Understanding Early Indian Rebellions Against British Rule

The question asks to identify the Indian ruler who led an armed rebellion against the British East India Company in 1824, specifically against the implementation of policies akin to the Doctrine of Lapse.

Analyzing the 1824 Rebellion and British Policy

The early 19th century saw increasing resistance from various Indian rulers against the expanding power and annexation policies of the British East India Company. The British often interfered in the internal affairs of states, particularly concerning succession, which later culminated in the formal Doctrine of Lapse under Lord Dalhousie in the 1840s and 1850s. However, the principle of annexing states if a ruler died without a natural heir was already being applied or considered earlier.

Examining the Options Provided

Let's look at the rulers mentioned in the options and their historical context:

• Kittur Chennamma: Rani Chennamma was the queen of the princely state of Kittur, located in present-day Karnataka. After her husband and son died, the British invoked a policy of annexation, refusing to recognize her adopted son as the heir. Rani Chennamma resisted this move, leading to an armed rebellion in 1824.
• Titumir: Titumir led the Titu Mir's Rebellion (also known as the Barasat revolt) in Bengal in the 1830s (specifically 1831). This was primarily a peasant revolt against local landlords and the British.
• Jayi Rajaguru: Jayi Rajaguru was the chief minister and guardian of the minor king of Khurda in Odisha. He was a key figure in the Paika Rebellion of 1817, which was a significant uprising against British rule in the region.
• Pazhassi Raja: Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of Kottayam (Kerala) fought against the British between 1793 and 1805. His struggle was mainly against British interference in the revenue administration and their control over the region.

Identifying the Correct Ruler

Comparing the timeframes and the causes of the rebellions, Rani Kittur Chennamma's resistance in 1824 directly relates to the British policy of annexation based on succession issues, aligning with the description in the question regarding a challenge against the principles that would later form the Doctrine of Lapse. The rebellion led by Rani Chennamma in 1824 is a prominent example of early resistance to British annexation policies.

Based on the historical context and the timeline of the rebellions led by these Indian rulers, Kittur Chennamma is the correct answer as she led an armed rebellion in 1824 specifically challenging the British policy of annexation due to lack of a natural heir.

Conclusion

The ruler who led one of the first armed rebellions against the British East India Company in 1824 against the implementation of the Doctrine of Lapse-like principles was Kittur Chennamma.

Revision Table: Key Indian Rebellions

Additional Information: The Doctrine of Lapse Context

While the formal Doctrine of Lapse is most strongly associated with Lord Dalhousie and the period after 1848, the British East India Company had a long-standing policy of annexing Indian states when the ruler died without a natural male heir. This policy was based on the premise that states created by the British or dependent on them could not pass on their titles to adopted sons, a practice common in Hindu tradition. Kittur Chennamma's rebellion in 1824 is an early instance of a ruler resisting this annexation policy, even before it was codified as the 'Doctrine of Lapse'. This demonstrates the continuous nature of resistance against British expansionism and interference in Indian states' sovereignty.