Which of the following governors-general of India introduced the policy of “doctrine of lapse?"
- Lord Wellesley
- Lord Curzon
- Lord Mountbatten
- Lord Dalhousie
- Lord Reading
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Lord Mountbatten: The last Viceroy of British India and oversaw the transition of British India to independence, not associated with the Doctrine of Lapse.
- Lord Dalhousie: Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse, a policy aimed at annexing states in India where the ruler died without a natural heir.
- 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
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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