UPSC Prelims 2007 Q61: Modern History – British Administration & Economic Policies

UPSC Prelims 2007, General Studies Paper I · Modern History

1. (a) 1 only
2. (b) 2 only
3. (c) Both 1 and 2
4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation

First Governor / Governor-General titles

Statement 1: Clive was the first Governor-General of Bengal — FALSE.

Clive was Governor of Bengal; the first G-G of Bengal was Warren Hastings.

Statement 2: Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India — TRUE.

Answer: (b) 2 only.

Why each option is right or wrong

• (a) Incorrect. Clive was only Governor of Bengal; the G-G title began with Warren Hastings (1773).
• (b) CORRECT. Only Statement 2 holds — Bentinck became the first G-G of India under the Charter Act 1833.
• (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false.
• (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is true.

Key point

Governor of Bengal = Clive; G-G of Bengal = Warren Hastings (1773); G-G of India = Bentinck (1833); first Viceroy = Canning (1858).

Remember

Clive = Governor; Hastings = first G-G of Bengal; Bentinck = first G-G of India.

Common mistakes

• Mixing Governor and Governor-General. Clive never held the G-G title.
• Thinking Warren Hastings was the first G-G of India — he was G-G of Bengal.
• Forgetting that Canning was both the last G-G appointed by the Company and the first Viceroy.

Exam tip

One Act, one title: Regulating Act 1773 → Hastings; Charter Act 1833 → Bentinck; GoI Act 1858 → Canning.

Sources

• NCERT Class XI — Indian Constitution at Work (historical background)
• M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, Ch 1 (Historical Background)
• Regulating Act 1773; Charter Act 1833

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