Question:

Which of the following governors-general of India introduced the policy of “doctrine of lapse?"

Updated On: Dec 17, 2025
  • Lord Wellesley
  • Lord Curzon
  • Lord Mountbatten
  • Lord Dalhousie
  • Lord Reading
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The Correct Option is D

Approach Solution - 1

The question asks about the Governor-General of India who introduced the "Doctrine of Lapse" policy. Let's go through the options to identify the correct answer:

  1. Lord Wellesley: Known for his role in the expansion of the British Empire in India through the Subsidiary Alliance system, not the Doctrine of Lapse.
  2. Lord Curzon: Served as Viceroy of India and is famous for the partition of Bengal in 1905, but not related to the Doctrine of Lapse.
  3. Lord Mountbatten: The last Viceroy of British India and oversaw the transition of British India to independence, not associated with the Doctrine of Lapse.
  4. Lord Dalhousie: Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse, a policy aimed at annexing states in India where the ruler died without a natural heir.
  5. Lord Reading: Known for his tenure during the 1920s, not connected with the introduction of the Doctrine of Lapse.

Explanation: The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy devised by Lord Dalhousie, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. The main principle of this doctrine was that if a princely ruler died without a direct heir, the state would be annexed to the British Empire. It was a significant policy that resulted in the annexation of several states, including Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur, and Sambalpur.

Conclusively, the correct answer is:

Lord Dalhousie

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Approach Solution -2

Step 1: Understand the doctrine of lapse.

The doctrine of lapse was a policy implemented by Lord Dalhousie during his tenure as Governor-General of India. It allowed the British East India Company to annex princely states in India if the ruler died without a male heir.

Step 2: Analyze the contributions of the given governors-general.

  • Lord Wellesley: Known for the Subsidiary Alliance system.
  • Lord Curzon: Focused on partitioning Bengal and educational reforms.
  • Lord Mountbatten: Played a role in India's independence process.
  • Lord Dalhousie: Introduced the doctrine of lapse.
  • Lord Reading: Known for judicial reforms.

Final Answer: (4)

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