At a time when empires in Europe were crumbling before the might of Napoleon, which one of the following Governors General kept the British flag flying high in India?

The correct option is Lord Wellesley.

Explanation

The period of Napoleon Bonaparte’s dominance in Europe coincided with the tenure of Lord Wellesley as Governor-General of India.

• Lord Wellesley: Correct – He served as Governor-General from 1798 to 1805 and strengthened British power in India through expansionist policies such as the Subsidiary Alliance system and military victories over Indian states, including Mysore and the Marathas.
• Warren Hastings: Incorrect – His tenure (1773–1785) preceded the Napoleonic era and was focused on administrative consolidation rather than large-scale expansion.
• Lord Cornwallis: Incorrect – He served before the peak of Napoleon’s power and is mainly associated with administrative and revenue reforms.
• Lord Hastings: Incorrect – His tenure (1813–1823) came after Napoleon’s defeat in 1815 and does not align with the period described.

Key Takeaway: Lord Wellesley’s tenure overlapped with the Napoleonic era and marked a phase of aggressive British expansion in India.