Who among the following devised a policy that came to be known as the Doctrine of Lapse?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) Lord Dalhousie.
 The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy devised by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856.
 According to this policy, any princely state or territory under the direct influence (paramountcy) of the British East India Company would automatically be annexed if the ruler was either "manifestly incompetent or died without a direct heir."
 The Doctrine of Lapse was used by the British to annex several Indian states, including Satara (1848), Jaipur (1849), Sambalpur (1849), Bhagat (1850), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854).
Information Booster:
Lord Ellenborough:
 Served as the Governor-General of India from 1842 to 1844.
 Known for his controversial policies, including the withdrawal of British forces from Afghanistan after the First Anglo-Afghan War.
Lord William Bentinck:
 Served as the Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835.
 Known for his social reforms such as the abolition of Sati and the suppression of Thuggee.
 Implemented the English Education Act of 1835, promoting Western education.
Lord Canning:
 Served as the Governor-General of India from 1856 to 1862 and became the first Viceroy of India in 1858 after the British Crown took over the administration from the East India Company.
 Known for his role during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the subsequent establishment of direct British rule over India.