Prelude · 1848–1856
Doctrine of Lapse Applied
Governor-General Dalhousie annexed states whose rulers died without a natural heir, including Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur. Awadh was annexed in 1856 on grounds of 'misgovernment'.
Causes
- Company's drive for revenue and territory
- Refusal to recognise adopted heirs
Consequences
- Satara (1848), Jhansi (1853), Nagpur (1854) annexed
- Awadh annexed (1856)
- Deep anger among princes, nobles and sepoys
Significance
Turned rulers like Rani Lakshmibai and Nana Saheb into leaders of the 1857 Revolt.
People
Key terms
Sources
- Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, From Plassey to Partition (Orient BlackSwan, 2004)
- NCERT, Themes in Indian History Part III, Class XII