Warren Hastings (1773-1785)

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Warren Hastings (1773-1785)

Became Governor in 1772 and Governor-General in 1773 through Regulating Act of 1773

  1. His four councillors were Clavering, Francis, Monson and Barwell
  2. Abolished Dual system(1767-1772) of administration (1772)
  3. Auctioned the right to collect land revenue to the highest bidder (1772)
  4. Divided Bengal into districts and appointed Collectors (1772)
  5. Rohilla war(1774) and annexation of Rohilkhand by the Nawab of Awadh with the help of Britishers.
  6. Treaty of Surat(1775) between Raghunath Rao and Warren Hastings, but Council of Calcutta rejected it
  7. Nanad Kumar incident (1775)
  8. Treaty of Purandar(1776) between English and Peshwa
  9. Refined Hindu and Muslim laws. A translation of the code in Sanskrit appeared in 1776 under the title of “Code of Gentoo Laws”
  10. Chait Singh(Banaras Raja) affair (1778)
  11. James Augustus Hickey started a weekly paper called Bengal Gazette or Calcutta General Advertiser (1780)
  12. First (1st) Anglo-Maratha War (1776-82) and Treaty of Salbai(1782)
  13. Begums of Oudh / Awadh affair (1782)
  14. Founded Asiatic Society of Bengalwith William Jonesin 1784
  15. Pitts India Act of 1784
  16. Second (2nd) Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84) and Treaty of Mangalore (1785) with Tipu Sultan
  17. Started Diwani and Faujdari adalat at the district leveland Sadar diwani and Nizamat adalats(appellate courts) at Calcutta.
  18. Wrote introduction to thefirst English translation of the Gitaby Charles Wilkins

 

Abolition of the Dual System

  • Hastings abolished the Dual System that had been established by Robert Clive. In the Dual System, the company had Diwani rights (rights to collect revenue) and the Nizam or Indian chiefs had the administrative authority.
  • The Nawab’s annual allowance of Rs.32 lakh was reduced to Rs.16 lakh.
  • The annual tribute paid to the Mughal Emperor was also stopped.

 

Revenue Reforms

  • For revenue collection, a Board of Revenue was set up at Calcutta.
  • Treasury was moved from Murshidabad to Calcutta. Calcutta became Bengal’s capital in 1772.
  • British collectors were appointed for each district and an Accountant General was also appointed.
  • Unreasonable fines were done away with and restrictions were placed on the raising of rent.

 

Judicial Reforms

  • The judicial powers of the Zamindars were abolished.
  • Civil and criminal courts were established. Two appellate courts were established at Calcutta, one for civil (Sadar Diwani Adalat) and one for criminal (Sadar Nizamat Adalat) cases.
  • The criminal court was to have an Indian judge.
  • Muslims were to be tried according to their law in the Koran and Hindus, according to Hindu laws. A code of Hindu Law, prepared by Hindu Pandits was translated into English.
  • He also came down heavily on the dacoits in Bengal.

 

Trade Regulations

  • Hastings abolished the system of dastaks which were misused by company officials and traders earlier.
  • He enforced a uniform tarrif of 2.5% for Indian and foreign goods.
  • Private trade by company officials was restricted.

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Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of India. He served from 1773 to 1785. Hastings was a controversial figure in Indian history. Some historians view him as a great statesman who helped to modernize India. Others view him as a corrupt tyrant who exploited the Indian people.

Hastings was born in Churchill, Oxfordshire, England, on 6 December 1732. He was the son of a clergyman. Hastings was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford.

In 1750, Hastings joined the East India Company. He served in India for many years, rising to the position of Governor of Bengal in 1772.

Hastings was appointed Governor-General of India in 1773. He served in this position until 1785. During his time as Governor-General, Hastings oversaw the expansion of British rule in India. He also introduced a number of reforms, including the establishment of a Supreme Court and the introduction of English Education.

In 1787, Hastings was impeached by the House of Commons on charges of Corruption and abuse of power. He was acquitted by the House of Lords in 1795.

After his acquittal, Hastings retired from public life. He died in London on 22 August 1818.

Hastings’ legacy is complex and controversial. Some historians view him as a great statesman who helped to modernize India. Others view him as a corrupt tyrant who exploited the Indian people.

Hastings’ supporters argue that he was a strong and effective leader who helped to bring stability and order to India. They also point to his many reforms, which they argue helped to improve the lives of the Indian people.

Hastings’ critics argue that he was a corrupt and self-serving ruler who used his position to enrich himself and his friends. They also point to his use of violence and coercion to suppress dissent.

Ultimately, Hastings’ legacy is a matter of debate. He was a complex and contradictory figure who left a lasting impact on India.

Here are some additional details about Hastings’ life and career:

  • Hastings was born into a family of modest means. His father was a clergyman who struggled to make ends meet.
  • Hastings was a bright and ambitious young man. He excelled at school and won a scholarship to Oxford University.
  • After graduating from Oxford, Hastings joined the East India Company. He served in India for many years, rising through the ranks of the company.
  • In 1772, Hastings was appointed Governor of Bengal. He was the first British official to hold this position.
  • As Governor of Bengal, Hastings oversaw the expansion of British rule in India. He also introduced a number of reforms, including the establishment of a Supreme Court and the introduction of English education.
  • In 1787, Hastings was impeached by the House of Commons on charges of corruption and abuse of power. He was acquitted by the House of Lords in 1795.
  • After his acquittal, Hastings retired from public life. He died in London in 1818.

Hastings’ life and career were marked by both success and controversy. He was a complex and contradictory figure who left a lasting impact on India.

What is the history of the British East India Company?

The British East India Company was a joint-stock company that was formed in 1600. It was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I, which gave it the exclusive right to trade with India. The company quickly became one of the most powerful and influential companies in the world. It established trading posts and colonies throughout India, and it played a major role in the development of the Indian subcontinent.

What was the role of the British East India Company in the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

The British East India Company was a major player in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The company’s policies of economic exploitation and religious discrimination had alienated many Indians, and the rebellion was a direct result of this discontent. The company’s army was defeated by the rebels, and the British government took direct control of India in 1858.

What was the impact of the British East India Company on India?

The British East India Company had a profound impact on India. It introduced Western technology and ideas to the subcontinent, and it helped to modernize the Indian economy. However, the company’s policies also led to widespread POVERTY and social unrest. The company’s rule came to an end in 1858, when the British government took direct control of India.

What is the legacy of the British East India Company?

The British East India Company is a complex and controversial topic. Some historians argue that the company was a positive force in India, while others argue that it was a destructive force. The company’s legacy is still debated today.

What are some of the criticisms of the British East India Company?

The British East India Company has been criticized for its policies of economic exploitation and religious discrimination. The company’s army was also accused of atrocities against Indian civilians. The company’s rule has been blamed for widespread poverty and social unrest in India.

What are some of the defenses of the British East India Company?

The British East India Company has been defended for its role in modernizing the Indian economy and introducing Western technology and ideas to the subcontinent. The company’s rule has also been credited with helping to unify India and create a sense of national identity.

What is the future of the British East India Company?

The British East India Company is no longer a trading company. It was dissolved in 1874. However, the company’s legacy continues to be debated today.

  1. The first Governor-General of India was:
    (a) Warren Hastings
    (b) Lord Cornwallis
    (c) Lord Dalhousie
    (d) Lord Canning

  2. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was also known as:
    (a) The Sepoy Mutiny
    (b) The Indian Mutiny
    (c) The First War of Indian Independence
    (d) The Indian Revolt

  3. The Indian National Congress was founded in:
    (a) 1885
    (b) 1895
    (c) 1905
    (d) 1915

  4. The first Prime Minister of India was:
    (a) Jawaharlal Nehru
    (b) Mahatma Gandhi
    (c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
    (d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

  5. The partition of India took place in:
    (a) 1947
    (b) 1948
    (c) 1949
    (d) 1950

  6. The capital of India is:
    (a) New Delhi
    (b) Mumbai
    (c) Chennai
    (d) Kolkata

  7. The national language of India is:
    (a) Hindi
    (b) English
    (c) Bengali
    (d) Tamil

  8. The currency of India is:
    (a) Rupee
    (b) Dollar
    (c) Pound
    (d) Euro

  9. The Population of India is over:
    (a) 1 billion
    (b) 2 billion
    (c) 3 billion
    (d) 4 billion

  10. India is a member of the:
    (a) United Nations
    (b) Commonwealth of Nations
    (c) Non-Aligned Movement
    (d) All of the above

Answers:
1. (a)
2. (a)
3. (a)
4. (a)
5. (a)
6. (a)
7. (a)
8. (a)
9. (a)
10. (d)

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