During the British rule in India, the British enacted various policies and strategies to suppress rebellions and maintain control over territories like Awadh. One of the strategies employed to deal with rebellious landowners in Awadh was the Doctrine of Lapse. This policy, introduced by Lord Dalhousie, aimed to annex princely states whose rulers died without a natural heir. By implementing this policy, the British were able to annex Awadh in 1856 after accusing the ruler, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, of mismanagement and incompetence. This action led to widespread discontent among the landowners and people of Awadh, eventually contributing to the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
