write a short note on DOCTRINE OF LAPSE .
The Doctrine of :Lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie who was the Governor General of India between 1848 and 1856. Under the policy, if a Indian king died without leaving a son as direct heir, then that kingdom would be annexed by the East India Company. Earlier, such kings who did not have sons were allowed to adopt a successor. The Doctrine of Lapse abolished this policy in order to annex such kingdoms.