• The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy devised by Lord Dalhousie, who was the Governor-General of India between 1848 and 1856.

• There was a widespread custom of adoption among the Indian kings to secure an heir in the absence of a natural successor, i.e., a son.

• But, as per the Doctrine of Lapse, any Indian state, created by or under the direct influence (paramount) of the British East India Company, as a vassal state under the British Subsidiary System, would automatically ‘lapse’ or be annexed by the British, if the ruler was either incompetent or died without a natural male heir.

• Thus, not only the long-established right of the Indian sovereigns, without an heir to choose a successor, was taken over, but the British also took over the authority of deciding the competence of the Indian rulers.

• With the introduction of this Policy of Lapse, the Company could establish absolute, imperial administrative control over many regions spread over the sub-continent.

• The Company took over the princely states of Satara, Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Nagpur and Jhansi using this Doctrine. Often the annexation, such as that of Awadh (Oudh) in 1856, was justified on the grounds that the native prince was of evil disposition, indifferent to the welfare of his subjects.