what is doctrine of lapse? How far it was failed to extend the British empire?
Answers
According to Doctrine of Lapse, if an Indian ruler of dependant state did not have his son to succeed ( take his position) him, the ruler/king was not allowed to adopt a successor without company's consent.
The main idea behind this policy was that to expand the realm of British Kingdom in India.
It was introduced by then Governor General of East India Company - Lord Dalhousie.(1848 A.D).
It was against Hindu law, where the ruler/king without any male offspring of his own could adopt any male child of any age from the branch of the royal family to enthrone him as the ruler of the Kingdom.
As the Indians were not happy with the British policy, the result of this was Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
After the call off from the new British Viceroy of India, Doctrine of Lapse rule ended in the year 1858.