Explanation: Warren Hastings took charge as the governor-general at a critical period of British rule when the British were to encounter the powerful combination of the Marathas, Mysore and Hyderabad.

• He followed a policy of ring-fence which aimed at creating buffer zones to defend the Company’s frontiers.
• Broadly speaking, it was the policy of defense of their neighbors’ frontiers for safeguarding their own territories.
• This policy of Warren Hastings was reflected in his war against the Marathas and Mysore.

Source: Spectrum Modern India