Eduqo
Modern Indian History›Ch 2: British Policies & Reforms›Important Governors-General
Master key reforms of Warren Hastings to Dalhousie for competitive exams
Governors-General shaped British expansion and administrative machinery in India. Questions repeatedly test their key reforms, acts, and expansion policies like Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse.
Smart Memory Hooks
| Governor-General | Tenure | Key Measure / Reform |
|---|---|---|
| Warren Hastings | 1773–1785 | Regulating Act, Asiatic Society |
| Lord Cornwallis | 1786–1793 | Permanent Settlement, Civil Services |
| Lord Wellesley | 1798–1805 | Subsidiary Alliance system |
| Lord William Bentinck | 1828–1835 | Abolition of Sati (1829) |
| Lord Dalhousie | 1848–1856 | Doctrine of Lapse, Railway |
Permanent
(Cornwallis Revenue System)
Cornwallis Revenue System
Introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal in 1793.
Subsidiary
(Wellesley Alliance Pact)
Wellesley Alliance Pact
Hyderabad was the first state to accept it in 1798.
Abolition
(Bentinck Social Reform)
Bentinck Social Reform
Abolished Sati practice with law in 1829.
Lapse
(Dalhousie Annexation Tool)
Dalhousie Annexation Tool
Satara was the first state annexed under it in 1848.
First Governor-General of India was Warren HastingsFirst Governor-General of India was William Bentinck
Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal (1773); William Bentinck was the first of British India (1833).
Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by WellesleyDoctrine of Lapse was introduced by Dalhousie
Wellesley introduced Subsidiary Alliance, whereas Dalhousie introduced Doctrine of Lapse.
Sati was abolished by Lord CornwallisSati was abolished by Lord William Bentinck
Regulation XVII banning Sati was enacted in 1829 by Lord William Bentinck with Raja Ram Mohan Roy's support.
Q1.Who among the following introduced the Subsidiary Alliance system?
Q2.The practice of Sati was declared illegal and abolished in which year?