The Doctrine of Lapse was enforced by the British East India Company in mid-19th century India, mainly under Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856). It allowed annexation of princely states without a natural male heir, disregarding Indian succession customs, and became a key factor behind the 1857 rebellion.

BulletsIn

• Policy used by British East India Company to annex Indian states
• Applied widely during Governor-General Lord Dalhousie’s tenure (1848–1856)
• Rule: no natural male heir, state annexed to Company
• Adoption of heir not recognized without British approval
• Annexed states included Satara (1848), Jhansi (1853), Nagpur (1854)
• Justified annexation as misgovernance or lack of succession
• Generated extra £4 million revenue annually for Company
• Sparked resentment among rulers, nobles, soldiers, and citizens
• Direct cause of participation of Rani of Jhansi, Nana Sahib in 1857 revolt
• Abandoned after 1858 when British Crown took control of India