What is doctrine of lapse?

The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India, in the mid-19th century. According to this policy, if an Indian ruler died without a natural male heir, their kingdom would be taken over by the British East India Company.

The British did not recognize adopted sons as legal successors under this doctrine. As a result, states such as Jhansi, Satara, and Nagpur were annexed. The policy was widely opposed by Indian rulers and became one of the factors that contributed to the Revolt of 1857.