Doctrine of Lapse — Key Changes

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
N/A	N/A	The Doctrine of Lapse was an administrative policy of the British East India Company, not a constitutional article or law that could be 'amended' in the traditional sense. It was a unilateral interpretation and application of the Company's perceived paramountcy.	While not an 'amendment,' the policy was effectively 'revoked' or 'abandoned' by the British Crown after the 1857 Revolt. The Queen's Proclamation of 1858 explicitly assured Indian rulers that their territories would not be annexed and that the right to adoption would be respected. This marked a significant policy shift, aimed at securing the loyalty of princely states and preventing future rebellions.