Modern Indian Historical Figures

Lord Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy and Governor-General of India, addressed the Constituent Assembly before independence. C. Rajagopalachari became the first Indian Governor-General after independence.

The decision to move India's capital from Kolkata (Calcutta) to Delhi was announced by King George V during the 1911 Delhi Durbar, while Lord Harding was Viceroy. Although Lord Curzon had earlier considered partitioning Bengal, the actual capital relocation proposal and implementation occurred under Lord Harding's administration.

Hari Singh Nalwa served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was one of the most celebrated generals in Sikh history, known for his military victories, particularly in the North-West Frontier Province.

Dalip Singh (also spelled Duleep Singh) was the youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and became the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. After the Anglo-Sikh Wars, he was taken to England and converted to Christianity.

Timur Lang (Tamerlane, 1336-1405 CE) was a Turco-Mongol conqueror who invaded India in 1398. His invasion was exceptionally brutal - he massacred thousands in Delhi and destroyed the city. While Babar also invaded India, Timur's invasion was particularly noted for its cruelty and scale of destruction.

Shah Nawaz Khan was a prominent officer in the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) led by Subhas Chandra Bose. He was one of the three INA officers who were tried by the British in the famous Red Fort trials of 1945. Sarat Chandra Bose was Subhas Bose's brother but not directly associated with INA.

Lord William Bentinck (Governor-General 1828-1835) hosted Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Ropar in 1831. This meeting was part of diplomatic relations between the British and the Sikh kingdom, showing mutual respect during a period of relative peace.

Lord Dalhousie introduced the system of open competitive examination for the Indian Civil Service through the Charter Act of 1853. Before this, ICS positions were nominated by the Court of Directors of the East India Company. The 1853 Act made the system merit-based, though Indians could theoretically compete but faced practical barriers like the examination being held in London.

General K.M. Cariappa (later Field Marshal) became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on January 15, 1949, succeeding General Sir Roy Bucher. This marked a significant milestone in India's post-independence military indigenization. Gen. Thimayya and Gen. Manekshaw were later prominent Indian military leaders, but Cariappa was the first to hold this top position.

Lord Canning was the last Governor General of India (1856-1862) and became the first Viceroy of India after the 1857 revolt. The title changed from Governor General to Viceroy in 1858.

The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie (1848-1856). It allowed the British to annex any princely state where the ruler died without a natural male heir.

Captain Mohan Singh founded the Indian National Army (INA) in 1942 with Japanese support. However, the INA became famous under Subhas Chandra Bose who took over in 1943. The question asks who FOUNDED it, not who led it.

Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of British India (1947-1948) and also the first Governor General of independent India. He oversaw the partition and transfer of power in 1947.

Lord Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy of British India and became the first Governor-General of independent India after the transfer of power on August 15, 1947. He held this position until June 1948 when C. Rajagopalachari took over. Lord Wavell was the Viceroy before Mountbatten, while Lord Willington and Lord Irwin held office in the 1930s and early 1930s respectively.

Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India in 1858 after the Government of India Act was passed following the Revolt of 1857. The title 'Viceroy' replaced 'Governor-General' to represent the British Crown rather than the East India Company. Lord Elgin (1862-1863), Lord Lawrence (1864-1869), and Lord Lytton (1876-1880) all served as Viceroys later in British India.