In the context of British rule, who is generally regarded as the first Governor General of India after the Charter Act of 1833?

Introduction / Context:
Titles like Governor General of Bengal and Governor General of India changed over time under British rule. The Charter Act of 1833 marked an important administrative shift by redesignating the Governor General of Bengal as the Governor General of India, giving him authority over all British territories in India. This question asks you to identify who first held this expanded title, which is a frequently tested fact in modern Indian history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the first person formally recognised as Governor General of India.
• The relevant change came with the Charter Act of 1833.
• Options include Lord William Bentinck, Lord Dalhousie, Lord Cornwallis, and None of these.

Concept / Approach:
Before 1833, the head of British administration in India was officially called the Governor General of Bengal. Warren Hastings and Lord Cornwallis both served under this earlier title. The Charter Act of 1833 extended the Governor General s authority and changed the designation to Governor General of India. Lord William Bentinck, who was already serving as Governor General of Bengal, became the first to hold the new title of Governor General of India after this act was passed. Recognising this sequence is the key to answering the question correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Warren Hastings was the first Governor General of Bengal, not of India. Step 2: Remember that Lord Cornwallis also served as Governor General of Bengal. Step 3: Note that the Charter Act of 1833 changed the title to Governor General of India. Step 4: Identify that Lord William Bentinck was in office at this time and thus became the first Governor General of India under the new designation. Step 5: Recognise that Lord Dalhousie came later in the mid nineteenth century and cannot be the first in this sense. Step 6: Therefore, select Lord William Bentinck as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Chronological tables of British Governors General and Viceroys clearly list Lord William Bentinck as the first Governor General of India, serving from 1833 to 1835 in that capacity. This confirms his precedence over later figures like Dalhousie.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lord Dalhousie, although an important and controversial Governor General, served later and is not the first. Lord Cornwallis and earlier office holders carried the title Governor General of Bengal, not of India. Therefore, they do not satisfy the precise wording of the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the first Governor General of Bengal with the first Governor General of India and mistakenly choose Warren Hastings or Cornwallis if those names are available. Here, careful reading of the title after the 1833 act is essential.

Final Answer:
The first person to hold the title Governor General of India was Lord William Bentinck.