India was ruled by the British for nearly two centuries, during which the governance was carried out under different titles—Governor-General of Bengal (1773-1833), Governor-General of India (1833-1858), and Viceroy of India (1858-1947). Several questions in MPSC exams are asked about their tenure and major works. Below is a chronological list of the important Governor-Generals and Viceroys, along with their key contributions.
Governor-Generals of Bengal (1773-1833)
1. Warren Hastings (1773-1785)
- First Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773.
- Introduced the system of ‘Dual Government’.
- Ended the Mughal rule in Bengal.
- Founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal (1784).
- Rohilla War (1774), First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-82), and Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84).
2. Lord Cornwallis (1786-1793)
- Introduced Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793).
- Started the civil services in India.
- Strengthened British administration and curbed corruption.
- Defeated Tipu Sultan in the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92).
3. Lord Wellesley (1798-1805)
- Introduced the Subsidiary Alliance System.
- Defeated Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799).
- Conquered Maratha territories during the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-05).
- Established Fort William College in 1800.
4. Lord Hastings (1813-1823)
- Ended the Pindari Wars.
- Defeated the Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-18).
- Introduced the Ryotwari system in Madras.
Governor-Generals of India (1833-1858)
5. Lord William Bentinck (1828-1835)
- Abolished Sati Pratha (1829).
- Suppressed Thuggee System.
- Introduced English education under Macaulay’s Minutes (1835).
- Laid the foundation for modern railways in India.
6. Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856)
- Introduced Doctrine of Lapse.
- Annexed Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur.
- Established Railways, Postal System, and Telegraph Services.
- Started modern education system through Woods Despatch (1854).
- Started first railway from Mumbai to Thane (1853).
Viceroys of India (1858-1947)
7. Lord Canning (1856-1862)
- First Viceroy of India (after 1857 Revolt).
- Introduced the Indian Councils Act, 1861.
- Established Universities at Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras (1857).
8. Lord Lytton (1876-1880)
- Introduced Vernacular Press Act, 1878 (to curb Indian press).
- Organized Delhi Durbar (1877) where Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India.
- Passed the Arms Act, 1878 (restricted Indians from possessing weapons).
9. Lord Ripon (1880-1884)
- Father of Local Self-Government in India.
- Passed the Ilbert Bill (1883) (allowed Indian judges to try British offenders).
- Repealed the Vernacular Press Act, 1882.
10. Lord Curzon (1899-1905)
- Partitioned Bengal in 1905 (led to the Swadeshi Movement).
- Established Archaeological Survey of India.
- Passed the Indian Universities Act (1904) to control education.
11. Lord Minto (1905-1910)
- Passed the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) (introduced separate electorates for Muslims).
12. Lord Hardinge (1910-1916)
- Shifted the capital from Calcutta to Delhi (1911).
- Annulled the Partition of Bengal (1911).
13. Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921)
- Passed the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms).
- Introduced Rowlatt Act, 1919 (led to Jallianwala Bagh Massacre).
14. Lord Reading (1921-1926)
- Chauri Chaura incident (1922).
- Gandhiji’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
15. Lord Irwin (1926-1931)
- Signed Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931.
- Held First Round Table Conference (1930).
16. Lord Willingdon (1931-1936)
- Passed Government of India Act, 1935.
- Introduced Provincial Autonomy.
17. Lord Linlithgow (1936-1943)
- Longest-serving Viceroy of India.
- Quit India Movement (1942).
- Second World War involvement.
18. Lord Wavell (1943-1947)
- Simla Conference (1945).
- Cabinet Mission Plan (1946).
19. Lord Mountbatten (1947-1948)
- Last Viceroy of India.
- India’s Independence Act, 1947.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide provides a clear understanding of the Governor-Generals and Viceroys of India, helping MPSC aspirants answer relevant questions. Focus on major acts, reforms, and events associated with each tenure for better retention and recall in exams.