Understanding the Doctrine of Lapse Policy

The question asks to identify the specific British policy that enabled the annexation of Indian states when their rulers passed away without leaving a natural successor. This policy was a significant tool used by the British East India Company to expand its territorial control over India.

Explaining the British Policy

Several policies were implemented by the British during their colonial rule in India, each serving different administrative and strategic purposes. Let's look at the options:

• Dual Government: This system, prevalent in Bengal, involved a division of power between the Company and the Nawab, leading to administrative inefficiency and exploitation. It was not primarily about annexation based on succession.
• Permanent Settlement: Introduced by Lord Cornwallis, this was a land revenue system that fixed the land revenue demand permanently. It aimed to secure a stable revenue source but did not directly deal with state annexation due to succession issues.
• Doctrine of Lapse: This was a controversial British policy that stated that if a ruler of a protected Indian state died without a natural heir, his state would be annexed by the British. The state would then be under British rule. This policy was vigorously applied by Lord Dalhousie.
• Subsidiary Alliance: Introduced by Lord Wellesley, this policy involved Indian states accepting British military protection in return for paying a subsidy and allowing a British resident. While it reduced the sovereignty of Indian states, it wasn't directly linked to annexation based on the absence of an heir.

The Doctrine of Lapse Explained

The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy that effectively meant that any Indian princely state under the direct control of the British East India Company, whose ruler died without a natural heir, would be annexed (taken over) by the Company. A 'natural heir' was typically understood as a son adopted with the prior approval of the Company or the British government. If a ruler adopted a son without this approval, or died heirless, the state was claimed by the British.

This policy was instrumental in the annexation of several Indian states, including Satara, Jaipur, Sambalpur, Jhansi, and Nagpur, significantly expanding British territory and influence.

Conclusion on Annexation Policy

Based on the explanation, the British policy that specifically allowed the annexation of Indian states whose rulers died without a natural heir was the Doctrine of Lapse.