Governor Generals — Set 1

Correct Answer: A. Warren Hastings

• **Warren Hastings** = was the first Governor-General of Bengal appointed under the Regulating Act of 1773. • **1773** — established the position of Governor-General of Bengal, initiating centralized British rule. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Robert Clive: was a key figure earlier, but served as Governor of Bengal, not the first Governor-General; Lord Cornwallis: introduced the Permanent Settlement much later; John Shore: also served as Governor-General but at a later period.

Correct Answer: C. Lord Cornwallis

• **Lord Cornwallis** = introduced the 'Permanent Settlement' system of land revenue in 1793. • **1793** — the year the Permanent Settlement was implemented, fixing land revenue for Zamindars in Bengal and Bihar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Wellesley: introduced the Subsidiary Alliance; Lord Dalhousie: associated with the Doctrine of Lapse and railways; Lord Curzon: oversaw the Partition of Bengal in 1905.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Wellesley

• **Lord Wellesley** = extensively used the 'Subsidiary Alliance' system to expand British influence. • **Nizam of Hyderabad** — was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance, thereby coming under British protection. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Hastings: known for the Pindari War and Anglo-Nepalese War; Lord Amherst: oversaw the First Anglo-Burmese War; Lord Minto: played a role in the Treaty of Amritsar with Ranjit Singh.

Correct Answer: A. Lord William Bentinck

• **Lord William Bentinck** = was the Governor-General when the practice of Sati was legally abolished in 1829. • **1829** — the year Sati was officially prohibited by law, a significant social reform. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Auckland: known for the First Anglo-Afghan War; Lord Ellenborough: abolished slavery in India; Lord Hardinge: associated with the First Anglo-Sikh War.

Correct Answer: C. Lord Dalhousie

• **Lord Dalhousie** = is associated with the 'Doctrine of Lapse' and the introduction of Railways in India. • **1853** — the year the first passenger train ran between Bombay and Thane, marking the start of Indian railways. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Canning: was the last Governor-General and first Viceroy, his tenure followed Dalhousie's; Lord Lawrence: known for 'Masterly Inactivity' policy; Lord Mayo: introduced financial decentralization.

Correct Answer: C. Lord Canning

• **Lord Canning** = served as the last Governor-General of the East India Company and the first Viceroy of India. • **1857** — the year of the Great Revolt, which led to the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Elgin: served a later term; Lord Lytton: known for the Vernacular Press Act; Lord Dufferin: was Viceroy during the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Ripon

• **Lord Ripon** = was the Viceroy during whose tenure the first complete census of India was conducted in 1881. • **1881** — the year the first synchronous and comprehensive census of India was undertaken, establishing a regular decennial practice. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Lytton: known for the Vernacular Press Act and Second Anglo-Afghan War; Lord Mayo: conducted India's first incomplete census in 1872; Lord Northbrook: was Viceroy during the Kuka Revolt.

Correct Answer: D. Lord Curzon

• **Lord Curzon** = was the Viceroy under whose administration the Partition of Bengal was carried out in 1905. • **1905** — the year of the Partition of Bengal, which fueled the Swadeshi Movement. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Minto: implemented the Morley-Minto reforms; Lord Chelmsford: was Viceroy during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre; Lord Hardinge: annulled the Partition of Bengal in 1911.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Hardinge II

• **Lord Hardinge II** = was the Viceroy of India when the capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. • **1911** — the year the capital of British India was officially moved from Calcutta to Delhi, announced at the Delhi Durbar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Minto II: preceded Hardinge II, known for the Morley-Minto Reforms; Lord Reading: served later, associated with the Chauri Chaura incident; Lord Irwin: served even later, known for the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Chelmsford

• **Lord Chelmsford** = was the Viceroy during whose term the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred. • **1919** — the year the repressive Rowlatt Act was passed and the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Reading: served later, associated with the Chauri Chaura incident and Swaraj Party formation; Lord Irwin: served later, known for the Gandhi-Irwin Pact and Civil Disobedience Movement; Lord Willingdon: served even later, known for the second and third Round Table Conferences.