---
title: "Lord Dalhousie: Governor-General of India | Model Diplomat"
description: "Lord Dalhousie was Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, known for the Doctrine of Lapse and significant administrative reforms."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/lord-dalhousie"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Lord Dalhousie was Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, remembered for the Doctrine of Lapse, extensive annexations, and major administrative and infrastructural modernisation.
- What was the Doctrine of Lapse and which states did Dalhousie annex under it?
- On what ground was Awadh annexed in 1856, and why is it important?
- What were Lord Dalhousie's main modernising reforms?
- What was Wood's Despatch of 1854 and its connection to Dalhousie?

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In 1853 Lord Dalhousie annexed Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse, refusing to recognise Rani Lakshmibai's adopted son Damodar Rao, an act that drove the Rani into the 1857 Revolt.

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