in 1765 the system of 'dual government' meant the nawabs ruled on behalf of the british, and were puppets to the british. in 1772 the system was abolished and bengal was brought under direct control of the british. in 1793, when the "nizamat" (governorship) of the nawab was also taken away from them, they remained as the pensioners of the british east india company. the last nawab of bengal, mansur ali khan abdicated on 1 november 1880 in favour of his eldest son, hassan ali mirza.