Question

What is the doctrine of lapse?why did the Indian rulers became suspicious of the east Indian company?

Answer 1

The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie. According to this doctrine, if any Indian ruler dies without leaving a male heir, his kingdom would automatically pass over to the British. Satara, Sambhalpur, Udaipur, Nagpur and Jhansi were some states which were annexed by the Company under this doctrine.

Indian leaders became suspicious of east India company because , it has started to gain importance and started to set up its control over the country. East India company had annexed most of the kingdoms till 1857. Indian rulers feared that , it would rule the country.