Explanation: The annexation of Punjab by the British was a significant event in the history of British colonialism in India. It was achieved through military conflict, specifically the Anglo-Sikh Wars, rather than through policies such as the Doctrine of Lapse or the Subsidiary Alliance.
The Anglo-Sikh Wars were a series of military conflicts between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire. The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846) was triggered by the British desire to control the Punjab region, which was strategically important due to its location and resources. The war ended with the Treaty of Lahore, which resulted in the cession of Jammu and Kashmir to the British and the reduction of the Sikh army. However, the Sikh Empire was not fully annexed at this point.
The Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-1849) was a direct result of the dissatisfaction among the Sikh population with the terms of the Treaty of Lahore and the British interference in the internal affairs of the Sikh Empire. This war ended with the complete defeat of the Sikh Empire and the formal annexation of Punjab by the British East India Company. The British then incorporated Punjab into their territories, marking the end of the Sikh Empire and the beginning of British rule in the region.
The Doctrine of Lapse, on the other hand, was a policy used by the British to annex territories where a ruler died without a natural heir. This policy was applied in the annexation of other Indian states such as Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur, but it was not used in the case of Punjab. The Subsidiary Alliance was another policy used by the British to control Indian states by stationing British troops within them and requiring the state to pay for their maintenance. This policy was not used in the annexation of Punjab either.
In conclusion, the annexation of Punjab was achieved through direct military action, specifically the Anglo-Sikh Wars, rather than through the Doctrine of Lapse or the Subsidiary Alliance. This event marked a significant expansion of British control in India and had long-lasting impacts on the region's political and social landscape.