Which of the following pairs (Governor-General -- Policy followed) is correctly matched?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Lord Wellesley -- Pursued imperilaist conquests.
Lord Wellesley (1798–1805) is famously known for his aggressive imperialist policies aimed at establishing British paramountcy in India. His most significant tool was the Subsidiary Alliance system, which effectively brought several Indian princely states under British control by placing a British resident and army in their territory. Through this system and direct military conflicts like the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and the Second Anglo-Maratha War, Wellesley dismantled the power of Tipu Sultan and the Marathas, drastically expanding the East India Company's territorial and political footprint across the subcontinent.
Analysis of Other Options:
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Lord Hastings — Anti-expansionist policy: Incorrect; Lord Hastings (Marquess of Hastings) actually pursued an expansionist policy, notably winning the Anglo-Nepalese War and crushing the Pindaris.
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Marquis of Hastings — Followed fiscal conservatism: Incorrect; while he reformed administration, his tenure was marked by expensive military campaigns rather than strict financial conservatism.
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Henry Dundas — Opposed Charter renewal: Incorrect; Dundas was a key British politician who strongly supported the East India Company and the renewal of its Charter to maintain British influence.