Administrative Reforms by Lord Dalhousie

==Doctrine of Lapse==: It was customary for a ruler without a natural heir to ask the British government whether he could adopt a son to succeed him. Dalhousie concluded that if such permission were refused, the state would “lapse” and thereby become part of the British possessions. - Annexation of Awadh (1856): Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the grounds of misgovernance despite its ruler being a long-time British ally. This move was deeply unpopular and contributed to the unrest leading to the 1857 rebellion.

%% Lord Dalhousie appointed a lieutenant governor to oversee Bengal’s administration, thereby allowing the governor-general to focus on broader, nationwide issues. Fredrick J. Halliday became the first Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. Similarly, the newly acquired territories, such as Punjab, were placed under the supervision of Commissioners to ensure effective governance and management. %%

Social Reforms by Lord Dalhousie

Although Dalhousie is not primarily known for social reforms, his administration continued the policies of his predecessors in addressing social issues.

• Widow Remarriage Act (1856): Dalhousie passed the Widow Remarriage Act, legalising the remarriage of Hindu widows and challenging traditional social norms.
• Suppression of Female Infanticide: He took measures to suppress the practice of female infanticide, particularly in northern India.

https://vajiramandravi.com/quest-upsc-notes/lord-dalhousie/

---