VICEROYS
OF INDIA (1856-1899)
LORD CANNING
(1856-1862)
The last Governor General
who became First Viceroy
of India
ADMINISTRATION
The Government of India Act, 1858 or
The Act for Better Government of India 1858
created office of Secretary of State for
India and transferred all powers from the EIC
to the British Crown after the impact of mutiny
of 1857, a soldier-peasants struggle against
alien rule
Indian Council Act, 1861, a landmark
Act in the history of India, restored the
legislative powers, deprived in 1833, Withdrew Doctrine of Lapse imposed
to provinces of Madras and Bombay, by Lord Dalhousie
JUDICIARY CIVIL SERVICES & POLICE
Indian High Courts Act 1861
Satyendra Nath Tagore became
abolished existing Supreme
the first Indian to qualify for Indian
Court & created High Courts
Civil Service
Introduction of Indian Penal Code 1860
to replace the English Criminal Law and
Civil Procedure Code 1859 and Criminal
Indian Police Act 1861 recommended
Procedure Code 1861 to regulate the
guidelines for a police set up in the
procedures followed by Courts in Civil
provinces
and Criminal matters
EDUCATION
Established University of Bombay, Calcutta, Madras
in 1857 as recommended by Wood’s Dispatch
LORD ELGIN-I
(1862-1863)
Witnessed the Wahabi Movement,
the suppression of the Wahabi
tribe of the fanatic Muslims
LORD LAWRENCE
(1864-1869)
Known as the Savior of Punjab, Created “Indian Forest
became the member of Punjab Department”,opened
Board of Administration after telegraph line between
second Sikh war India and Europe.
LORD MAYO
(1869-1872)
He was the only Viceroy who
was murdered in office
For the First time in Indian history, Statistical survey of India was organized
Census was held in 1871 and Financial Decentralization was started
in India
LORD NORTH BROOK
(1872-1876)
Abolished Income tax
Witnessed visit of Prince
of Wales in 1875 in India
LORD LYTTON
(1876-1880)
He was the most infamous
viceroy in India
ADMINISTRATION
Organised Delhi Durbar in 1877 for Queen
Victoria assuming the title of ‘”Kaiser-i-hind”
CIVIL SERVICES
Famine Commission in 1878 headed
by General Richard Strachey after Great
Famine in 1876-1878
Introduced Statutory Civil Service in 1879
consisting of 1/6 of covenanted posts to be
The Arms Act 1878 making it mandatory filed by Indians of high families; maximum age
for Indians to acquire license for arms for them was reduced from 21 to 19 years
PRESS EDUCATION
Vernacular Press Act 1878 putting back Foundation of the Mohammedan Anglo-
curbs on the vernacular newspapers due Oriental College in 1877 at Aligarh
to severe criticism of Lord Lytton’s
administration
LORD RIPPON
(1880-1884)
The most Liberal Lord, kind hearted person
who sympathized with Indians, also known
as the Father of Local Self Government in
India
The First Viceroy in India who repealed all
controversial Acts including Vernacular
Press Act 1882
ADMINISTRATION
First Factory Act 1881 to Famine Code to face recurrence
ban the child labour of famines in India
Resolution for Local Self-Government Provincial Government – Sources of
in India 1882 to continue financial revenue were divided into three groups–
decentralization to improve administration Centre, Provincial, and those to be divided
between Centre and the Provinces.
EDUCATION CIVIL SERVICES
Constitution of the Hunter Commission Age for Civil Service exam was
on Education (1882) - to review the raised again to 21 years from 19
progress of education in India since
the Wood’s Dispatch 1854
JUDICIARY
The ILBERT Bill Controversy (1883) i.e. to authorize Indian judges
to hear cases against the Europeans resulted into White Revolt,
finally the bill was withdrawn
LORD DUFFERIN
(1884-1888)
Witnessed the formation of Indian National
Congress in 1885. Later played a major role in
India’s Struggle for Independence, it started as
a group of educated Indians to oppose British
policies
LORD LANSDOWNE
(1888-1894)
Indian Council Act 1892 - Increased number
of Indian Representatives in Government,
and members now could discuss the budget
without right to vote on it
Second Factory Act 1891 to determine Set up Durand Commission (1893) to
working hours for female workers define a line between India & Afghanistan
LORD ELGIN-II
(1894-1899)
MAJOR EVENTS
Assassination of two British officials by Chapekar
brothers (1897) due to the harassments British
Great famine of 1896 – 1897 Officers did on the name of relief operations to curb
affected the whole India; it was the deadly plague in Pune. They used to barge into
a great loss to people & property. any house, strip anyone even women for “check-ups”,
destroy property without due permission.
