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58 the very malpractices which he had been directed to search out and punish.

By force of character, tact, courtesy, and a patience almost sublime, Hastings managed for two years to keep his Council fairly up to the mark of his own aims. For some weeks before he took his seat as President he had been hard at work, as he wrote to Du Pré, in 'reading, learning, but not inwardly digesting.' It was now his turn to act; but 'I have hopes' — he adds — 'of able support and willing. I wish for no more.'

Within a fortnight, the new Governor had taken the first steps towards effecting a great revolution in the affairs of Bengal. Up to this time the internal government of the two provinces, Bengal and Behár — for Orissa was still held by the Maráthás — had remained for each in the hands of a Náíb Díwán, or deputy-governor, who looked after all matters concerning the revenue, the police, the courts of justice, and the management of the Nawáb's household. Under the nominal control of the Company he had become, in Hastings' words, 'the Názim (or ruler) of the province, and in real authority more than the Názim.' Within Bengal itself these large powers had been entrusted by Clive to Muhammad Raza Khán, a Musalmán noble of approved loyalty and high repute. The outlying province of Behár was ruled in like manner by Rájá Shitáb Rái, the brave Hindu chief who had fought under the walls of Patná in the front rank of Knox's heroes.