The correct option is (c).
Explanation
As the British East India Company transformed from a trading entity into a territorial power, it organized its acquired territories into distinct administrative units known as Presidencies. These units evolved around the Company's major commercial settlements.Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: British territories in India were broadly divided into administrative units called Presidencies. These divisions originated from the early factories (trading posts) established by the Company.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: There were three Presidencies: Bengal, Madras, and Bombay. Delhi was not a Presidency; it became the capital of British India only in 1911 (shifting from Calcutta). Prior to that, the administrative centers were anchored in the coastal regions of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Each Presidency was ruled by a Governor. Initially, these Governors were independent of each other and reported directly to the Court of Directors in London. With the Regulating Act of 1773, the Governor of Bengal was elevated to the position of Governor-General, gaining supervisory authority over the Governors of Bombay and Madras.
Key Takeaway:
The British administrative structure was fundamentally divided into three Presidencies-Bengal, Madras, and Bombay-each administered by a Governor.