Among the several charges that were brought against the first Governor-General of Bengal Presidency, Warren Hastings, during his impeachment in Britain, one was that on May 21, 1781, he had conspired with the Nawab of Chunar in a treaty that claimed to reinstate the jagirs of the Nawab’s family members but in fact impoverished them.

In addition, Hastings was charged with accepting £100,000 from the Nawab illegally and sent Nathaniel Middleton, a British East India Company official, to Fyzabad, where the Nawab’s family members lived, to occupy the town and extort their wealth. Middleton later turned a principal witness at Hastings’s trial. Another major charge against Hastings was related to the trial of Maharaja Nandakumar of Bengal. Nandakumar was hanged.

Hastings’ impeachment was conducted between 1787 and 1795 in the Parliament of Great Britain. On most charges, Hastings was found not guilty unanimously.

For suggestions on dates/events mail us at: yesterdate@abp.in