Which of these were made into Presidencies by the British

The British East India Company established three major presidencies in India: Bengal, Madras, and Bombay. These presidencies were administrative divisions under the control of the Company, each governed by a Governor. The Bengal Presidency was the largest and most significant of these, encompassing a vast area including present-day West Bengal, parts of Bihar, and other regions.

The Bengal Presidency was established in 1765 after the Battle of Buxar, where the British East India Company defeated the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Oudh, and the Mughal Emperor. This victory allowed the Company to gain control over the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, which included the right to collect revenue and administer justice. The Bengal Presidency was thus a crucial administrative division that played a significant role in the expansion and consolidation of British power in India.

The other presidencies, Madras and Bombay, were also established as key administrative centers. However, the Bengal Presidency was the most important due to its size, economic significance, and strategic location. It was the seat of the Governor-General of India, who was the highest-ranking official in British India until the establishment of the Viceroy in 1858.

It is important to note that the administrative divisions of the British East India Company were different from the modern states of India. For example, Punjab was not one of the original presidencies but was part of the larger administrative divisions that were later formed after the dissolution of the presidencies. Similarly, Mysore was a princely state under the British Raj, ruled by a local ruler under the suzerainty of the British, and not a presidency.

In summary, the Bengal Presidency was a key administrative division under British rule, encompassing a vast area and playing a significant role in the history of British India. This makes option C the correct answer.