Doctrine of lapse: Learn about the doctrine

Learn about the doctrine of lapse , a British policy to annex Indian princely states without a male heir, and its consequences. Find out which states were affected, who was Lord Dalhousie, and how the doctrine sparked the 1857 revolt. The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy extensively applied by East India Company in India until 1859. The doctrine stated that any princely state under the vassalage of the company will how its territory annexed should the ruler of the said state fail to produce an heir. Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy implemented by the East India Company in the Indian subcontinent regarding princely states that lasted until 1859. Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India (1848–56), devised a formula to cope with concerns about Hindu Indian state success Doctrine of lapse , in Indian history, formula devised by Lord Dalhousie, governor-general of India (1848–56), to deal with questions of succession to Hindu Indian states.