Following the uprising in 1857, company rule was ended, and India came under the direct administration of the British throne.
The Government of India Act of 1858, which replaced Governor General of India's title with Viceroy (1858–1947), modified the title of the position. The British government appointed the Viceroy immediately and Lord Canning served as India's first viceroy. The viceroys had a distinct and often decisive impact on the Policies of the British Goverenment. As the face of the British Government, the Viceroy acted as the link between the British Queen and India. The Act Of Good Governance Of 1858 designated Goverenor- General of India as Viceroys. The act enhanced the prestige if not the power of the Governor-General as Viceroy. In this space, we have covered the List Of Viceroys of India beginning with Lord Canning, the List Of Viceroys is essential for all sorts of examinations. The viceroys and the policies are important for all the examinations. If you are preparing for competitive exams and are looking for expert guidance, you can check out our monthly FREE Current Affairs Ebook- Download Now.
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The viceroy title was dropped after India and Pakistan gained their independence in 1947, and although governors still served as King George VI's ambassadors, India and Pakistan were led by their own native governor-general.
As governor-general, Louis Mountbatten, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, oversaw the handover of British India to its new independent government.
After independence, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878–1972) was the only and last Indian governor-general.
List Of Viceroys
Viceroy | Tenure | Events |
Lord Canning | 1858-1862 |
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Lord Elgin | 1862 – 1863 |
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Lord Lawrence | 1864 – 1869 |
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Lord Mayo | 1869 – 1872 |
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Lord Northbrook | 1872 – 1876 |
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Lord Lytton | 1876 – 1880 |
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Lord Ripon | 1880 – 1884 |
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Lord Dufferin | 1884 – 1888 |
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Lord Lansdowne | 1888 – 1894 |
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Lord Elgin II | 1894 – 1899 |
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Lord Curzon | 1899 – 1905 |
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Lord Minto II | 1905 – 1910 |
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Lord Hardinge II | 1910 – 1916 |
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Lord Chelmsford | 1916 – 1921 |
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Lord Reading | 1921 – 1926 |
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Lord Irwin | 1926 – 1931 |
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Lord Willingdon | 1931 – 1936 |
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Lord Linlithgow | 1936 – 1944 |
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Lord Wavell | 1944 – 1947 |
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Lord Mountbatten | 1947-48 |
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The office of Governor-General of Presidency of Fort William or Governor-General of Bengal, to be selected by the Court of Directors of the East India Company, was established by the Regulating Act of 1773. (EIC). During the period of 1773–1784, the Court of Directors appointed a Council of Four (located in India) to advise the Governor–General, and the council's judgement was final.
The position was given the new title of Governor-General of India by the Saint Helena Act of 1833 (also known as the Government of India Act of 1833) First appointed as Governor-General of India in 1833, Lord William Bentinck.
The Crown's representative governor-general was referred to as the viceroy after the Government of India Act of 1858 was passed. Although it was most frequently used in everyday speech, the title "Viceroy" had no legal standing and was never adopted by Parliament.