First Governor General of India- Warren Hastings

Warren Hastings: Warren Hastings, born in 1732, played a key figure in the early administrative history of British India. During a crucial period in India’s colonial history, Hastings, served as India’s first Governor-General from 1773 to 1785, significantly influencing the country’s policies and governance. His tenure & his legacy had key moments such as the abolition of the dual system, revenue and judicial reforms, trade regulations, etc.

Let us study more about Warren Hastings and his policies!

Warren Hastings

First Governor General of India- Warren Hastings

Aspect	Overview
Full Name	Warren Hastings
Birth	December 6, 1732
Death	August 22, 1818
Nationality	British
Occupation	Statesman, Governor-General of Bengal
Achievements	– Served as the first Governor-General of Bengal (1774-1785), effectively becoming the first Governor-General of British India. – Played a significant role in the expansion of British influence in India.<br>- Implemented administrative and judicial reforms. – Established the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Calcutta. <br>- Known for his policies of centralization and revenue reforms.
Controversies	– Impeached by the British Parliament on charges of corruption and abuse of power, though he was ultimately acquitted – Controversial actions during his tenure, including the trial and execution of Maharaja Nandakumar and the treatment of the Rohilla Afghans.
Legacy	– Considered a pivotal figure in the history of British India.<br>- His administrative reforms laid the foundation for British rule in India.<br>- His impeachment trial set important precedents for the accountability of colonial administrators.
Cause of Death	The exact cause of his death is not definitively known, as there are conflicting accounts and speculations. However, it is widely believed that Hastings died of natural causes, likely due to age-related ailments or illnesses.

Warren Hastings

The East India Company appointed Warren Hastings to serve as the Governor of Fort William in 1772. With the coming in of the Regulating Act of 1773, from being the Governor of Bengal, he rose to the position of the first Governor General of Bengal. He has studied various languages, including Bengali & Persian, and had an Orientalist perspective.

Several wars such as The Rohilla War, the First Anglo-Maratha War, and the Second Anglo-Mysore War all took place under his rule. In 1758, Warren was accepted as a British Resident in the city of Murshidabad. He was given the duties of a representative in Bengal. However, the East India Company at the time was in charge of Bengal. They were therefore charged with distributing the new Nawab regulations. He sent orders on behalf of Robert Clive.

Key Points About Warren Hastings

1. Warren Hastings started working for the East India Company in 1750 and later became the first Governor-General of Bengal in 1774.
2. Initially, he was the Governor of the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal.
3. When Mir Jafar became Nawab after the Battle of Plassey, Hastings became the British resident in the capital city of Murshidabad.
4. Two significant events during his time were the First Anglo-Maratha War and the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
5. Hastings played a role in passing the Regulating Act of 1773, which changed the governing system.
6. Additionally, he helped Sir William Jones establish the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1785, showing his interest in promoting intellectual pursuits in the region.
7. Warren Hastings was the subject of an impeachment attempt from 1787 to 1795, which was centered on his alleged misconduct during his tenure at Calcutta.
   • He was blamed for not managing things well and being personally corrupt.
   • Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament, led the process to accuse him.
   • After a long trial that went on for many years, Warren Hastings was found not guilty of the charges.
8. Hastings had worked for the East India Company at the Bengal Nawab courts from 1758 to 1761 and represented the company’s Council in Bengal from 1761 to 1764. He came back to England in 1765.

Systems Introduced By Warren Hastings

System Introduced	Overview
Administrative Reforms	– Centralization of administration, bringing various provinces under direct British control. – Introduction of the system of ‘dual government’, which allowed the British East India Company to exercise control over Indian territories while maintaining nominal allegiance to the Mughal Emperor.
Judicial Reforms	– Establishment of the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Calcutta in 1774. – Implementation of a new legal system based on English common law, replacing the existing Mughal legal system. – Efforts to ensure the impartiality and efficiency of the judicial system.
Revenue Reforms	– Implementation of the Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793, which fixed the land revenue to be paid by landholders to the British East India Company. – Introduction of the ryotwari system in some regions, where land revenue was assessed directly from individual cultivators (ryots).
Diplomatic Reforms	– Efforts to establish diplomatic relations with various Indian princely states and neighboring territories. – Negotiations and treaties aimed at extending British influence and securing alliances with local rulers.
Military Reforms	– Strengthening and reorganization of the British Indian Army, including recruitment, training, and modernization efforts. – Establishment of military stations and fortifications to secure British interests and defend against external threats.
Educational Reforms	– Support for the establishment of schools and colleges, including the Calcutta Madrasa and the Sanskrit College in Varanasi. – Promotion of Western education and the English language, alongside traditional Indian education systems.

Reforms of Warren Hastings

Warren Hastings was responsible for many reforms which had helped India in becoming independent nation and some of the most important and vital reforms are mentioned below:

Abolition of the Dual System

Abolition of dual system is explained below:

• Hastings made a great contribution when he abolished the dual system created by Robert Clive.
• In the Dual System, the Nizam or Indian Chiefs had administrative control while the corporation was granted Diwani privileges, the right to collect money.
• The Nawab’s yearly allowance was cut in half, from Rs.32 lakh to Rs.16 lakh.
• Before his era, there were a lot of conflicts and confusions because the British East India Company and its officers were collaborating with Indian kings.
• Hastings aimed to simplify the administration by reiterating the British Crown’s dominance over its Indian holdings.
• He was given the authority to assume leadership and enact changes by the Regulating Act of 1773.

Administrative Reforms

The Dual System brought in by Sir Robert Clive, was abolished mainly because of Warren Hastings. The following reforms which came up were:

• In 1772, the Dual system was abolished.  Warren Hasting also stopped the 26 lakhs payment made to the Mughal Emperor each year.
• The first Supreme Court of India in Calcutta based upon English law, was established by Warren Hastings.
• The Regulating Act of 1773 was passed during his tenure. Later, the Regulating Act of 1781, split the Supreme Court’s authority in Calcutta between the Government and that institution.
• Along with Sir William Jones, in 1784 he founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
• Once the Pitt’s India Act of 1784 came up, the Governor General’s Executive Council’s size was increased from three to four. 
  • The Board of Control was also established in England.
  • In 1772, Calcutta was designated as Bengal’s capital.

Revenue Reforms

A Board of Revenue came up in Calcutta which collected the taxes. In 1772, Calcutta officially became the capital of Bengal. The treasury was moved to the Calcutta from Murshidabad. The following reforms were undertaken:

• Hastings had serious concerns about British India’s financial viability.
• To address this, he implemented crucial revenue reforms.
• To make collecting revenues smoother, a Revenue Board was set up in Calcutta.
• Shifting the treasury from Murshidabad to Calcutta in 1772 made Calcutta the capital of Bengal.
• British Collectors and Accountant Generals were appointed.
• The establishment of the Permanent Settlement in Bengal in 1793 was one of the significant modifications.
• In order to give the British East India Company a steady cash stream, this method set the land revenue.
• Unreasonable penalties were eliminated, and rent increases were subject to limitations.
• It had contradictory effects, though, helping landlords while making peasants poorer.

Judicial Reforms

Numerous judicial reforms were undertaken by Warren Hastings when he was in charge, such as:

• The first step was the abolition of the zamindars’ judicial authority.
• Hastings implemented judicial changes after observing that the legal system needed to be more structured.
• An important accomplishment was creating the Supreme Court of Calcutta in 1774.
• Calcutta also had two other important courts: one for civil matters called Sadar Diwani Adalat, and another for criminal cases called Sadar Nizamat Adalat.
• An Indian Judge was appointed for the criminal court.
• Muslims would be judged according to the rules in the Quran, and Hindus would follow Hindu laws. To simplify things, a set of Hindu laws, created by Hindu scholars, was translated into English.
• The authority of the Zamindars in holding judicial powers was eliminated.
• The court sought to create an unbiased and equitable judicial system by fusing regional customs with British legal ideas.
• Hastings implemented strict measures in Bengal to combat dacoits.
• Hastings’ efforts established the groundwork for India’s eventual unification of its legal system.

Trade Regulations

Several regulations in trading brought in by Warren Hastings were:

• Hastings aimed at passing trade laws that would be advantageous to the British East India Company.
• His goals were to maintain the Company’s economic success while regulating and enhancing commerce.
• The dastak system, which had been abused by dealers and corporate leaders, was outlawed by Hastings.
• He imposed a standard 2.5% tariff for all Indian and foreign goods.
• Nevertheless, local businessmen and merchants who were negatively impacted by the new laws frequently opposed these actions.

Achievements of Warren Hastings

Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal, made several significant achievements during his tenure. Here’s a summary of some of his key accomplishments:

1. Expansion of British Influence: Hastings played a crucial role in expanding British influence in India. He established British control over various regions, effectively laying the groundwork for British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent.
2. Administrative Reforms: Hastings implemented administrative reforms aimed at centralizing authority and streamlining governance. He introduced the system of ‘dual government’, which allowed the British East India Company to exercise control over Indian territories while maintaining nominal allegiance to the Mughal Emperor.
3. Judicial Reforms: Hastings introduced significant judicial reforms in Bengal. He established the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Calcutta in 1774, implementing a new legal system based on English common law. These reforms aimed to ensure the impartiality and efficiency of the judicial system.
4. Revenue Reforms: Hastings implemented the Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793, which fixed the land revenue to be paid by landholders to the British East India Company. This system aimed to provide stability and predictability in revenue collection, albeit with mixed long-term consequences.
5. Diplomatic Endeavors: Hastings engaged in diplomatic efforts to establish relations with various Indian princely states and neighboring territories. He negotiated treaties and alliances to extend British influence and secure strategic interests in the region.
6. Military Strengthening: Hastings focused on strengthening and reorganizing the British Indian Army. He invested in recruitment, training, and modernization efforts, as well as the establishment of military stations and fortifications to defend British interests and counter external threats.
7. Promotion of Education: Hastings supported the establishment of schools and colleges, including the Calcutta Madrasa and the Sanskrit College in Varanasi. He promoted Western education and the English language alongside traditional Indian education systems, contributing to cultural exchange and intellectual development in British India.
8. Preservation of British Rule: Despite facing significant challenges and controversies, Hastings effectively managed to preserve and consolidate British rule in Bengal during his tenure. His leadership and governance laid the foundation for subsequent British colonial administration in India.

Major Wars Under Warren Hastings

Several wars like The Rohilla War, the First Anglo-Maratha War, and the Second Anglo-Mysore War took place under his rule.

Wars	Description
1. First Anglo Maratha War (1775-1782)	First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) was fought between the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company.  The English were compelled to sign a humiliating Treaty of Wadgaon ( 1779) with the Marathas in Wadgaon.  The Treaty of Wadgaon was rejected by General Warren Hastings. He sent a massive force of soldiers under the command of Colonel Goddard to conquer Bassein in December 1780 and Ahmedabad in February 1779. The Treaty of Salbai (1782) ended the First Phase of the Conflict.
2. Second Anglo Mysore War (1780-1784)	The second Anglo-Mysore War broke out as a result of a breach of the Treaty of Madras (1769).  Many arguments happened between Haider Ali and the British, which ultimately led to the second Anglo-Mysore war.
3. Rohilla War (1774)	Rohilkhand, a small kingdom came up between Oudh and the Marathas. It was controlled by Hafiz Rahmat Khan.  Warren Hastings was severely criticised for being involved in the Rohilla incident, which involved sending British troops against Rohilkhand.

Interesting Facts about Warren Hastings

• Warren Hasting being anti-European, was put by Siraj-ud-Daulah and others in prison at Kasimbazar. Soon after, he ran away and joined the Calcutta exiles on the island of Fulda.

• Later, he offered to join Robert Clive’s force. In 1758, he settled at Murshidabad as a British resident & would complete tasks on Robert Clive’s behalf.

• He was impeached between 1787 and 1795 on charges of his misconduct during his time in Kolkata (then Calcutta).
  • He was charged with mismanagement and personal corruption.
  • Edmund Burke (MP of Great Britain Parliament) led Warren Hasting’s impeachment.
  • Warren Hastings was acquitted by the end of a sever-years long impeachment trial.

• Warren Hastings was the East India Company’s (EIC) representative at the Bengal Nawab courts from 1758 to 1761. He also represented the company’s Council, the controlling body for its affairs in Bengal, from 1761 to 1764.

• While Hastings was in office, numerous attempts were made to build diplomatic relations with several Indian princely states. The signed treaties sought to prevent wars and preserve the balance of power. The British and the indigenous rulers were able to maintain peace and collaboration because of Hastings’ practical approach.

• He returned to England in 1765.

Conclusion

Warren Hastings was an employee of the East India Company in 1750, In 1758, he was accepted as a British Resident in Murshidabad. He was given the duties of a representative in Bengal. He sent orders on behalf of Robert Clive. Later on he became the first Governor-General of Bengal in 1774. Several wars like The Rohilla War, the First Anglo-Maratha War, and the Second Anglo-Mysore War took place under his rule.

Even with all of the controversy and criticism that surrounded his administration, Warren Hastings had a profound effect on British India. Even if they weren’t perfect, his administrative reforms set the stage for the later growth of the British colonial government. His complicated legacy reflects the complexities and difficulties of a pivotal time in India’s history during the British colonial era.

In conclusion, extensive administrative changes that influenced the direction of British authority in the subcontinent were implemented during Warren Hastings’ time as Governor-General of India. Hastings had a major influence on the development of early colonial government in India, bringing about important improvements in commerce, taxation, and the court, among other areas. He also abolished the dual system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was Warren Hastings famous for?

Warren Hastings was initially appointed as the Governor of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal), but later became the first Governor-General of Bengal in 1774 as well, until his retirement in 1785.

Who was the British Governor-General of India in 1818?

Warren Hastings, born in 1732, served as India’s first Governor-General from 1773 to 1785, significantly influencing the country’s policies and governance for the future.

What were the major reforms of Warren Hastings?

Warren Hastings imposed many revenue, judiciary and trade regulation reforms. Some of the significant ones included: The establishment of the Permanent Settlement in Bengal in 1793, The foundation of the Supreme Court of Calcutta in 1774 & Imposition of a standard 2.5% tariff for all Indian and foreign goods etc.

Why was Warren Hastings impeached?

Between 1787 and 1795, Warren Hastings was impeached on the charges of his misconduct during his time in Kolkata (then Calcutta). He was charged with mismanagement and personal corruption. Edmund Burke (MP of Great Britain Parliament) led his impeachment. Warren Hastings was acquitted by the end of a sever-years long impeachment trial.

What were the trade regulations brought in by Warren Hastings?

Several trade regulations that were brought in by Warren Hastings. He aimed at passing trade laws that would be of advantage to the British East India Company. He wanted to maintain the Company’s economic success while regulating and enhancing commerce. The ‘dastak’ system, which had been abused by dealers and corporate leaders, was outlawed by Hastings. He imposed a standard 2.5% tariff for all Indian and foreign goods.Nevertheless, local businessmen and merchants who were negatively impacted by the new laws frequently opposed these actions.