Who among the following British officials served as the Governor-General of India during the introduction of the Doctrine of Lapse and the annexation of Oudh on grounds of misgovernance?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Lord Dalhousie served as Governor-General from 1848 to 1856, aggressively expanding British dominion through the Doctrine of Lapse, which denied succession rights to adopted heirs of dependent princely states. He subsequently annexed Oudh in 1856 on charges of administrative misrule, deeply alienating regional aristocracy. Lord Wellesley implemented the Subsidiary Alliance system, whereas Lord William Bentinck focused on social reforms like the abolition of Sati. Dalhousie's annexation policies contributed significantly to the outbreak of the revolt of 1857.