सप्टेंबर 1816 मध्ये पेंढारींना दडपून टाकण्यासाठी कोर्ट ऑफ डायरेक्टर्सची मंजूरी कोणी घेतली ?

The correct answer is Option B (Lord Hastings).

Key Points:
• Lord Hastings (Marquess of Hastings) & Suppression of Pindharis:
• ⏳ Tenure: Lord Hastings served as Governor-General of Bengal from 1813 to 1823.
• The Pindhari Menace: Pindharis were irregular horsemen/mercenaries operating across Central India who plundered territories including British-administered districts of Northern Circars and Mirzapur.
• Sanction: In September 1816, Lord Hastings successfully obtained approval from the East India Company's Court of Directors to wage a total campaign against the Pindharis.
• Pindhari Campaign (1817–1818): Hastings mobilized a massive army of over 1,20,000 soldiers (Northern & Southern Armies), annihilating Pindhari leaders like Cheetu, Karim Khan, and Wasil Muhammad, which directly merged into the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818).
• Key Takeaway: Lord Hastings received sanction from the Court of Directors in September 1816 to launch military operations suppressing the Pindharis.