policy in India | UPSC

The Doctrine of Lapse introduction refers to a British colonial policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie. The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy put forth by the British to expand their empire in India until 1859. It deals with the rules related to questions on the succession of the Indian princely states.

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The Doctrine of Lapse policy allowed the British to annex princely states without a biological male heir. This annexation policy was introduced in India by Lord Dalhousie. The Doctrine of Lapse was in effect until 1859, two years after the Company's rule in India came to an end. The Indian Government utilised certain elements of this Doctrine in the post-independence period to recognise the individual princely families.

The Doctrine of Lapse, as it pertains to the UPSC, refers to the British policy of annexing states without a natural male heir. The Doctrine of Lapse is a topic relevant to the UPSC context under General Studies Paper I (Indian Modern History) for UPSC mains and Paper I for UPSC prelims. It is a basic topic for aspirants to understand the dynamic aspect of the Doctrine of Lapse UPSC. The Doctrine of Lapse is an essential topic for UPSC Civil Services because it highlights the role of British expansion in colonial India, which is frequently discussed in the exam. Join UPSC Coaching today to boost your preparation.

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What Was The Doctrine Of Lapse?

The Doctrine of Lapse was a British Colonial Policy of annexation introduced by the East India Company in the Indian subcontinent for the princely states, and used until 1858, the year after the British Raj took over Company rule under the British Crown. The policy is associated with James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie. The Doctrine of Lapse means the British policy of annexing states without a biological male heir.

Characteristics of the Doctrine of lapse continued to be used by the post-independence Indian government to decategorize individual princely families until 1971, when the recognition of ex-ruling families was suspended under the 25th amendment to the Indian constitution by the government during Indira Gandhi.

• 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 to succeed them.
• It was stated that the adopted son could inherit only the private property of the foster father and not the princely state.
• The power to decide on either bestowing the princely state on the adopted son or annexing it was laid in the hands of the British.
• It was stated that the policy was based on Hindu law. However, as per Hindu law, an individual or the Ruler without a 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 on this point.

• The Court of Directors of the East India Company established the Doctrine of Lapse in 1847.
• Even before Lord Dalhousie was named Governor-General of India, the Doctrine of Lapse was used to conquer several smaller princely states.
• However, Lord Dalhousie is frequently linked to the Doctrine because of how well he applied the Doctrine of Lapse to strengthen the British Empire's sway in India.

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Who Was Lord Dalhousie?

Lord Dalhousie was appointed as the Governor-General of India (1848 - 1856). He was born on 22 April 1812. He initiated the Doctrine of Lapse policy under British Colonial Rule. The British used the Doctrine of Lapse in India to annex princely states without natural male heirs.

The Doctrine of Lapse was one of the main reasons that fueled the Revolt of 1857. There are several policies enforced by Lord Dalhousie in India. Dalhousie's policy of annexation aimed to expand British rule by taking over states without male heirs or misgoverned regions.

• James Andrew Ramsay was famously known as Lord Dalhousie.
• From 1848 to 1856, he was the Governor-General of India.
• His main intention was the expansion of British rule in India.
• He initiated the Doctrine of Lapse in India and annexed eight princely states during his period.
• The Second Anglo-Sikh War was fought during his period, and he brought the whole of Punjab under the British Empire.
• Some of the significant events that took place during his period are
  1. Widow Remarriage Act, 1856.
  2. Woods' Despatch of 1854.
  3. The first railway line from Bombay to Thane was opened in 1853.
  4. Pegu (lower Burma) was annexed in 1852.
  5. Telegraph and postal reforms.

Doctrine Of Lapse: Princely States Annexed

• During his service, Lord Dalhousie annexed eight princely states under the Doctrine of Lapse Policy.
• Dalhousie is said to have annexed about a quarter-million square miles of the Indian territory.
• The first princely state to be annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse was Awadh.
• Awadh was under the rule of Wajid Ali Shah when Lord Dalhousie announced the annexation of Awadh based on the allegation of 'Internal Misrule".
• The Princely States, which he annexed under the policy, are as follows:

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Doctrine Of Lapse: Effects

The Doctrine of Lapse, a British policy of annexation, had significant consequences, including territorial expansion for the British East India Company, but also fueled widespread bitterness and ultimately contributed to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Explain the Doctrine of Lapse policy, a British rule to annex Indian states that lacked a natural male heir.

• Under the Doctrine of Lapse, the adopted son of the Rani of Jhansi was denied the throne.
• With the death of Nana Sahib's foster father, he was denied a pension by the British.
• The Doctrine of Lapse was one of the significant political causes for the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857.
• Due to the Doctrine of Lapse, a few Indian princely states lost their independence and eventually became British colonies.
• This theory holds that the Ruler was not permitted to choose their heir.
• Indian emperors and rulers were hence indignant with the British.
• Due to the altered perception of the British, both the afflicted monarchs and other kings and queens began to oppose them.
• The corporation allegedly interfered with internal norms and traditions of inheritance, according to the nobility and other people who had lost their posts and lands due to the Doctrine of Lapse.
• Nana Saheb and Rani of Jhansi played a significant role in the rulers' rebellion against the British.
• The British stopped providing Nana Sahib with a pension after his foster father went away.
• Even though Rani volunteered to submit to British rule in exchange for the chance to have her adopted son rule the nation, her efforts were in vain because her adopted son was removed from the kingdom owing to the law of lapse.

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Conclusion

The Dalhousie annexation policy aimed to expand British India by annexing states without male heirs or poor governance. The British Empire's annexation policy in India was known as the "doctrine of lapse." According to this notion, any region not directly under British Empire rule had to be annexed. As a result, numerous Indian princely states, including Hyderabad and Junagadh, were incorporated by the British Raj. Nevertheless, the initiative was ultimately terminated in 1948 following years of opposition from Indian citizens.

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