Correct option is B
The correct answer is (b) Lord Dalhousie.
· Lord Dalhousie, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, described the kingdom of Awadh as ‘a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day’.
· This statement reflected his policy of annexation and expansion, which was part of the broader strategy of the British East India Company to consolidate its power in India.
· Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of Lapse, a policy that allowed the British to annex any princely state where the ruler was either incompetent or died without a male heir, and Awadh was eventually annexed by the British in 1856.
Information Booster:
· Lord Curzon: Lord Curzon was the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, known for the partition of Bengal in 1905.
· Warren Hastings: Warren Hastings served as the first Governor-General of Bengal from 1772 to 1785. He played a significant role in establishing British control in India.
· Lord Wellesley: Lord Wellesley served as Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805 and is known for his aggressive expansionist policies.