Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: The ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ formulated by Governor-General Dalhousie disregarded the right of an adopted heir to the throne and the state automatically lapsed into British dominion if the ruler died without any biological heir. Reason R: The Doctrine of Lapse was one part of Dalhousie’s programme of bringing a unified India under strict control by doing away with alternative sovereignties held by Indian rulers and princes. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: