Governor-General of India

The Governor-General of India (or Governor-General and Viceroy of India) was the head of the British administration in India. The office was created in 1773, with the title of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William. The officer had direct control only over Fort William, but supervised other British East India Company officials in India. Complete authority over all of British India was granted in 1833, and the official became known as the Governor-General of India.

Related Topics:
British administration - India - 1773 - Governor-General - Fort William - British East India Company - 1833

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1858, India came under the direct control of the British Crown. The title "Governor-General" applied to his relationship to the British provinces of India (Punjab, Bengal, Bombay, Madras, United Provinces, etc.). However, much of British India was not ruled directly by the government; the territory was divided into hundreds of nominally sovereign princely states or "native states" whose relationship was not with the British government, but directly with the monarch. To reflect the Governor-General's role as representative from the monarch to the feudal rulers of the princely states, the term Viceroy of India was applied to him; the title was abandoned when India became independent in 1947. The office of Governor-General continued to exist until India adopted a republican constitution in 1950.

Related Topics:
1858 - British Crown - Princely states - Viceroy - 1947 - 1950

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Until 1858, the Governor-General was selected by the Court of Directors of the British East India Company, to whom he was responsible. Thereafter, he was appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the British government; the Secretary of State for India, a member of the Cabinet, was responsible for instructing him on the exercise of his powers. After 1947, the Sovereign continued to appoint the Governor-General, but did so on the advice of the Indian government, rather than the British government.

Related Topics:
Secretary of State for India - Cabinet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Governors-General served five-year terms, but could be removed earlier. After the conclusion of a term, a provisional Governor-General was sometimes appointed until a new holder of the office could be chosen. Provisional Governors-General were often chosen from amongst the provincial Governors.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~