Who among the following Governor General of India devised the 'Doctrine of Lapse'?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, is credited with devising and implementing the 'Doctrine of Lapse'.
This policy stated that if a ruler of a dependent state died without a natural male heir, the state would be annexed by the British Empire.
The doctrine disregarded the Indian tradition of adopting heirs and was a major tool for British territorial expansion.
The annexation of states like Jhansi, Satara, and Nagpur under this policy created significant discontent, which was a major cause of the Indian Revolt of 1857.

Option A: Lord Hastings' tenure (1813-1823) predates the Doctrine of Lapse. He was involved in the Anglo-Maratha and Anglo-Nepalese wars.
Option C: Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India and oversaw the transfer of power in 1947, a century after the Doctrine of Lapse was in effect.
Option D: Lord Curzon's tenure (1899-1905) is most noted for the Partition of Bengal in 1905, not the Doctrine of Lapse.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian History: British Colonial Policies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests general knowledge, a component of many nursing entrance examinations in India. A broad awareness of Indian history is expected.
The Doctrine of Lapse is a significant event in British India's history, and understanding its impact provides context for the socio-political landscape of the time.
What if the question was about a social reformer instead of a Governor-General? The approach would be similar: identify the key contribution associated with the person and eliminate options based on their known historical roles.

How to Approach the Question

Read the question carefully to identify the specific historical policy mentioned: 'Doctrine of Lapse'.
Access your knowledge of Indian history, specifically the policies of British Governor-Generals.
Scan the options provided: Lord Hastings, Lord Dalhousie, Lord Mountbatten, and Lord Curzon.
Recall that Lord Dalhousie is famously associated with this aggressive annexation policy.
Mentally cross-check the other options by recalling their main historical associations (e.g., Mountbatten with Partition, Curzon with Bengal's partition) to confirm they are incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.