Lord William Bentinck served as the first Governor-General of India from 1833 to 1835. During his tenure, he implemented significant reforms that have left a lasting impact on India’s social and administrative landscape.
One of Bentinck’s most notable actions was the abolition of ‘sati’ (also spelled ‘suttee’), the practice where widows self-immolated on their husband’s funeral pyre. In December 1829, he enacted a regulation that made the practice illegal, marking a significant step toward social reform in colonial India.
Bentinck also focused on education, promoting English as the medium of instruction in schools and colleges. This policy laid the foundation for the modern education system in India.
His administration worked to streamline the governance of British India, introducing measures to improve the efficiency of the East India Company and its operations.
