List of Governor-General of India, Names, Tenure, Achivements

The Governor-General of India was the head of British administration in India during the colonial period. Check List of Governor General of India, Names, Tenure, Achivements

Table of Contents

The Governor-General of India was the head of British administration in India during the colonial period. This position evolved over time, reflecting changes in British control and governance structures in India. Initially, the British territories were divided into presidencies—Bengal, Madras, and Bombay—each governed by a Governor. The head of the British administration was known as the Governor-General.

Historical Background

Pre-1857 Period (East India Company Rule)

1773 – Regulating Act of 1773
- Created the position of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal).
- Governor-General of Bengal was made the superior authority over the Governors of Madras and Bombay.
- Warren Hastings was appointed the first Governor-General of Bengal.
1833 – Charter Act of 1833
- The position of Governor-General of Bengal was changed to Governor-General of India.
- Granted legislative powers over all British-controlled territories in India.
- Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India.

Post-1857 Period (Direct British Crown Rule)

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 ended the East India Company’s control.
Government of India Act 1858:
- Transferred authority to the British Crown.
- Governor-General of India became the Viceroy of India—representing the British monarch.
- Lord Canning became the first Viceroy and Governor-General of British India.
- The Governor-General served as the Crown’s representative in India, overseeing British administration and policies.

Post-Independence Period

After India gained independence on August 15, 1947, the Governor-General continued as the head of state until India became a republic in 1950.
C. Rajagopalachari became the last Governor-General of India from 1948 to 1950.
The position was abolished when Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India on January 26, 1950.

List of Governor-Generals of India

Year	Governor-General	Major Reforms/Events
1773–1785	Warren Hastings	First Governor-General of Bengal, judicial and administrative reforms
1786–1793	Lord Cornwallis	Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793), Introduced civil services
1798–1805	Lord Wellesley	Subsidiary Alliance System, Expansion of British territory
1828–1835	Lord William Bentinck	Ended Sati, English Education Act (1835), First Governor-General of India
1835–1836	Lord Charles Metcalfe	Liberator of the Indian Press
1836–1842	Lord Auckland	Economic and educational reforms
1842–1844	Lord Ellenborough	Annexation of Sindh
1844–1848	Lord Hardinge I	First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–46)
1848–1856	Lord Dalhousie	Doctrine of Lapse, First railway (1853), Postal reforms, Widow Remarriage Act (1856)
1856–1857	Lord Canning	Revolt of 1857, First Viceroy of India
1858–1862	Lord Canning	Became Viceroy of India after 1858

Major Governor-Generals and Their Reforms

Warren Hastings (1773–1785)

First Governor-General of Bengal.
Established the Supreme Court of Calcutta (1774).
Codified personal Hindu and Muslim laws.
Introduced civil administration reforms.

Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793)

Introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793).
Introduced the principle of judicial and administrative separation.
Laid the foundation for the Indian Civil Service.

Lord Wellesley (1798–1805)

Introduced the Subsidiary Alliance System to expand British control.
Annexed several Indian territories, including Mysore.
Established the Fort William College in Calcutta.

Lord William Bentinck (1828–1835)

First Governor-General of India (under Charter Act of 1833).
Abolished Sati (1829).
Introduced English as the medium of instruction (1835).
Founded the Kolkata Medical College.

Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856)

Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse.
Opened the first railway line (Bombay to Thane) in 1853.
Established the Indian Postal System (1854).
Started the Public Works Department.

Lord Canning (1856–1862)

Revolt of 1857.
Became the first Viceroy of India under the Crown.
Established Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras Universities (1857).

First Governor-General of India

William Bentinck (1828–1835) – First Governor-General of India after the Charter Act of 1833.
He is known for:

Abolition of Sati (1829).
Introduction of English education.
Judicial and administrative reforms.

Last Governor-General of India

C. Rajagopalachari (1948–1950) – First and last Indian Governor-General of independent India.
He is known for:

Served as the last head of state before India became a republic.
Promoted liberal economic policies.
Founded the Swatantra Party (1959).

Difference Between Governor-General and Viceroy

Governor-General	Viceroy
Head of the British East India Company’s administration in India	Crown’s representative after 1858
Authority based on the Charter Act of 1833	Authority based on the Government of India Act 1858
Position abolished after 1858	Continued until India became a republic in 1950

Key Facts for UPSC

Warren Hastings – First Governor-General of Bengal
William Bentinck – First Governor-General of India
Lord Canning – First Viceroy of India
C. Rajagopalachari – Last Governor-General of India
Sarojini Naidu – First female Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces)

Conclusion

The position of Governor-General of India evolved with changing political and administrative structures in British India. From Warren Hastings to C. Rajagopalachari, the role shaped the course of Indian history, colonial governance, and administrative reforms. The legacy of the Governor-General’s office remains integral to understanding British colonialism in India.