The correct answer is Awadh. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • The Policy of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India, in the mid-19th century. It allowed the British East India Company to annex princely states in cases where the ruler died without a natural heir. • Awadh was annexed by the British East India Company in 1856 under the pretext of "internal mismanagement." • The British justified their annexation by claiming that the ruler of Awadh, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, had failed to administer the kingdom effectively, leading to widespread corruption and lawlessness. • This act of annexation caused widespread discontent among the people of Awadh and was one of the factors that contributed to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. • The annexation of Awadh marked a significant application of the Doctrine of Lapse, though it was justified not through the absence of an heir but through alleged mismanagement. Related Concepts: • Policy of Lapse: • The Policy of Lapse was a key imperial strategy employed by Lord Dalhousie to expand the British Empire in India during his tenure from 1848 to 1856. • Under this policy, if a ruler of a princely state died without a legitimate male heir, his kingdom would be annexed by the British East India Company. • States annexed under this doctrine included Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854). • Awadh: • Awadh was a prosperous region in northern India, known for its cultural richness and economic vitality, especially in agriculture and trade. • The kingdom was ruled by the Shia Nawabs of Awadh, with Nawab Wajid Ali Shah being the last ruler before British annexation. • The annexation of Awadh was carried out using the justification of poor governance and mismanagement rather than the Policy of Lapse in its traditional sense. • Impact of the Annexation: • The annexation of Awadh created widespread resentment among the nobility, military personnel, and common people of the region. • Many displaced soldiers from Awadh later joined the ranks of the rebels during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. • The annexation undermined the legitimacy of British rule in the eyes of many Indians and deepened anti-British sentiments. • Other Options: • Jhansi: Jhansi was annexed in 1853 under the Policy of Lapse after its ruler, Raja Gangadhar Rao, died without a male heir. However, it was not due to mismanagement. • Baghat: Baghat was a small princely state in Himachal Pradesh and not annexed under the Policy of Lapse or for internal mismanagement. • Sambalpur: Sambalpur was annexed in 1850 under the Policy of Lapse, but it was due to the lack of a legitimate heir, not mismanagement. Important Notes: • Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse: This policy played a major role in the territorial expansion of the British Empire in India. • Indian Rebellion of 1857: The annexation of Awadh and other states was one of the primary causes of the rebellion, as it fueled widespread resentment against British policies. • Awadh's Strategic Importance: Awadh was a fertile and economically significant region, making its annexation highly beneficial for the British East India Company.