The post of Governor-General of India was established by Britishers in India. Firstly, it was only for the Bengal regions, and the first Governor-General of Bengal was Warren Hastings, with a tenure of office from 1772-1785. Then there is a list of governors-general of India, and later this post was called the Viceroy of India.
Governors-General of India
Governor-General of Bengal & Governor-General of India List
| Ruling Period | Governor-General | Major Reforms & Events |
| 1772-1785 | Warren Hastings | He was Bengal’s first Governor-General. The dual administration system was abolished. Achievements include the 1773 Regulating Act, the founding of the Supreme Court in Calcutta, and the Asiatic Society of Bengal. He was a participant in the first Anglo-Maratha War and signed the Treaty of Salbai. During his reign, the first English translation of the Bhagavad Gita was completed. |
| 1786-1793 | Lord Cornwallis | He founded appellate courts, lower-level courts, and a Sanskrit college. The Third Anglo-Mysore War was fought, and the Treaty of Seringapatam was signed. Permanent Settlement and civil services are being implemented. |
| 1793-1798 | Sir John Shore | Charter act of 1793 was passed as he came in. Policy of Non-intervention and Battle of Kharda are his achievements. |
| 1798-1805 | Lord Wellesley | Subsidiary Alliance System was introduced. Fought wars such as the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and the Treaty of Bassein, as well as the Second Anglo-Maratha War. In Calcutta, he founded the Madras presidency as well as Fort William College. |
| 1805-1807 | Sir George Barlow | Until Lord Minto arrived, he served as interim Governor-General of India. The reason for the shrinking amount of British territory is his love of economy and retrenchment. During his reign, the Mutiny of Vellore occurred in 1806. |
| 1807-1813 | Lord Minto I | In 1809, the Treaty of Amritsar was signed with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Charter Act of 1813 was introduced. |
| 1813-1823 | Lord Hastings | Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16) and the Treaty of Sagauli, 1816 Abolition of Peshwaship Establishment of the Ryotwari System in Madras and Bombay Mahalwari System in the north-western Provinces and Bombay |
| 1823-1828 | Lord Amherst | Assam was annexed, resulting in the first Burmese war in 1824. |
| 1828-1835 | Lord William Bentinck | According to the rules outlined in the 1833 Charter Act, the first Governor-General of India was appointed. The Sati system was abolished, as was the Thugee system, as well as infanticide and child sacrifices. The English Education Act of 1835 was suggested, and the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital was formed. |
| 1835-1836 | Lord Charles Metcalfe | Liberator of the Indian Press because he freely lifted restrictions on an open press in India. |
| 1836-1842 | Lord Auckland | Domestic school improvement. India’s commercial business was expanding. The first Anglo-Afghan conflict. |
| 1842-1844 | Lord Ellenborough | Sindh was annexed. |
| 1844-1848 | Lord Hardinge I | First Anglo Sikh War. |
| 1848-1856 | Lord Dalhousie | Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49) Introduction of the Doctrine of Lapse Wood’s Dispatch 1854 First railway line connecting Bombay and Thane in 1853 Establishment of PWD Indian Post Office Act |
| 1856-1857 | Lord Canning | The Calcutta, Madras and Bombay Universities were established. Revolt of 1857 |
Who introduced the doctrine of lapse?
Lord Dalhousie
The first railway line was connected between
Bombay and Thane in 1853.
Who was the governor-general during the revolt of 1857?
Lord Canning
Who was the first governor-general of Bengal?
Warren Hastings
Who was the first governor-general of India?
Lord William Bentinck