<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The doctrine of lapse was an annexation policy applied by the Lord Dalhousie in India before 1858 . According to the doctrine, any Indian princely state under the suzerainty of the British East India Company (the dominant imperial power in the subcontinent), as a vassal state under the British subsidiary system, would have its princely status abolished (and therefore annexed into British India) if the ruler was either "manifestly incompetent or died without a male heir". The latter supplanted the long - established right of an Indian sovereign without an heir to choose a successor . In addition, the British decided whether potential rulers were competent enough . The doctrine and its application were widely regarded by many Indians as illegitimate . </P> <P> The policy is most commonly associated with Lord Dalhousie, who was the Governor General of the East India Company in India between 1848 and 1856 . However, it was articulated by the Court of Directors of the East India Company as early as 1834 and several smaller states were already annexed under this doctrine before Dalhousie took over the post of Governor - General . Dalhousie used the policy most vigorously and extensively, though, so it is generally associated with him. The accession of Lord Dalhousie inaugurated a new chapter in the history of British India . He functioned as the Governor - General of India from 1848 - 1856 . </P>

Who applied the doctrine of lapse to the indian state