Explanation: Traditionally Hindu custom allowed the adoption of a son in the absence of male heirs. The adopted son had the right to inherit property.

• Before Dalhousie’s arrival, the custom was to obtain the sanction of the Company government before or after adoption.
• Governor General Dalhousie held that the paramount power could legally refuse to sanction adoption in the case of rulers of States dependent on it.
• This meant that dependent States could be regarded as lapsed to the paramount power, by its refusal to sanction the succession of adopted sons.
• By applying this policy known as Doctrine of Lapse, the first state to fall was Satara.

Source: Tamil Nadu NCERT