“A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day.” Who said this about Awadh in 1851?

Correct option is C

In 1851, Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India (1848–1856), made this remark about Awadh (Oudh). The
phrase "a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day" metaphorically suggested that Awadh was ripe for British
annexation and would eventually come under British rule without much effort. Dalhousie, a strong advocate of the
Doctrine of Lapse, was looking for an opportunity to annex Awadh, which was one of the most prosperous and
strategically important princely states in northern India.
Dalhousie justified the annexation of Awadh on the grounds of misgovernance by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, claiming that
the British had to intervene to ensure better administration. In 1856, under his policy of expansion, Awadh was formally
annexed by the British, leading to widespread resentment among the Indian populace. This later became one of the
major causes of the Revolt of 1857, as Awadh’s people, including the sepoys recruited from the region, felt betrayed.
Information Booster:
Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856):
•Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse, leading to the annexation of states like Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur.
•Annexed Punjab (1849), Berar (1853), and Awadh (1856).
•Played a key role in the expansion of British territories in India.
Awadh’s Annexation (1856):
•Awadh was a wealthy and agriculturally rich region under Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
•British cited "misgovernance" as the reason for its annexation.
•This decision led to mass discontent, especially among soldiers and landlords, fueling the 1857 Revolt.
Additional Knowledge:
•L ord Mayo (1869–1872): Known for establishing Mayo College (Ajmer) and prison reforms.
• Lord Elgin (1862–1863): Governor-General during the 1860s, known for suppressing revolts.
• Lord Wellesley (1798–1805): Implemented the Subsidiary Alliance System, forcing Indian rulers to accept British
supremacy.