List of Viceroy of India from 1856 to 1947 in Chronological Order

List of Viceroy of India from 1856 to 1947, History, Tenure & Events

List of Viceroy of India: Viceroy of India were the representative of states during British rule. Here's the complete Viceroy of India List (1856-1947) for UPSC, PDF.

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Viceroy of India

List of Viceroy of India: The governor-general of India, formerly known as the viceroy of India, served as the monarch of the United Kingdom’s representative, and upon Indian Independence in 1947, the viceroy took on the role of the head of state of India. A Viceroy refers to a delegate of a King or queen who governs another nation on behalf of that monarch. Following the uprising in 1857, the British took over the Viceroy’s position and authority. Governor Generals ruled India prior to the Viceroy. Lord Canning, the first viceroy of India, controlled the country from 1856 to 1862.

National Symbols of India

List of Viceroy of India from 1856 to 1947

Here’s the complete List of Viceroy of India from 1856 to 1947:

Viceroy	Tenure	Achievements
Lord Canning	1858-1862	Eliminated the doctrine of lapse
Lord Elgin	1862 – 1863	The Wahabi Movement
Lord Lawrence	1864 – 1869	During his rule, the High Court was established at Madras and Calcutta. The Anglo-Bhutanese War also occurred.
Lord Mayo	1869 – 1872	The first-ever introduction of financial distribution between the centre and the state 1872 saw the first census. Mayo College was established for the royal elite. The only Governor-General to die in India was Lord Mayo. He was murdered by Sher Ali Afridi murdered at Port Blair. Creation of the Indian Statistical Survey
Lord Northbrook	1872 – 1876	Introduction of Civil Marriage and Arya Samaj Marriage In 1872, the Universal Marriage Act was passed. Intercaste marriage is permitted. The Punjab Kuka Movement
Lord Lytton	1876 – 1880	Vernacular Press Act and Arms Act both passed in 1878. Nationalist perspective: Because of the high tax rate, purchasing power has decreased. According to the government, drought is a natural occurrence that made people destitute. Organized durbar despite a terrible famine. Queen Victoria was also known as “The Empress of India.” British traders were exempt from paying cotton taxes. The minimum age to sit for the civil service exam has been lowered to 19.
Lord Ripon	1880 – 1884	He was the most well-liked governor general The contentious Arms and Vernacular Press Act was repealed. Established Local self-governments, including Panchayats and Municipal Boards, earning him the title “Father of Self Government.” In 1884, Punjab University and 1887, Allahabad University, two new universities were founded. Illbert Bill: English judge cannot be tried by an Indian judge The Hunter Commission‘s appointment
Lord Dufferin	1884 – 1888	The Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885–1866) In 1885, the Indian National Congress was established.
Lord Lansdowne	1888 – 1894	The Indian Council Act of 1892 (Indirect election was introduced for the first time) 1891 Factory Act
Lord Elgin II	1894 – 1899	The first British officer called Rands died. The brothers Chapekar (Ramkrishna & Damodar) killed him. It was the initial political murder.
Lord Curzon	1899 – 1905	Partition of Bengal; Raleigh Commission; Indian Universities Act (to regulate Indian Universities); Curzon-Kitchener Controversy
Lord Minto II	1905 – 1910	Formation of Morley-Minto Reforms
Lord Hardinge II	1910 – 1916	Mesopotamian Campaign; Transfer of Capital from Calcutta to Delhi; Madan Mohan Malaviya’s founding of Hindu Mahasabha
Lord Chelmsford	1916 – 1921	Movements in the Home Rule League The Rowlatt Act was adopted. The Montague-Chelmsford Reform Act was approved.
Lord Reading	1921 – 1926	Swaraj Party was established. The Chauri Chaura Incident happened.
Lord Irwin	1926 – 1931	Beginning of the Dandi March and Civil Disobedience Movement The first round table discussion took place.
Lord Willingdon	1931 – 1936	The Poona Pact was signed; The Second and Third Round Table Conferences; The Communal Award Program
Lord Linlithgow	1936 – 1944	Beginning of Cripps Mission Began of Quit India Movement
Lord Wavell	1944 – 1947	Wavell Plan, Shimla Conference, Direct Action Day, CR Formula 1944,
Lord Mountbatten	1947-48	The June 3rd Plan, The First Governor-General of a free India, and the Last Viceroy

Viceroy of India History

A royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I allowed the British to enter India as traders. The British began their authority in India through trading, and they quickly acquired control of the country’s trading activities. The fortification of William was under the supervision of a governor-general in Kolkata. The East Indian Company lost control of the area following the uprising of 1857, and the Crown took it. The Viceroy of India replaced the term “Governor General” in the title. Lord Canning served as the country’s first viceroy, while Lord Mountbatten served as the country’s final viceroy. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was the only Indian after independence to hold the position of Viceroy of India.

Viceroy of India UPSC

The British government directly appointed the Viceroy.
Lord Canning served as India’s first viceroy.
Following the Revolt of 1857, the Indian government established the post in 1858. The role of Governor-General of India was superseded by the Viceroy of India, who represented the British crown. Lord Mountbatten was the last viceroy of India
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari served as India’s Last governor general from 1948 to 1950.

FAQs

Who was the largest Viceroy of India?

The longest-serving Viceroy and Governor-General in India was Lord Linlithgow.

What was the role of viceroy in India?

After 1858, the governor-general, now more commonly referred to as the viceroy, served as both India's chief administrator and a representative of the sovereign. India had multiple provinces, each with a governor, lieutenant governor, chief commissioner, or administrator as their leader.

Who was the most loved Viceroy of India?

Between 1880 and 1884, Lord Ripon served as a viceroy in India under British authority. He is regarded as the most liberal viceroy and is referred to as the "Good Viceroy of India." He started a number of reform initiatives as soon as he assumed office on June 8, 1880.

Who appointed the Viceroy of India?

The Court of Directors of the East India Company was replaced with the title of viceroy, and individuals were chosen by the king based on advice from the British government.