Understanding the First Governor General of India

The question asks about the first person to hold the position of Governor General of India. To answer this, we need to look at the history of British administration in India.

Initially, the British East India Company's territories were administered under different presidencies, with the Governor of Bengal being the most important. However, the Regulating Act of 1773 brought about a significant change. This act created the office of the 'Governor General of the Presidency of Fort William' (or Governor General of Bengal) to oversee the Company's territories in India.

Let's look at the options provided:

• Warren Hastings
• Lord Cornwallis
• Lord Minto
• John Shore

Considering the historical context:

• Warren Hastings served as the Governor of Bengal from 1772 to 1774. Following the Regulating Act of 1773, he became the first person to hold the title of Governor General of the Presidency of Fort William (Governor General of Bengal). His tenure as Governor General lasted from 1774 to 1785.
• Lord Cornwallis succeeded Warren Hastings as the Governor General of Bengal, serving from 1786 to 1793. He is known for introducing the Permanent Settlement of Bengal.
• John Shore followed Lord Cornwallis, serving as Governor General from 1793 to 1798.
• Lord Minto served as Governor General much later, from 1807 to 1813.

The title officially changed to 'Governor General of India' under the Charter Act of 1833, with Lord William Bentinck being the first to hold this specific title. However, the question asks for the first Governor General of India, and in the context of the options provided, Warren Hastings is consistently recognized as the first Governor General under the structure established by the Regulating Act of 1773, effectively becoming the chief administrator of British territories in India.

Therefore, based on the options and common historical understanding of the first person to hold the Governor General title overseeing British possessions in India, Warren Hastings is the correct answer.