Lord William Bentinck
Lord William Bentinck | |
|---|---|
Lord William Bentinck, painting by Thomas Lawrence | |
| Governor-General of India | |
| In office 22 April 1834 – 20 March 1835 | |
| Monarch | William IV |
| Prime Minister | |
| Succeeded by | Sir Charles Metcalfe (As Acting Governor-General) |
| Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William | |
| In office 4 July 1828 – 22 April 1834 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | William Butterworth Bayley (Acting Governor-General) |
| Governor of Madras | |
| In office 30 August 1803 – 11 September 1807 | |
| Monarch | George III |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | The 2nd Baron Clive |
| Succeeded by | William Petrie (Acting Governor) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 September 1774 Buckinghamshire, England |
| Died | 17 June 1839 (aged 64) Paris, France |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse |
Lady Mary Acheson (m. 1803) |
| Parents | |
| Education | Westminster School |
| Awards | |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1791–1839 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Commands | |
| Battles/wars | Napoleonic Wars |
Lieutenant General Lord William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck GCB GCH PC (14 September 1774 – 17 June 1839), known as Lord William Bentinck, was a British military commander and politician who served as the governor of the Fort William (Bengal) presidency from 1828 to 1834 and the first governor-general of India from 1834 to 1835.
He has been credited for significant social and educational reforms in India, including abolishing sati, forbidding women to witness the cremations on the ghats of Varanasi, and suppressing female infanticide and human sacrifice.
Bentinck noted "the dreadful responsibility hanging over his head in this world and the next, if… he was to consent to the continuance of this practice (sati) one moment longer." After consultation with the army and officials, Bentinch passed the Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829. This was challenged by the Dharma Sabha which appealed in the Privy Council, however the ban on Sati was upheld.
He reduced lawlessness by eliminating thuggee – which had existed for over 450 years – with the aid of his chief captain, William Henry Sleeman. Along with Thomas Babington Macaulay he introduced English as the language of instruction in India.