Question

Who became the first Governor General of Bengal?
A)Lord Dalhousie
B)Lord Warren Hastings
C)Lord Cannings
D)Lord Cornwallis

Answer 1

Hint: 1)He was the first head of the Supreme Council of Bengal.
2)He was also the first Governor of the Fort William Presidency.

Complete answer:
Lord Warren Hastings was a British statesman residing in the capital of Bengal, which was Murshidabad. He came to Bengal as an ambassador but under the dominance of the East India Company, he often had to issue orders on behalf of Robert Clive to the new Nawab of Bengal.

In 1771, he was appointed as the Governor of Calcutta which was the most important province during that time. As Governor he launched a huge crackdown to stop the bandits operating in Bengal. This measure proved to be very successful. Hence, he also became the choice for being the first Governor General of Bengal.

In 1773, the British Parliament passed the Regulating Act of 1773, to control the management of the East India Company (since the officers were all corrupted). This Act promoted a centralized form of control. It brought the Madras and Bombay presidencies under the control of the Bengal Presidency and elevated Lord Warren Hastings from governor to Governor General of Bengal.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Note: After he had served the office for 12 years, Hasting resigned in 1782.
He returned to England, where he was impeached at the House of Commons for the crimes that he committed during his time in the Bengal Presidency.
He was replaced by Lord Cornwallis.