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Home / IAS Preparation / Governers Generals Of Bengal And India

Governor General of India and Bengal - List, Difference Between Governor General And Viceroy

Last Updated on Jul 12, 2023
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When the British East India Company took control of India, it divided its territory into administrative units known as Presidencies. They established a post called Governor of Bengal for the Bengal region, similar to the other two presidencies of Bombay and Madras. However, Each presidency was governed by an independent Governor. Later, the Regulating Act of 1773 made the post of Governor of Bengal into Governor General of Bengal, which made the presidencies of Bombay and Madras subordinate to the Governor General of Bengal. Finally, in 1833 the Charter Act changed the post of Governor General of Bengal to Governor General of India.

This topic of “Governor General of India and Bengal” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims) and particularly in the History section. 

In this article, we shall discuss the difference between the Viceroys and governor General of India, the List of Governor General of India/Bengal, the List of Viceroys of India, their accomplishments, and the significant reforms that occurred during their tenure, and more!

About Governor Generals of India

The role of the Governor of Bengal predates the positions of Governor-General and Viceroy of India. When the East India Company first arrived in India, Bengal was administered by the Governor of Bengal. In the year 1764, Robert Clive assumed the position of the inaugural Governor of Bengal. Following the implementation of the Regulating Act of 1773, the Governor of Bengal, who had previously held similar roles in Madras and Bombay, was elevated to Governor-General of Bengal.

In 1773, Warren Hastings was appointed the first Governor-General of Bengal, making him the pioneer in this role. Subsequently, the title of Governor-General of Bengal was altered to Governor-General of India with the enactment of the Regulating Act of 1833. Through the Government of India Act of 1858, this position underwent another transformation, evolving into the Viceroy of India. 

Read the linked article for the UPSC Exam to learn more about the British East India Company Timeline!

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List of Governor General of Bengal

Here is the list of all the Governor Generals of Bengal for the UPSC Exam:

Year 

Governor General of Bengal

Significant Reforms

1772-1785

Warren Hastings
  • Put an end to the dual administration system in Bengal.
  • Introduction of the Regulating Act of 1773 by the British Parliament.
  • Establishment of the Supreme Court in Kolkata.
  • Sir William Jones established the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784.
  • First Anglo-Maratha War began and ended with the Treaty of Salbai.
  • The Second Anglo-Mysore War began and ended with the Treaty of Mangalore.
  • Bhagavad Gita's initial translation into English.
  • Introduction of the Pitt's India, 1784.

1786 - 1793.

Lord Cornwallis
  • Introduction of Cornwallis Code.
  • Introduction of the Charter Act of 1793.
  • Established appellate courts and lower grade courts between.
  • Creation of a Sanskrit college by Jonathan Duncan in Banaras.
  • Introduction of the Civil services and the Permanent Settlement. 
  • The Third Anglo-Mysore War began and ended with the Treaty of Seringapatam.

1793-1798

Sir John Shore
  • Battle of Kharda.
  • Introduction of the Charter Act of 1793; Non-Intervention Policy.

1798–1805

Lord Wellesley
  • Introduction of Censorship of Press Act in 1799.
  • The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War began and Mysore entered into a subsidiary alliance.
  • The Second Anglo-Maratha War began and ended with multiple treaties.
  • Fort William College was founded in Calcutta.

1805-1807

Sir George Barlow
  • Economist and the Interim Governor General of India
  •  Lord Minto reduced the size of the British dominion.
  • In 1806, the Mutiny of Vellore occurred.

1807-1813

Lord Minto I
  • Introduced the Charter Act of 1813 and signed the Treaty of Amritsar with Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1809.

1813-1823

Lord Hastings
  • The Mahalwari system was introduced in Bombay and the northwest provinces.
  • The Third Anglo-Maratha War began and ended with multiple treaties.
  • Removal of Peshwaship.
  • Thomas Munroe established the Ryotwari System in Madras and Bombay.

1823–1828

Lord Amherst,
  • The annexation of Assam
  • 1824 Mutiny at Barrackpore.
  • The First Anglo-Burmese War began and ended with the Treaty of a Yandabo.

Read the linked article for the UPSC Exam to learn more about the Ryotwari System and Mahalwari System!

List of Governor General of India

Here is the complete list of Governor General of India from 1833 to 1857 for the UPSC Exam;

Tenure

Governor General of India List

Achievements

1828-1835

Lord William Bentick
  • Lord William Bentinck is first governor general of british India.
  • The removal of Sati, the outlawing of female infanticide, and Thuggee.
  •  The banning of lawlessness, and the outlawing of human sacrifices are only a few of the significant social and educational reforms in India that are attributed to him.
  • The Charter Act of 1833 established the first law commission under Macaulay, which resulted; 
  • The decision to use English as the primary language of instruction in India was influenced by Lord William Bentinck.
  • The Macaulay Committee for Educational Reform, also known as the "Minute on Indian Education," was formed.

1835-1836

Lord Charles Metcalfe
  • Vernacular Press was no longer subject to restrictions once Charles Metcalfe overturned the licencing requirements in 1823.
  • "Liberator of the Indian press" removed all restrictions on an open press 

1836-1842

Lord Auckland
  • He committed himself to enhancing local schools and growing India's business sector.
  • The first Anglo-Afghan war, which took place while Lord Auckland was in office, significantly damaged British authority in India.

1842-1844

Lord Ellenborough
  • Annexed Sindh (1845-46).

1844-1848

Lord Hardinge 1

1848-1856

Lord Dalousie
  • First Telegraph line.
  • Began the Indian Civil Services Competitive Examination.
  • Public works department's establishment.
  • Pensions and titles are eliminated.
  • Act on Widows' Remarriage.

1856-1857

Lord Canning
  • Three universities were established in 1857: one each in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta.
  • There was the Rebellion of 1857.

Read the linked article for the UPSC Exam to learn more about the Education System In India During British Rule!

Difference between Governor General & Viceroys of India

By a Charter Act in 1833, the title Governor-General of India was given to the position of Governor General of Bengal. India was placed under the direct sovereignty of the British Crown after the 1857 uprising, which ended corporate rule. 

Governor General of India

  • The Governor General of India served as the head of state. 
  • William Bentinck was appointed the first Governor General of India in 1833. He made numerous social, educational, and judicial modifications during his tenure, mainly in the area of social & justice spheres.

Viceroy of India

  • As the representative of the monarch of the United Kingdom prior to Indian Independence in 1947, the Viceroy of India, formerly known as the governor-general of India, assumed the position of head of state of India. 
  • Those who represent a King or queen and administer another country on their behalf are known as viceroys. 
  • The Viceroy's status and power were transferred to the British after the revolt in 1857. Before the Viceroy, Governor Generals oversaw India. 
  • Between 1856 and 1862, Lord Canning served as India's first Viceroy.

Lets have look at the the table:

Governor General Of India (Time Periods: 1833 – 1858)

Viceroy of India (Time Periods: 1858 – 1948)

The Charter Act of 1833 established the position of Governor-General of India, with William Bentinck serving as its inaugural occupant.

The Government of India Act of 1858, which was passed following the Revolt of 1857, altered the title of Governor-General of India to Viceroy.

The Court of Directors of the East India Company served as the primary administrative body for the post of Governor-General of India.

As of 1858, the Viceroy of India served as both the Governor-General and the head of state, reporting to the British Crown immediately.

The Court of Directors, the ruling body, selected the Governor-General of India.

The British government's sovereign appointed the Viceroy on the advice of Parliament.

The first Governor-General was William Bentinck.

The first Viceroy was Lord Canning.

The last Governor-General of India was Lord Canning. 

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was the first and last Governor-General of independent India.(last governor general of India)

The last Viceroy was Lord Louis Mountbatten.

A governor-general oversaw the colonies and dominions held in the name of the British parliament.

The Viceroy was in charge of overseeing the colonies that the British Crown possessed.

Previous Year UPSC Questions 

Q 1. It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1933. Discuss. (UPSC Mains 2015, GS Paper 1).

Q 2 In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. (UPSC Mains 2013, GS Paper1).

Check out the test series for UPSC IAS Exam here. 

We hope all your doubts regarding the Governor General of India and Bengal are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your preparation with the Testbook App! Register for UPSC Online Classes at an affordable price through the UPSC CSE Coaching platform to boost your IAS preparation.

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Governor General of India and Bengal FAQs

In 1833, William Bentinck was appointed as India's first governor general.

Warren Hastings served as Bengal's first governor general from 1772 to 1785. English statesman Warren Hastings served as the president of the Supreme Council of Bengal. By executing the Regulating Act of 1773, he put a stop to the Dual Government system.

Charles John Canning, also known as the 1st Earl Canning, was an English statesman who served as the last Governor-General of India before becoming the first Viceroy of India after power was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown following the end of the 1857 revolt.

Lieutenant governors, chief commissioners, and administrators, on the other hand, were chosen by and reported to the viceroy, while governors were chosen by the British government and held direct accountability to that body.

The controversial Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was overturned by Lord Ripon. The Resolution of 1882, which gave Indians the right to local self-government, is most famously credited to Lord Ripon.
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