11. Corruption and Scandal at the Highest Levels
The East India Company was rife with corruption, with officials engaging in embezzlement, nepotism, and other abuses of power. Warren Hastings, the Company’s Governor-General from 1773 to 1785, faced impeachment upon his return to England in 1787. He was charged with high crimes and misdemeanors, including embezzlement, extortion, and coercion. The trial, which began in 1788 and lasted seven years, ended in his acquittal in 1795. This case highlights the unchecked authority and systemic corruption within the Company, reflecting the broader issues of governance and accountability during that era. (parliament.uk).
