Arrival of Warren Hastings

The arrival of Warren Hastings in India marked the beginning of a transformative era in the history of British administration in the subcontinent. Serving initially as a Company official and later as the first Governor-General of Bengal (1774–1785), Hastings played a decisive role in shaping the early foundations of British rule in India. His arrival symbolised a shift from the East India Company’s mercantile operations to a structured political and administrative system, laying the groundwork for colonial governance.

Early Life and Career

Warren Hastings was born in 1732 in Churchill, Oxfordshire, England. He joined the East India Company in 1750 as a writer (junior clerk) and was sent to India at the age of 18. His early years were spent in Calcutta (Kolkata) and Murshidabad, where he gained experience in trade, Indian languages, and local politics.
Hastings’ arrival in India coincided with the Company’s growing political power following its victories in the Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764), which had established British supremacy in Bengal. He quickly rose through the ranks due to his administrative skill and deep understanding of Indian society.

First Arrival and Early Administrative Experience

Warren Hastings first arrived in India in October 1750 and was posted to Bengal as a Company servant. His early administrative training took place under the supervision of Company officials at Kasimbazar and Calcutta. After the Battle of Plassey, the Company acquired Diwani rights (revenue collection) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765, marking the beginning of British territorial rule in India.
During this phase, Hastings became Resident at Murshidabad, the capital of the Nawab of Bengal, where he worked closely with Indian officials and learned Persian and Bengali. His exposure to Indian governance and culture influenced his later administrative philosophy, which sought to integrate Indian traditions with British systems.
He returned to England in 1764 for a brief period but came back to India in 1769 as a member of the Madras Council, where he gained further experience in administrative and diplomatic matters.

Appointment as Governor of Bengal

In 1772, Warren Hastings was appointed Governor of Bengal by the Court of Directors of the East India Company, succeeding John Cartier. His formal assumption of office at Fort William, Calcutta, marked his second arrival in India and the beginning of his most impactful period.
When Hastings arrived as Governor, the Company’s governance was in a state of disorder. The dual administration system established after 1765 — with the Nawab responsible for civil administration and the Company for revenue collection — had led to corruption, inefficiency, and financial crisis. Hastings was tasked with restoring order, reforming administration, and stabilising revenue collection.

Arrival as Governor-General of Bengal

The Regulating Act of 1773, passed by the British Parliament, reorganised the structure of the East India Company’s government in India. It created the office of the Governor-General of Bengal with supervisory authority over Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
Warren Hastings was chosen as the first Governor-General of Bengal, and his appointment became effective in October 1774. With his arrival as Governor-General, a new phase of British administration began — one characterised by centralised authority, judicial reform, and political consolidation.

Administrative Reforms Introduced after His Arrival

Hastings’ tenure in India was marked by a series of pioneering reforms aimed at strengthening the Company’s governance structure:

1. Revenue Reforms (1772–1777):
   • Abolished the Dual System of Administration, bringing revenue collection and civil justice directly under Company control.
   • Introduced the Settlement System, leasing revenue collection to local zamindars or farmers.
   • Appointed European officers known as Collectors to oversee districts and ensure accountability.
2. Judicial Reforms:
   • Established two new courts at Calcutta in 1772 — the Diwani Adalat (civil court) and the Faujdari Adalat (criminal court).
   • Codified laws based on Hindu and Muslim legal traditions, appointing Indian law officers (pandits and qazis) to advise judges.
   • Founded the Calcutta Supreme Court (1774) under the Regulating Act to serve as the highest judicial authority for Europeans and Indians in British territories.
3. Administrative Centralisation:
   • Divided Bengal into districts under British Collectors for efficient governance.
   • Introduced the Board of Revenue to supervise financial administration.
   • Reduced corruption by enforcing strict regulations for Company servants.
4. Educational and Cultural Initiatives:
   • Promoted oriental learning by supporting the establishment of the Calcutta Madrasa (1781) for Islamic studies.
   • Later encouraged the founding of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (1784) by Sir William Jones, fostering research into Indian languages, culture, and history.
5. Military and Foreign Policy:
   • Strengthened the Company’s military control over eastern India.
   • Pursued pragmatic diplomacy with Indian states such as Oudh, Hyderabad, and Marathas to secure Company interests.
   • His alliances, such as the Treaty of Faizabad (1775) and the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782), reflected his cautious approach to expansion.

Relations with the Supreme Council and Political Challenges

The Regulating Act of 1773 established a Supreme Council of Bengal comprising four members — Philip Francis, Richard Barwell, George Monson, and Clavering — to assist the Governor-General.
Hastings faced bitter conflicts with his council, particularly with Philip Francis, who accused him of autocratic behaviour and corruption. Their disputes over administrative policies and personal rivalries severely affected governance in Bengal.
In 1780, Hastings fought a duel with Philip Francis, injuring him seriously — an event that became infamous in colonial history.

Significance of His Arrival and Tenure

Warren Hastings’ arrival and governance marked several turning points in British India:

• He laid the foundation of a centralised administrative system that continued under later Governors-General.
• His reforms introduced the concept of rule of law and codified justice, blending Indian traditions with British legal principles.
• He brought stability to Bengal’s finances and strengthened the Company’s political legitimacy.
• His policies created a model of governance that transformed the East India Company from a trading body into a territorial power.

However, his tenure was also controversial. His military campaigns and financial dealings drew criticism both in India and Britain, leading to his impeachment trial (1787–1795) in the British Parliament — though he was eventually acquitted.

Legacy

The legacy of Warren Hastings’ arrival in India lies in his dual role as a reformer and imperial architect. His administration established the principles of efficient governance, legal codification, and fiscal responsibility that shaped British India for the next century.
While criticised for his autocratic style and the harshness of some measures, Hastings’ understanding of Indian society and his efforts to adapt governance to local traditions set him apart from many of his successors.
He remains a pivotal figure in Indian colonial history — the man who transformed the East India Company’s dominion into the foundations of a modern bureaucratic state.