1.

Doctrine of Lapse:

The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie that allowed the
British East India Company to annex Indian states whose rulers did not have natural
heirs. This policy was controversial because it went against the traditional Indian
practice of adopting an heir or appointing one from within the royal family. As a
result, several Indian states, such as Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur, were annexed by the
British, leading to widespread resentment among the Indian nobility and ruling
classes. The Doctrine of Lapse was seen as a symbol of British greed and an affront to
Indian sovereignty.

2. Alleged misrule:

Lord Dalhousie's tenure as Governor-General of India was marked by several

allegations of misrule, including corruption, nepotism, and neglect of Indian interests.
His policies, such as the Doctrine of Lapse and the introduction of English as the
official language of India, were seen as insensitive and unfair by many Indians.
Moreover, his attempts to modernize India were often criticized for being elitist and
benefiting only a small section of society. These allegations of misrule and
incompetence contributed to the growing resentment against British rule in India.

3. Discourtesy to the Mughal Emperor:

As Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie was responsible for managing the

relationship between the British East India Company and the Mughal Emperor,
Bahadur Shah Zafar. However, his actions were often seen as disrespectful and
discourteous towards the Emperor. For example, Lord Dalhousie refused to allow the
Emperor to use the traditional imperial seal on official documents, instead insisting
that it be replaced with the seal of the British East India Company. This was seen as a
deliberate attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the Mughal Emperor and assert
British dominance in India.

4. Refusal of Pension to Nana Saheb:

Nana Saheb was a prominent Indian leader who played a key role in the Indian
Rebellion of 1857. He was also the adopted son of the last Peshwa of the Maratha
Empire, and therefore entitled to a pension from the British East India Company.
However, Lord Dalhousie refused to grant him a pension, citing the Doctrine of Lapse
as justification. This decision was seen as particularly callous and insensitive, as it left
Nana Saheb destitute and contributed to his growing resentment against British rule.