Q. The state of Jhansi was made a part of the British empire in India through the
(a) Doctrine of Lapse
(b) policy of Subsidiary Alliance
(c) war against Rani Lakshmibai
(d) none of these
Ans: (a) Doctrine of Lapse
Explanation: The correct answer is (a) Doctrine of Lapse.
The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, during the period of British colonial rule. According to this policy, any princely state under the control of the British East India Company would be annexed by the British if the ruler died without a natural heir. This policy was used to justify the annexation of several princely states by the British.
Jhansi, which was ruled by Rani Lakshmibai, faced annexation under the Doctrine of Lapse. Rani Lakshmibai’s husband, Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, had adopted a child as his heir before his death. However, the British disregarded the adoption and used the Doctrine of Lapse to claim that Jhansi had lapsed into their possession. This eventually led to the uprising against British rule, known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, in which Rani Lakshmibai played a significant role.
So, the state of Jhansi was made a part of the British empire in India through the Doctrine of Lapse.
