Who was the last Governor General of India? A. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari B. Warren Hastings C. Louis Mountbatten D. Edward Law
A
Understanding the Role of the Governor General of India
The position of the Governor General of India was a crucial one in the history of British India and also during the transitional period immediately following India's independence. This office represented the Crown's authority in India and later became the constitutional head of state during the Dominion status.
Identifying the Last Governor General of India
India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. At this time, the country became a Dominion within the British Commonwealth. The office of the Governor General continued to exist as the representative of the British monarch, who was still the head of state.
The person who served as the Governor General of India immediately after independence was Lord Louis Mountbatten. He was the last British Governor General of India and continued in the role until June 1948.
Following Lord Mountbatten, an Indian was appointed to the office for the first time. This was Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. He served as the Governor General of India from June 1948 until January 26, 1950.
On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, and India became a Republic. The office of the Governor General was abolished, and the President of India became the head of state. Therefore, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was the last person to hold the office of the Governor General of India.
Analysis of Options
- A. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari: Served as Governor General from 1948 to 1950. He was the first Indian Governor General and the last person to hold the office before India became a Republic.
- B. Warren Hastings: Served as the first Governor General of Bengal from 1772 and later the first Governor General of India from 1774 to 1785. He held the office much earlier in history.
- C. Louis Mountbatten: Served as the last Viceroy of India and the first Governor General of independent India (from 1947 to 1948). He was the last British Governor General.
- D. Edward Law (Lord Ellenborough): Served as Governor General of India from 1842 to 1844. He held the office during the British Raj, long before India's independence.
Based on the timeline and the transition to a Republic, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was the last individual to hold the position of the Governor General of India.
| Name | Period Served (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lord Louis Mountbatten | 1947 - 1948 | Last Viceroy, First Governor General of Independent India (British) |
| Chakravarti Rajagopalachari | 1948 - 1950 | First and Last Indian Governor General |
Revision Table: Governor Generals of India
| Name | Period | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Warren Hastings | 1774 – 1785 | First Governor-General of Bengal (later India) |
| Lord William Bentinck | 1828 – 1835 | First Governor-General of India (under the Charter Act of 1833) |
| Lord Dalhousie | 1848 – 1856 | Doctrine of Lapse, introduced railways, telegraph, postal reforms |
| Lord Canning | 1856 – 1862 | Last Governor-General and First Viceroy of India |
| Lord Mountbatten | 1947 – 1948 | Last Viceroy, First Governor-General of Independent India |
| Chakravarti Rajagopalachari | 1948 – 1950 | First and last Indian Governor-General |
Additional Information: Transition to Republic
The role of the Governor General of India ended when the country adopted its constitution and declared itself a Sovereign Democratic Republic on January 26, 1950. The head of state then became the President of India, elected by an electoral college.
The first President of India was Dr. Rajendra Prasad. This transition marked a significant step in India's journey from a British Dominion to a fully independent Republic with its own elected head of state.
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari facilitated this transition as the incumbent Governor General, handing over the responsibilities to the newly established office of the President.
Important Questions from Viceroy and Governor
Which Governor General of Bengal underwent impeachment proceedings in the British Parliament?
Consider the following statements related to Wellesley's administration:
1) In the six years of Wellesley's administration, the army accounted for 42.5 percent of the Company's total expenditure.
2) Wellesley's administrative measures were restricted to the affairs of the Company and had nothing to do with the commercial and military affairs of the Indian ruling families.
Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?Who among the following introduced the Permanent Settlement of Bengal in 1793?
Soon after the formation of Indian National Congress, the British became suspicious of nationalists. Who among the following called Congress representing only the elite --'a microscopic minority'?
The arms Act which disallowed Indians from having arms was passed in ______.
