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While the British ruled India, the head of the British administration in India was the
Governor General and Viceroy of India.
The Regulating Act of 1773 created the office with the title of Governor-General of
the Presidency of Fort William, or Governor-General of Bengal to be appointed
by the Court of Directors of the East India Company (EIC).
The Court of Directors of EIC also created a Council of Four (based in India) to assist
The Governor General, and the decision of the council was binding on Governor
General during 1773-1784.
Complete authority over all of British India was granted in 1833 and the official
became known as the Governor-General of India. And in 1858, India came under the
direct control of the British Crown.
The Saint Helena Act 1833 (or Government of India Act 1833) re-designated the
office with the title of Governor-General of India.
To reflect the Governor General`s role as representative from the monarch to the
feudal rulers of the princely states, the term Viceroy of India was applied to him.
After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the company rule was brought to an end, and the
British India along with princely states came under the direct rule of the Crown.
The Government of India Act 1858 created the office of Secretary of State for
India in 1858 to oversee the affairs of India, which was advised by a new Council of
India with 15 members (based in London).
Following the adoption of the Government of India Act of 1858, the Governor-
General as representing the Crown became known as the Viceroy.
The title remained in existence from 1858 till 1947, when India became independent
in 1947. The office of Governor-General continued to exist until India adopted a
republican constitution in 1950.
Governors (17581774), Gov Gen of Bengal (17741833), Gov Gen of India (183358)
List of British Governor Generals and Viceroys During British
Period in India & The Most Important Events During Their
Reign:
Name
S.N Took Left
(birth Happenings
. office office
death)
Governors of Bengal, 17731833
1 Warren 20 1 Regulating Act of 1773
Hastings October February Supreme Court at Calcutta
(17321818) 1773 1785 Asiatic Society of Bengal
Dual government system to an end
Zamindars were given judicial powers
establishment of civil and criminal
courts in each district
He was the appointed as the Governor
General of Fort William, but he
exercised control over East India
Company officials all over India.
Pitt's India Act The East India
Company Act 1784 East India
Company's rule in India under the
control of the British Government
Appointment Unit of
No. Name Rank Photo Left Office Decorations
Date Commission
31
15 August KCB, CIE,
1 Rob Lockhart* General December 51st Sikhs
1947 MC
1947
15 January Cameronians KBE, CB,
2 Roy Bucher* General 1 January 1948
1949 (Scottish Rifles) MC
General
16 January 14 January
3 K M Cariappa (later Field Rajput Regiment OBE
1949 1953
Marshal)
2nd Lancers
Rajendrasinhji 14 January 1 April
4 General (Gardner's DSO[4]
Jadeja (1st COAS) 1953 1955
Horse)