The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Warren Hastings served as the first Governor-General of Bengal (1773–1785). Upon his return to England, he faced impeachment proceedings initiated by the British Parliament regarding his administrative conduct and alleged excesses committed during his tenure in India.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Warren Hastings was impeached for his alleged misconduct and misgovernment primarily in Bengal, not Madras. The specific charges included his involvement in the Rohilla War, the execution of Nand Kumar, the harsh treatment of the Begums of Oudh (Avadh), and the affair regarding Raja Chait Singh of Benaras.
Statement 2 is Correct: The impeachment proceedings were initiated in the House of Commons and were led by the prominent Whig politician and philosopher Edmund Burke. Burke delivered famous speeches highlighting the moral obligations of the British Empire, accusing Hastings of being the "captain-general of iniquity."
Statement 3 is Correct: The trial began in 1788 and continued for seven years. Despite the intense prosecution, Warren Hastings was eventually acquitted of all charges in 1795. The long legal battle, however, resulted in significant financial loss for him, although the East India Company later granted him a pension.
Key Takeaway: Warren Hastings was impeached by the British Parliament, led by Edmund Burke, for his controversial actions in Bengal (e.g., Rohilla War, Begums of Oudh), but was fully acquitted after a seven-year trial.