Lord Dalhousie was an important figure in the history of modern India & was the youngest Governor-General of India when he assumed charge at the age of 36 in 1848.

Reforms & Policies of Dalhousie:

1.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
•  According to Dalhousie, if such permission was refused by the British, the state would “lapse” and thereby become part of the British India
•  Dalhousie maintained that there was a difference in principle between the right to inherit private property and the right to govern.

 This principle was called the Doctrine of Lapse.

2.Railway

•  The introduction railways in India inaugurated a new economic era
• In 1853, he penned his Railway Minute formulating the future policy of railways in India.
• . He started the “guarantee system” by which the railway companies were guaranteed a minimum interest of five percent on their investment

3.Telegraph

•  Similarly, the use of Telegraph brought marvelous changes in communication system.
• 4. About 4000 miles long Telegraph lines were laid before the departure of Dalhousie

4.Postal System

•  The foundation of modern postal system was laid down by Lord Dalhousie.
•  Postage stamps were introduced for the first time.