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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Warren Hastings
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(1732–1818) The first governor general of India (1772–85), largely responsible for transforming the *East India Company from an organization of armed traders to a full-scale civil administration. Members of his council in Calcutta waged a personal feud against him for many years, and on his return to England they contrived to have him impeached. Though guilty of high-handedness (most famously in his recovery of money and land from the 'begums of Oudh', the mother and grandmother of the ruling nawab), he was rare among the British in India at that time in not being corrupt. His impeachment was heard before the House of Lords on 145 days spread over seven years (1788–95). He was acquitted on all charges.
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