Who was the first Governor General of Bengal under the British East India Company?

Introduction / Context:
The position of Governor General of Bengal marked a key stage in the development of British political control in India. The first holder of this office played an important role in setting administrative patterns and policies for British rule. Exam questions often ask for the name of the first Governor General of Bengal to test knowledge of the institutional beginnings of the British Raj.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the first Governor General of Bengal.
• It is in the context of British East India Company administration.
• Options include Lord William Bentinck, Sir William Denison, The Lord Napier, and Warren Hastings.
• We assume the question is about the formal title created in the late eighteenth century.

Concept / Approach:
The Regulating Act of 1773 created the office of Governor General of Bengal to supervise Company territories more effectively. Warren Hastings became the first to hold this title. Later, other figures like Lord William Bentinck also served as Governor General, but they came after Hastings. Denison and Napier are linked to different offices or later periods. Therefore, the historically correct answer is Warren Hastings.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Regulating Act of 1773 introduced the post of Governor General of Bengal. Step 2: Remember that Warren Hastings was appointed as the first Governor General under this arrangement. Step 3: Note that Lord William Bentinck is associated with later reforms in the early nineteenth century. Step 4: Recognise that Sir William Denison and The Lord Napier are not known as the first Governor General of Bengal in standard history texts. Step 5: Select Warren Hastings as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian history textbooks clearly state that Warren Hastings served as the first Governor General of Bengal from 1773 to 1785. He is often discussed in sections dealing with the early Company administration, the Regulating Act, and the impeachment proceedings against him in Britain. This repeated emphasis confirms his position as the first in this office.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lord William Bentinck: A later Governor General known for social reforms like the abolition of sati, but not the first to hold the office.
Sir William Denison: Not associated in mainstream Indian history with this foundational post.
The Lord Napier: Known for other positions, not for being the first Governor General of Bengal.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Warren Hastings with later reformist figures like Bentinck because both are important in early British rule. The key distinction is that Hastings is linked to the initial creation of the Governor Generalship through the Regulating Act, while Bentinck is associated with later reform measures. Remembering this sequence helps keep the facts clear.

Final Answer:
Warren Hastings was the first Governor General of Bengal under the British East India Company.