Overview
Lord William Bentinck
(1774—1839) army officer, diplomatist, and governor-general of India
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(1774–1839).
Soldier and administrator. In 1803 he became governor of Madras but was recalled after being held responsible for the sepoy mutiny at Velore in July 1806. He subsequently saw action in the Mediterranean, commanding the British forces in Sicily (1811) and conducting a successful expedition against Genoa (1814). From 1827 to 1835 Bentinck acted as governor‐general of Bengal. He instituted reforms to eradicate debts, reorganized the legal system, abolishing such practices as suttee (widow‐burning), improved communications, introduced education programmes, and opened up official posts to natives. In 1833 he became the first governor‐general of India.
Subjects: History
