What was the policy of "doctrine of lapse"?
A
States were allowed to adopt son as an heir
B
States were not allowed to adopt son as an heir
C
According to this system, every ruler in India had to accept to pay a subsidy to the British for the maintenance of British army
D
None of these
Correct Answer: States were not allowed to adopt son as an heir
This doctrine was based on the idea that in case a ruler of dependent state died childless, the right of ruling over the State reverted or 'lapsed' to the sovereign.