Q. Dalhousie annexed Avadh for the British empire in India through the
(a) policy of Subsidiary Alliance
(b) doctrine of lapse
(c) state being maladministered
(d) waging of war
Ans: (b) doctrine of lapse
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) doctrine of lapse.
Lord Dalhousie, during his tenure as Governor-General of India, implemented the doctrine of lapse, which allowed the British East India Company to annex Indian states if they lacked a male heir or were deemed to be maladministered. This policy was used as a means to expand British control over Indian territories. As part of this policy, Dalhousie annexed the kingdom of Awadh (Oudh) in 1856, alleging misrule and maladministration as reasons for its annexation.
