The title held by the governor of India before independence was Viceroy of India. The Viceroy was the representative of the British monarch in India and was the highest-ranking official in the British administration in the country.

The Viceroy of India was appointed by the British government and was responsible for overseeing the administration of British India. The Viceroy had wide-ranging powers and was the head of the government and the commander-in-chief of the British Indian armed forces. The Viceroy was also responsible for representing the British government in its dealings with the princely states and other foreign powers.

The title of Viceroy of India was established in 1858, following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which led to the transfer of power from the British East India Company to the British Crown. The first Viceroy of India was Lord Canning, who served from 1858 to 1862.

Over the years, the role and powers of the Viceroy of India evolved, with the position becoming increasingly ceremonial as India moved towards independence. The last Viceroy of India was Lord Mountbatten, who served from 1947 until India gained independence in 1947. Lord Mountbatten played a crucial role in overseeing the partition of India and Pakistan and the transfer of power from British rule to Indian and Pakistani independence.

After independence, the title of Viceroy of India was abolished, and the position of Governor-General of India was established. The Governor-General was appointed by the Indian government and served as the ceremonial head of state, representing the country in its dealings with other nations.

For more information on the history of the Viceroy of India and the role of the Governor-General of India, you can visit the following links:

• Viceroy of India - Wikipedia
• Governor-General of India - Wikipedia

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