The Doctrine of Lapse, by which a princely state could be annexed if the ruler died without a natural male heir, is associated with

Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General from 1848 to 1856, applied the Doctrine of Lapse to annex states such as Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur when rulers died without natural heirs, refusing to recognise adopted sons. Such policies contributed to resentment before 1857. Wellesley used the Subsidiary Alliance, Curzon partitioned Bengal, and Canning was Governor-General during the Revolt itself.