GOVERNOR-GENERALS OF INDIA
Lord William Bentinck (AD 1828-35)
● Charter Act of 1833 was passed and he was made the first Governor General of India. Before him, the designation given was Governor General of Bengal.
● Carried out social reforms like prohibition of sati (1829) and elimination of thugs (1830). On Macaulay’s recommedations, English was made the medium of higher education. Suppressed female infanticide and child sacrifice.
Lord Metcalfe (AD 1835-36)
● Known as liberator of the press in India.
Lord Auckland (AD 1836-42)
● First Afghan War (1838-42), a disaster for the English.
Lord Ellenborough (AD 1842-44)
● Brought an end to the Afghan war. War with Gwalior (1843), Annexation of Sind by Charles Napier (1843).
Lord Hardinge (AD 1844-48)
● First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) and Treaty of Lahore (1846). Gave preference to English educated persons in employment.
Lord Dalhousie (AD 1848-56)
● Introduction of Doctrine of Lapse and annexation of Satara (1848), Jaipur and Sambhalpur (1849), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), Nagpur (1854) and Awadh (annexed in 1856 on account of maladministration).
● Laid down the first railway line between Bombay and Thane (1853), Telegraph line between Calcutta and Agra and Postal reforms (first issue of the Indian stamp in Karachi in 1854) with the Post Office Act.
● Widow Remarriage Act, 1856 (the main force being Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar).
● Started Public Works Department, Grand Trunk Road work and harbour of Karachi, Bombay and Calcutta developed.
● Charter Act, 1853-Selection to Civil Service through competitive examination.
● Started Engineering College at Roorkee; made Shimla, the summer capital.