The correct answer to the question is option-2, Lord Hastings. The Pindaris were a group of bandits and mercenaries who operated in Central India during the 18th and early 19th centuries. They were known for their large-scale looting and plundering activities which caused havoc in the region.
During the tenure of Lord Hastings as the Governor-General of India from 1813 to 1823, the British took decisive action against the Pindaris. Lord Hastings initiated a campaign to bring an end to the Pindari menace and restore peace and order in Central India.
He launched military expeditions against the Pindaris and their allies, undertaking a series of punitive actions to suppress their activities. The Pindaris were systematically hunted down and many of their leaders were captured or killed. The campaign ultimately resulted in the complete elimination of the Pindari threat.
It is important to note that while the other options such as Lord William Bentinck, Lord Cornwallis, and Lord Wellesley were all significant figures in the history of British colonial rule in India, they did not specifically address the issue of the Pindaris or undertake actions to liquidate them. Thus, the correct answer to the question is Lord Hastings.