Describe Burke’s Critique of Hastings in his “Speech on the East India Bill.”

Answer

How does Burke criticize Hastings and his Lieutenants in his “Speech on the East India Bill?” Or, How does Burke criticise Warren Hastings and his associates in his “Speech on the East India Bill?” [NU. 2020, 2018, 2015]

Warren Hastings (1732-1818) was the first Governor-General of India. He ruled from 1772 to 1785. He had great power, but he used it badly. In his “Speech on the East India Bill” (1783), Edmund Burke (1729-1797) strongly attacks Hastings. Burke says Hastings broke the laws, robbed people, and ruined India. He calls Hastings the main reason behind all evil acts in India. Burke gives many facts and real examples. He wants the British government to remove Hastings and stop the cruelty done by him and his men.

Symbol of Cruel Power: Burke calls Hastings a cruel ruler. He says Hastings ruled India with no care for law or justice. He had too much power and used it wrongly. Burke gives the example of the Rajah of Benares. He says,

“The unhappy prince was expelled, and his more unhappy country was enslaved and ruined; but not a rupee was acquired.”

This means Hastings punished a ruler and ruined his land, even though he got no money from it. Hastings ruled with fear and destroyed peace.

Heartless and Greedy: Hastings had no mercy. He only wanted money. Burke says Hastings sold out Shah Alam and the Afghan Rohillas. Their leader, Hafiz Rhamet Khan, was killed. His wife and children begged for food. Their land became dry and empty. Hastings also attacked the Begums of Oude. He took their gold and land with lies and tricks. He did not care about women or the old. Burke shows him as a man full of greed and hate, not a kind ruler.

Breaking Promises: Burke says Hastings broke many treaties. He took money from Indian rulers but gave nothing back. He broke the Company’s promise to the Mogul, the Nawabs, the Nizam, and Hyder Ali. The Company also broke its deal with Najaf