Harry Verelst

Harry Verelst was one of the most renowned Governors of Bengal Presidency from the year 1767 to 1769, in undivided India under the rule of the British East India Company. He also acted as a colonial administrator. He was born on 11 February 1734 and came to Bengal in the year 1749 in the service of the British East India Company. Before the occurrence of the Battle of Plassey, Harry Verelst was captured and taken prisoner by Nawab Siraj Ud-Daulah, the ruler of Bengal. Nawab Siraj Ud-Daulah was defeated by the forces of Robert Clive at Plassey in June 1757. This marked the rule of the British administration in Bengal.

Harry Verelst was liberated from imprisonment after the culmination of battle of Plassey. Later he served as a factor in Lakshmipur and was soon promoted to various designations of responsibility. He was appointed as a member of the Fort William Council in 1758. Verelst went to the southern port of Chittagong in order to seize control over the region, which was ceded by Mir Qasim, the local ruler in 1960. Harry Verelst took charge of the administration of Chittagong for the next 5 years. During his tenure as the administrator, he increased tax revenues and as a result, Verelst was posted to Midnapur and Burdwan later.

After Robert Clive quit the governorship of Bengal Presidency in 1767, Harry Verelst was chosen by the Court of Directors of the British East India Company, to succeed Clive in Fort William on 17 May 1767. Verelst Served in office as the Governor of Bengal Presidency for more than 2 years. He resigned from the position in December 1769.

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