"Doctrine of Lapse" policy was introduced during the period 1848-1856 of this Governor General.

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d).
Explanation
The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. Under this policy, if the ruler of a princely state died without a natural male heir, the state was annexed by the British East India Company. Adopted sons were not recognized as legitimate successors for political inheritance.
Additional Information
· Option {a} is incorrect because {Lord Hastings served as Governor-General from 1813 to 1823 and was not associated with the Doctrine of Lapse}.
· Option {b} is incorrect because {Lord Cornwallis is remembered for the Permanent Settlement and administrative reforms, not for the Doctrine of Lapse}.
· Option {c} is incorrect because {Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India and the first Governor-General of independent India. He had no connection with the Doctrine of Lapse}.
· {States annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse included Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi, Nagpur, and Jaitpur. The policy became one of the major causes of the Revolt of 1857.}