Governors-General of India (1773–1858) – Complete Study Notes

Governors-General of India (1773–1858) – Complete Study Notes

By KYASC INSTITUTE

The post of Governor-General of India was created under the Regulating Act of 1773. Initially, the Governor-General controlled the administration of Bengal, but later became the head of British administration in India. After the Revolt of 1857, the post was replaced by the Viceroy of India in 1858.

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1. Warren Hastings (1773–1785)

• First Governor-General of Bengal
• Regulating Act of 1773 implemented
• Rohilla War
• First Anglo-Maratha War
• Supreme Court established at Calcutta (1774)
• Ended Dual System of Administration

2. Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793)

• Permanent Settlement of Bengal (1793)
• Cornwallis Code (Judicial Reforms)
• Strengthened Civil Services
• Third Anglo-Mysore War

3. Lord Wellesley (1798–1805)

• Introduced Subsidiary Alliance
• Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
• Established Fort William College
• Expanded British territories

4. Lord William Bentinck (1828–1835)

• First Governor-General of India (Charter Act 1833)
• Abolition of Sati (1829)
• Suppression of Thuggee
• English Education Act (1835)
• Medical College established at Calcutta

5. Lord Charles Metcalfe (1835–1836)

• Known as "Liberator of the Indian Press"
• Removed restrictions on the Press

6. Lord Auckland (1836–1842)

• First Anglo-Afghan War

7. Lord Ellenborough (1842–1844)

• Annexation of Sindh

8. Lord Hardinge I (1844–1848)

• First Anglo-Sikh War

9. Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856)

• Doctrine of Lapse introduced
• Annexation of Awadh
• Second Anglo-Sikh War
• First Railway Line (Bombay to Thane, 1853)
• Telegraph system introduced
• Established Public Works Department
• Widow Remarriage Act (1856)
• Started Competitive Examination for Civil Services

10. Lord Canning (1856–1858)

• Revolt of 1857 took place
• Universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras established (1857)
• Last Governor-General of India
• First Viceroy of India (1858)

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Important Facts for Competitive Exams

• First Governor-General of Bengal – Warren Hastings
• First Governor-General of India – Lord William Bentinck
• Last Governor-General of India – Lord Canning
• First Viceroy of India – Lord Canning
• Doctrine of Lapse – Lord Dalhousie
• Permanent Settlement – Lord Cornwallis
• Subsidiary Alliance – Lord Wellesley

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Conclusion

The Governors-General of India played a major role in expanding British rule and introducing administrative, judicial, and educational reforms. Their policies significantly shaped India's political structure before direct Crown rule began in 1858.