Lord Dalhousie and the Annexation of Awadh
The question asks about the specific year when the British East India Company, under the governance of Lord Dalhousie, annexed the princely state of Awadh.
Historical Background
Awadh (or Oudh) was a significant state in northern India. The British East India Company had established a subsidiary alliance with Awadh in 1801, which meant the Nawab of Awadh had to disband his own army, accept a British resident, and pay for the upkeep of a British force. Despite these obligations, the British gradually increased their control and influence over the state.
Lord Dalhousie's Role
Lord Dalhousie served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. He was known for his aggressive expansionist policies aimed at consolidating British power across the subcontinent. While the Doctrine of Lapse was one of his key policies for annexing states (whereby a state would lapse to the Company upon the death of a ruler without a natural heir), the annexation of Awadh was carried out under a different pretext.
The Annexation of Awadh
Lord Dalhousie accused the Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, of maintaining a state of "misgovernance" and "judicial chaos." Based on these allegations, and despite protests from the Nawab and the local population, Dalhousie decided to formally annex Awadh. This action was carried out towards the end of his tenure as Governor-General.
Determining the Correct Year
The annexation of Awadh took place on February 7, 1856. This event occurred just before Lord Dalhousie left India and shortly before the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The annexation was deeply resented and is considered one of the contributing factors to the widespread uprising that followed.
Conclusion
Considering the historical records and the options provided, the year Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh was 1856.
Summary of Key Facts
- Event: Annexation of Awadh
- Governor-General: Lord Dalhousie
- Year: 1856
- Pretext: Alleged misgovernance
- Significance: Major territorial expansion by the British East India Company, contributed to the 1857 uprising.
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Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
