Question

Explain doctrine of lapse please.

Answer 1

The doctrine of lapse was an annexation policy applied by the British East India Company in India before 1858. According to the doctrine, any princely state or territory under the direct influence (paramountacy) of the British East India Company (the dominant imperial power in the subcontinent), as a vassal state under the British subsidiary system, would automatically be annexed if the ruler was either "manifestly incompetent or died without a male heir". The latter supplanted the long-established right of an Indian sovereign without an heir to choose a successor

Answer 2

doctrine of lapse was introduced by Britishers during 19th century in which kings who didn't have their own child would not have the right to gave their adopted child the opportunity to be a king . This was mainly opposed by rani lakshmi bai of jhansi for her adopted child after the death of her husband