Understanding the British Policy of Annexation

The question describes a specific policy implemented by the British in India that led to the annexation of several princely states. This policy was primarily based on the succession rules within the Indian kingdoms.

What is the Doctrine of Lapse?

The policy mentioned in the question is known as the Doctrine of Lapse. This was an annexation policy extensively used by the British East India Company, particularly under the Governor-Generalship of Lord Dalhousie from 1848 to 1856. According to this doctrine, if a ruler of a protected state died without a natural male heir, his kingdom would "lapse" or pass into the hands of the British. The doctrine rejected the long-standing Indian tradition of adopting an heir if there was no natural one.

Key conditions for annexation under the Doctrine of Lapse included:

• Absence of a natural male heir.
• Disapproval by the British of an adopted heir, meaning the right to adopt was not recognized by the Company unless they specifically permitted it for specific states (feudatories created by the British).

This policy was a major tool for expanding British territory in India and was applied to states like Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853), Jhansi (1854), and Awadh (Oudh) (1856, though Awadh was annexed on grounds of misgovernance, not strictly Lapse, it was part of the overall annexation drive).

Other Policies Explained

Let's look at the other options provided to understand why they don't fit the description:

• Commercial Policy: This refers to the economic policies of the British, focused on trade, revenue collection, and making India a market for British goods and a source of raw materials. It was not a policy for annexing states based on heirship.
• Paramountcy Policy: This policy asserted that the British paramount power was supreme over the Indian princely states. It allowed the British to interfere in the internal affairs of states, but it was not specifically tied to the absence of a natural heir for annexation.
• Subsidiary Alliance: Introduced by Lord Wellesley, this was a treaty system where Indian rulers agreed to station a permanent British force within their territory and pay for it. The ruler would also have a British Resident at their court and could not enter into alliances with other states or declare war without British permission. While a tool for control, it was based on treaties, not on the lapse of the right to rule due to lack of a natural heir.

Comparing the Policies

Based on the description provided in the question, which specifically mentions annexation due to the lack of a natural heir and disapproval of an adopted heir, the policy being discussed is clearly the Doctrine of Lapse.

Revision Table: Key British Policies in India

Additional Information on Annexation Policies

The British used various methods to expand their control and territory in India. These included direct conquest (like Mysore, Punjab), annexation based on alleged misgovernance (like Awadh), annexation based on treaties or agreements, and the application of the Doctrine of Lapse. The Doctrine of Lapse was particularly controversial because it went against established Indian customs regarding adoption and succession, contributing significantly to resentment against British rule and playing a role in the events of 1857.