James Andrew Dalhousie

Born Apr. 22, 1812, in Scotland, on his family’s estate: died there Dec. 19, 1860. Lord: British politician. Supporter of the Whigs, the liberal party.

In 1837, Dalhousie became a member of the House of Commons and in 1838 a member of the House of Lords. From January 1848 to February 1856 he was governor-general of India. Using what came to be called the doctrine of escheated domains (depriving princes and feudal lords of the right to appoint adopted heirs), he conducted a policy in India of annexation of principalities and confiscation of the lands of the feudal lords and the clergy. He added Punjab (1849), the principality of Satara (1848), Nagpur and Jhansi (1853), Oudh (1856). and other areas to the possessions of the British East India Company. In 1853 he conquered Pegu in Burma. His policy helped bring about the popular uprising in India that lasted from 1857 to 1859.