📘 Introduction
The establishment of the Governor-General of Bengal marked a major shift in British India’s administration. When the East India Company arrived in India, it had separate governors for Bombay, Madras, and Bengal. However, after the Regulating Act of 1773, the post of Governor of Bengal was upgraded to Governor-General of Bengal — with authority over the other presidencies.
List of Governor-Generals of Bengal (1773–1833)
Governor-General | Tenure | Major Contributions |
Warren Hastings | 1773–1785 | First Governor-General of Bengal; reformed administration and judiciary; faced impeachment but later acquitted. |
Lord Cornwallis | 1786–1793 | Introduced Permanent Settlement (1793); known for the Cornwallis Code; strengthened revenue and judicial systems. |
Sir John Shore | 1793–1798 | Focused on Bengal’s land revenue system; advocated just governance and cautious policies toward Indian states. |
Lord Wellesley | 1798–1805 | Expanded British rule; followed the Subsidiary Alliance policy; founded Fort William College (1800). |
Sir George Barlow | 1805–1807 | Known for cost-cutting measures; served briefly as acting Governor-General. |
Lord Minto I | 1807–1813 | Signed Treaty of Amritsar (1809) with Maharaja Ranjit Singh; maintained peace in north India. |
Francis Rawdon Hastings | 1813–1823 | Strengthened the empire through wars with Nepal and Marathas; expanded British control. |
Lord Amherst | 1823–1828 | Led the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26); annexed Assam, Arakan, and Tenasserim. |
Major Highlights
1. Warren Hastings (1773–1785)
First Governor-General of Bengal.
Strengthened judicial and revenue systems.
Centralized British authority in India.
Faced impeachment for corruption but was later acquitted.
2. Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793)
Introduced Permanent Settlement (1793) with zamindars.
Established civil and criminal courts.
Known for administrative efficiency and honesty.
3. Sir John Shore (1793–1798)
Advocated non-intervention policy.
Focused on fair land revenue systems.
Believed in gradual reforms based on local understanding.
4. Lord Wellesley (1798–1805)
Introduced the Subsidiary Alliance System.
Defeated Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
Established Fort William College for civil servants.
5. Lord Minto I (1807–1813)
Signed Treaty of Amritsar with Ranjit Singh.
Maintained balance in British-Sikh relations.
Promoted trade and diplomacy in Southeast Asia.
6. Francis Rawdon Hastings (1813–1823)
Conducted successful wars with Nepal and the Marathas.
Expanded British territory across India.
Improved army and infrastructure.
7. Lord Amherst (1823–1828)
Oversaw First Burmese War (1824-26).
Annexed new territories.
Criticized for costly wars and administrative inefficiency.
FAQs
Q1. Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal?
👉 Warren Hastings (1773–1785)
Q2. Which Governor-General introduced the Permanent Settlement?
👉 Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
Q3. Which treaty did Lord Minto I sign with Ranjit Singh?
👉 Treaty of Amritsar (1809).
Q4. Which war was fought under Lord Amherst?
👉 The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–26).
Key Takeaways for UPSC
Warren Hastings → Foundation of British rule.
Cornwallis → Permanent Settlement.
Wellesley → Expansion via Subsidiary Alliance.
Minto → Diplomatic peace.
Hastings → Territorial consolidation.
Amherst → First Burmese War.
Conclusion
Until 1833, the post was officially titled Governor-General of Bengal.
The Government of India Act of 1833 renamed it to Governor-General of India, marking the next stage in British control.
The Governor-Generals of Bengal were the architects of the British administrative and legal systems — their policies deeply influenced India’s governance structure for decades.
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Learn by video –
Watch the video “Trick To Remember Governor-General of India”. Click here
Trick to Remember — Governors-General of Bengal
To easily recall the names, use this mnemonic story from the image above:
“What Hastings See at the Shore Well?”
Sir George is waiting at his Bungalow for Minto and Hastings — for an Everest Trip.
This fun story helps remember:
Hastings → Cornwallis → Shore → Wellesley → Barlow → Minto → Hastings → Amherst
Perfect for UPSC, State PSC, and SSC aspirants!
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