Question

Who among the following introduced the 'Doctrine of Lapse'?
1. Lord Canning
2. Lord Ripon
3. Lord Dalhousie
4. Warren Hastings

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Lord Dalhousie

The correct answer is Lord Dalhousie.

• The chief instrument through which Lord Dalhousie implemented his policy of annexation was the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’.
  • Under the Doctrine of Lapse, when the ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir, his/her state was not to pass to an adopted heir as sanctioned by the age-old tradition of the country.
• Lord Dalhousie came to India as the Governor-General in 1848.
• Lord Dalhousie was keen on annexing the kingdom of Avadh.

Lord Canning	He served as Governor-General of India from 1856 to 1862. In his tenure, the Government of India Act, 1858 was passed. In that Act, the office of Viceroy was to be held by the same person who was Governor-General of India. Lord Canning also served as the first Viceroy of India. During his tenure “Doctrine of Lapse” was withdrawal.
Lord Ripon	Lord Ripon remained India’s Viceroy from 1880-84. The most important events during this time were as follows: The Vernacular Press Act was repealed in 1882. A Resolution in 1882 set off the institution of local self-government in India. Hunter Commission came in 1882 for education reforms. Introduction of Ilbert Bill in a severely compromised state. His best-known work is “The Imperial Gazetteer of India” on which he started working in 1869.
Warren Hastings	Warren Hastings was the 1st Governor-General of Bengal. In the Dual System, the company had Diwani rights (rights to collect revenue) and the Nizam or Indian chiefs had the administrative authority. Hastings abolished the Dual System that had been established by Robert Clive. The Nawab’s annual allowance of Rs.32 lakh was reduced to Rs.16 lakh.