List of Viceroys in India

List of Viceroys in India: After the 1857 battle, the British government noticed that the East India Company was not handling things well. So, they decided to bring in a leader to represent them, and this leader was called the Viceroy of India. The position of Viceroy was established in 1858 after the Sepoy Mutiny, replacing the Governor-General of Bengal as the head of British India. The Viceroy served as the representative of the British Crown, wielding immense power over the subcontinent.

The list of Viceroys in India includes Lord Canning, Lord Ripon, Lord Curzon, and Lord Mountbatten, among the most popular ones. There were a total of 20 viceroys in India. A viceroy is an individual who rules a country on behalf of the monarch or the sovereign.

Viceroys in India

The list of Viceroys in India consists of both famous and infamous figures, including Lord Ripon, Lord Linlithgow, Lord Curzon, and Lord Minto, to name a few. The term “viceroy” is a mixture of Latin and Old French. The title was originally used in the Spanish Empire. After the Spanish Crown colonized the Americas, the concept of “viceroy” was incorporated into the American regime as well.

The concept was introduced to India by the British monarch during the latter half of the 19th century. The viceroys ruled over India on behalf of them. When control of India went to the British Crown, the governor-general came to be known as the Viceroy. The list of viceroys in India is an important topic to be studied.

List of Viceroys in India

Initially appointed by the East India Company, and later by the British Crown after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Viceroys in India held significant political and administrative power. They oversaw British India’s governance, which included managing relations with princely states, implementing policies, and shaping the course of India’s history during a crucial period of colonial rule.

This list of Viceroys in India provides an overview of the individuals who served as Viceroys and Governor-Generals during this pivotal era.

• Lord Canning (1858-1862) – He was the first viceroy in India. In 1860, he introduced the Indian Penal Code. During his reign, the Supreme Court was abolished and the High Courts were established by the Indian High Courts Act of 1861. The Doctrine of Lapse ceased to exist during his time. The Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay Universities were established in 1857 according to the recommendation of Wood’s Dispatch. He also recommended setting up police in the provinces by the Indian Police Act of 1861.
• Lord Elgin (1862-1863) – His reign was marked by economic austerity and severe political campaigns. He witnessed the Wahabi movement of the Muslims where a group of people known as Wahabis were defeated. The Ambala campaign also took place during his reign.
• Lord Lawrence (1864-1869) – He was known for the “masterly inactivity” policy. The Indian Forest Department was established during his time. The Punjab and Oudh Tenancy Act was enacted under him.
• Lord Mayo (1869-1872) – In 1871, he conducted the first-ever census of India. He was the only viceroy who was assassinated during his term in office. He established the Statistical Survey of India.
• Lord Northbrook (1872-1876) – The Prince of Wales visited during his office and the Kuka movement also took place during his reign. In 1872, he introduced the Universal Marriage Act along with allowing intercaste marriage.
• Lord Lytton (1876-1880) – He organized the Delhi Durbar and declared Queen Victoria “Kaiser-i-Hind”. He also introduced the Vernacular Press Act in 1878.
• Lord Ripon (1880-1884) – He is known as the father of the local self-government of India. He introduced the First Factory Act in 1881. The Act banned labor. He introduced the Ilbert Bill and appointed the Hunter Commission.
• Lord Dufferin (1884-1888) – The Indian National Congress was established during his reign in 1885. The annexation of Burma during the third Anglo-Burmese War took place in 1886.
• Lord Lansdowne (1888-1894) – Increase in the number of Indian representatives in the government through the Indian Council Act of 1892. In 1893, the Durand Commission was established.
• Lord Elgin-II (1894-1899) – The British officer called Rands was killed during the reign of Lord Elgin -II, making it the first act of political killing by the Damodar brothers.
• Lord Curzon (1899-1905) – He ordered the partition of Bengal into two parts namely, East Bengal and Bengal. He appointed the Raleigh Commission which recommended the Indian Universities Act.
• Lord Minto-II (1905-1910) – In 1909, the famous Morley-Minto reforms were established that introduced separate electorates for Muslim citizens. His reign witnessed the Swadeshi movement, the split in the Congress, and the formation of the Muslim League.
• Lord Hardinge-II (1910-1916) – The partition of Bengal was declared void in 1911. Delhi was established as the capital of India. The third Delhi Durbar was held in 1911.
• Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921) – He is known for the Montagu-Chelmsford Reform which introduced the idea of “diarchy”. The Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919 and the Saddler’s Commission was formed to reform the policy of education.
• Lord Reading (1921-1926) – He repealed the Rowlatt Act. He witnessed the Moplah rebellion in Kerala.
• Lord Irwin (1926-1931) – He is famous for the Gandhi-Irwin pact and the boycott of the Simon Commission. The round table conferences were introduced during his reign.
• Lord Willingdon (1931-1936) – The Communal award was introduced. The Poona Pact was made during his time.
• Lord Linlithgow (1936-1944) – The Cripps Mission came to India in 1942 and the Quit India movement started around the same time.
• Lord Wavell (1944-1947) – He devised the “Wavell Plan”. Atlee’s Declaration made India free of the British reign.
• Lord Mountbatten (1947-1948) – The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was passed and the Mountbatten Plan was proposed.

All the viceroys in India worked towards the progress of the country during their reign while some devised highly regressive policies. The list of viceroys in India highlights the fact how they served with their greatest commitment to prove their loyalty to the British Crown and to gain the favour of the English Monarchy.

Summary – List of Viceroys in India

The article “List of Viceroys in India” provides a chronological list of the individuals who served as Viceroys and Governor-Generals in India from 1858 to 1947. It includes brief descriptions of their backgrounds, accomplishments, and notable events during their tenure, offering insight into the governance and history of British India during this period.

The list of viceroys in India comprises 20 Viceroys, each contributing to India’s governance. For instance, Lord Canning introduced the Indian Penal Code, and Lord Ripon, known as the father of local self-government, implemented significant reforms. The last Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, played a crucial role in India’s independence. Their actions shaped India’s history during their respective tenures.

FAQs on the Viceroys in India

1. How many Viceroys were there in India?

There are a total of 20 Viceroys in India from Lord Canning. Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy in India who did several reforms in India.

2. Who was the first Viceroy of India?

The first Viceroy in India was Lord Canning. He ruled from the year 1958 till 1862. He worked under the direct rule of the British monarchy. He also rejected the Doctrine of Lapse.

3. Who is known as the popular Viceroy of India?

Lord Ripon is the most popular Viceroy of India. He was known as one liberal viceroy who did several reforms in India including reforms in the educational field and factories as well.

4. Who was the last viceroy of India?

Lord Mountbatten was the last viceroy of India. He was also the last viceroy before the Independence of India along with the first governor-general of free India. He served India as the last viceroy till August 1947.

5. Who was the most famous viceroy in India?

The most famous Viceroy in India was Lord Curzon. He was responsible for the partition of Bengal in 1905. He ordered Bengal to be divided into two regions namely East Bengal and Bengal.