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Warren Hastings (1772–1785)

  • Warren Hastings was the last Governor of Bengal and the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773.

  • The Regulating Act also brought an end to the Dual Government System in

         Bengal.

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Administrative Reforms

  • Direct rule of the Company replaced the Dual Government.

  • A Supreme Council of Four Members was established to assist the

       Governor-General.

  • Introduced revenue reforms for better collection and management.

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Judicial Reforms

  • Established Sadar Diwani Adalat (Civil Court).

  • Established Sadar Nizamat Adalat (Criminal Court).​​

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Trade & Regulation

  • Abolished the Dastak System.

  • Established Octroi Boards at Murshidabad, Munger, Calcutta, Dhaka, and Patna.

  • Reduced taxes by 2.5%, except on salt, areca nut, and tobacco.

  • Transferred the treasury from Murshidabad to Calcutta.

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Legislation & Governance

  • Oversaw the implementation of Pitt’s India Act (1784), which brought parliamentary control over the Company.

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Education & Culture

  • Established the Asiatic Society of Bengal (1784).

  • Founded the Madrasa ‘Aliya’ at Calcutta, later transformed into Aliah University (2007).

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Revenue Reforms

  • Established a Committee of Revenue (1772) with 5 members (3 from the East India Company, 2 from the Governor-General’s Council).

  • Appointed an Indian officer, Ray Rayan, to assist and advise the Revenue Board.

Other Contributions

  • Supported the Cartographical survey of India by James Rennell.

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Military & Political Affairs

  • Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784): Concluded with the Treaty of Mangalore.

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  • Rohilla War (1774): With British support, Shuja-ud-Daula attacked the Rohillas; their leader Hafiz Rahmat Khan was killed.

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  • First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782): Ended in a stalemate; the British gained Salsette and Broach, but promised not to interfere in Maratha affairs.

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  • Policy of Ring Fence: Aimed to protect British territories by creating a “ring” of buffer states around them.

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  • Treaty of Benares (1773): Transferred Allahabad and Kara districts from Shah Alam II to the Nawab of Awadh; a Resident was appointed at the court of Awadh.

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  • Nand Kumar Case: Nand Kumar was arrested and executed on charges of forgery in 1775, often considered a controversial and politically motivated case.

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