Doctrine of Lapse Policy: Impact on India’s Princely States

One of Lord Dalhousie’s key strategies for establishing British control over small Indian states was the Doctrine of Lapse Policy. He used this policy to take imperialistic steps and expand the British Empire in India. This policy was essentially against the adoption of sons by native states and their hereditary rights.

According to a government resolution adopted in 1825, it was stated that sovereign rulers had the full right to adopt the son of a king of any state as per Hindu law. The British government violated this right of the native states through the Doctrine of Lapse policy in 1848.

What was the Doctrine of Lapse?

In simple terms, the doctrine stated that the adopted son could be the heir to his foster father’s private property, but not the state; it was for the paramount power to decide whether to bestow the state on the adopted son or to annex it.

Who introduced Doctrine of Lapse?

The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856) in 1848. In fact, he was not the originator of this policy. Lord Dalhousie extensively applied the method of controlling the adoption system declared by the Board of Directors in 1834.

Through this policy, he divided the native states into three categories to avoid any problems in the application of this policy: 1. Independent states; 2. company-created states; 3. company-dependent states. This policy was more effective than the two policies mentioned above and remained in effect until 1859 AD.

Doctrine of Lapse Policy: Objectives

The main objective of introducing this policy was to build a strong foundation for the British Empire. The britishers firmly believed that to maintain the British Empire in India, it was crucial to maintain alliances with the traditional aristocracies of various Indian states.

You can also read about: Subsidiary Alliance System 1798: Origins, Impact and Facts

Doctrine of Lapse Policy: Features

• This policy stated that if any native king had no son as heir, the britishers would take over that king’s state.
• If a native state’s king adopted a son, that son would not be considered an heir. That adopted son would only have rights to his father’s personal property and estates.
• The adopted son would not be entitled to any pension or title that his father received.
• This challenged the Indian ruler’s long-held authority to appoint an heir of their choice.
• The rulers of these regions were not given any opportunity when these areas were occupied.

The Doctrine of Lapse States Annexed

Seven princely states were annexed under this policy. Princely states are:

Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh in 1856 after deposing Nawab Wajid Ali Shah on grounds of ‘misgovernment’. Thus, Dalhousie annexed eight states during his eight-year tenure as governor general.

Doctrine of Lapse Policy: Effects

• One by one, the native states lost their empires and became British colonies.
• This policy led to the accumulation of resentment among neighboring states, which became one of the main reasons behind the Great Revolt of 1857.
• The annual revenue of the British Government increased by five million pounds. Dalhousie himself said, “Consequently, our military strength will be consolidated, commercial prosperity will increase, and our power will be truly consolidated,” after the Nagpur victory.
• Both Nana Saheb and the Rani of Jhansi resented the British, as the latter canceled the former’s stipend after the death of his foster father and denied the kingship to the Rani’s adopted son according to the Doctrine of Lapse Policy.

You can also read about: Ryotwari System 1820: Objectives, Features

Conclusion

Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse policy put the native states in a tight spot. They lost their independence and rights and became puppets of the government. There were even examples like the state of Udaipur, which, despite not being created by the British, was forced to obey this policy. This policy pushed the states towards ruin. Henry Russell said, “I consider the extinction of a native state as a nail driven into our coffin.” Finally, the native states vented their anger through the Great Revolt of 1857.

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