The Governor-General who was impeacheda)Lord Dalhousieb)Lord Mountbatt...
The Governor-General who was impeached:
The Governor-General who was impeached was Warren Hastings.
Explanation:
- Warren Hastings served as the Governor-General of Bengal from 1772 to 1785.
- He was accused of various acts of corruption and abuse of power during his tenure.
- The impeachment proceedings against Warren Hastings began in 1787 and lasted for several years.
- The impeachment trial took place in the British Parliament and was one of the most significant political trials of the 18th century.
- Hastings was charged with high crimes and misdemeanors, including mismanagement of the East India Company's affairs in India and unjust treatment of Indian rulers and citizens.
- The trial concluded in 1795, and Warren Hastings was eventually acquitted of all charges.
- Despite the acquittal, the impeachment trial had far-reaching consequences for the governance of British India and the relationship between the British and Indian people.
- It highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in the administration of the East India Company's territories in India.
The Governor-General who was impeacheda)Lord Dalhousieb)Lord Mountbatt...
The correct answer is option 'C', Warren Hastings.
Explanation:
Warren Hastings was the Governor-General of India from 1773 to 1785. He was the first Governor-General of Bengal, serving under the British East India Company. However, he was also the first Governor-General to be impeached.
Here is a detailed explanation of why Warren Hastings was impeached:
1. Background:
- During his tenure as Governor-General, Warren Hastings made several decisions and policies that were controversial.
- He was accused of corruption, bribery, and misuse of power.
2. The Impeachment Process:
- The impeachment process began in 1786 when Hastings returned to England after his term as Governor-General.
- The British Parliament appointed a committee called the "Committee of Impeachment" to investigate the charges against Hastings.
3. Charges against Warren Hastings:
- The charges against Warren Hastings were divided into three categories: political, commercial, and financial.
a) Political Charges:
- Hastings was accused of making unjust treaties and alliances with Indian rulers.
- He was also accused of waging wars without proper justification.
b) Commercial Charges:
- Hastings was accused of favoring the British East India Company and granting it monopolies.
- He was also accused of interfering with the trade and commerce of Indian merchants.
c) Financial Charges:
- Hastings was accused of misappropriating funds and embezzlement.
- He was also accused of imposing heavy taxes on the Indian population.
4. The Trial:
- The trial against Warren Hastings lasted for several years, from 1788 to 1795.
- It was one of the longest and most significant trials in British parliamentary history.
- Famous politicians and statesmen, including Edmund Burke, Richard Sheridan, and William Pitt the Younger, were involved in the trial.
5. Acquittal and Legacy:
- Warren Hastings was ultimately acquitted of all charges in 1795.
- However, the impeachment trial had a significant impact on the governance of British India.
- It led to the passing of the Regulating Act of 1773, which aimed to bring more accountability and control over the actions of the Governor-General.
In conclusion, Warren Hastings was the Governor-General who was impeached. He faced a lengthy impeachment trial in the British Parliament, where he was accused of various charges related to his tenure as Governor-General of Bengal. Although he was ultimately acquitted, the trial had a significant impact on the governance of British India.
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