Dictionary of Indian Biography/Bentinck, Lord William Cavendish
BENTINCK, LORD WILLIAM CAVENDISH (1774–1839)
Governor-General: son of the 3rd Duke of Portland, born Sep. 14, 1774: entered the Army 1791, saw service in the Netherlands, in Italy, with the Austrian forces: Governor of Madras, from Aug., 1803, to Sep., 1807, when on account of the mutiny of sepoys against their officers at Vellore, for which he was held responsible, the Court of Directors recalled him: changes affecting the sepoys had been introduced by the C. in C., with the support of the Governor. He was employed in Portugal and commanded a Brigade at Corunna: as Lt-General he was C. in C. in Sicily, 1811, served in Spain, and led an expedition against Genoa, 1814. After 13 years without employment, he was Governor of Bengal from July, 1828, was C. in C. from May, 1833, and the first Governor-General of India from Nov., 1834, to March, 1835: it devolved on him to insist on economies to restore financial equilibrium, to reform the land revenue settlement in the N.W.P., to establish a Board of Revenue in the N.W.P. and reorganize the judicial courts, to devote funds to education through the medium of English, and to increase the employment of educated natives in higher offices. He also by Regulation abolished the practice of suttee, and suppressed the Thags. He took over the administration of Mysore. He met Ranjit Singh, ruler of the Panjab, on the Satlaj. In general he reformed the administration in a liberal spirit, and established the principle that, in the Government of India,the interests of the people should have the first claim. His memory is still cherished by the natives. The eloquent inscription on his statue in Calcutta was written by Macaulay (q.v.) (Legal Member of Council from Nov., 1834.) Bentinckwas greatly regretted on his retirement. He became M.P. for Glasgow in 1837: refused a peerage, and died June 17, 1839.