Modern Indian Historical Figures

Lord Macaulay in his "Minute Upon Indian Education" argued that publication of books in Sanskrit and Arabic should be withdrawn, and support for religious institutions like madrassas should be reduced. Instead, the funds should be used to introduce western education. Lord William Bentinck's English Education Act of 1835 endorsed this minute.

John Macpherson, who served as acting Governor-General, is often credited with formalizing the designation of the district head as the Collector.

While Cornwallis is often called the father of the Indian Civil Service, Lord William Bentinck is frequently associated with the expansion and structural changes in the civil service system during his tenure.

Lord Dalhousie came to India in 1848 to serve as Governor General of India. He annexed many states like Satara, Sambhalgarh, Nagpur and Jhansi under 'Doctrine of Lapse'. He introduced railways in India and the first railway line from Mumbai to Thane was opened in 1853. In the same year, Calcutta and Agra were connected by Telegraph.

The construction of Grand Trunk road  was initiated by Babur but it was completed by Sher Shah Suri. It is the oldest and most famous highway in Indian Sub continent. Under the Governor Generalship of Lord Dalhousie the Grand Trunk Road was taken up and it was refurnished. 

Lord Dalhousie, the youngest governor-general of India served India from 1848-1856. He introduced a number of reforms which paved the way for modernisation of India and also earned the title "Maker of Modern India". He introduced Railways in India in 1853. In 1852, he introduced the Electric Telegraph system. The credit of establishing the Postal Department also goes to Lord Dalhousie. In 1854, a new Post Office Act was passed.

Dalhousie introduced uniform postage system in India. In 1854, a new Post Office Act was passed. Under this system a Director General was appointed to supervise the works of Post Office in all the Presidencies.; a uniform rate of half anna per letter was introduced and first time Postage Stamps were introduced.

Dalhousie introduced a new system of internal communication in India. He was the "Father of Indian Railways." Dalhousie's famous Railway minutes Minute of 1853 convinced the home authorities of the need of the Railways and laid down the main lines of development.  The first train in India was run from Mumbai to Thane in 1853. It covered a distance of 26 miles.

Asiatic Society at Calcutta was founded by  Sir William Jones, a British lawyer and Orientalist, to encourage Oriental studies on 15 January 1784. It was the vehicle for his ideas about the importance of Hindu culture and learning and about the vital role of Sanskrit in the Aryan languages.

Vellore sepoy mutiny was the first instance of a large-scale and violent mutiny by Indian sepoys against the East India Company which was in 10 July 1806. It was basically caused by resentment at new British regulations that ordered changes in headgear and shaving style and the prohibition of ornaments and caste marks for the Indian troops. The Governor of Madras presidency at the time was William Bentinck.

Lord William Bentinck introduced the use of local languages in the law courts, replacing Persian as the official language of the judiciary.

Lord Amherst was succeeded by William Bentinck as the Governor General of India. Lord Amherst was Governor-General of India between 1823 and 1828.Lord William Bentinck was Governor-General from 1828 to 1835 in India and he introduced many judicial, financial, educational, social and administrative reforms.

Lord Dalhousie is famously known as the 'Maker of Modern India' for introducing the railway, telegraph, and postal systems.

Upon independence in August 1947, the title of Viceroy was abolished. The representative of the British Sovereign became known once again as the Governor-General. C. Rajagopalachari became the only Indian Governor-General.