1774 – 1947 AD : GOVERNOR GENERALS OF INDIA Warren Hastings (20 Oct 1774 - 1 Feb 1785) He was the first Governor Generals of India. He stripped off the powers of Bengal Nawab and the annual tribute paid to the Mughal Emperor was withdrawn. Hastings concluded treaties with various other Indian rulers and sought alliances against the powerful forces of Hyder Ali in the Carnatic. He was a patron of Indian learning and evinced a keen interest in Indian literature and philosophy. It was, for instance, with his encouragement that Charles Wilkins rendered the Bhagavad Gita into English. Sir John Macpherson (1 Feb 1785 - 12 Sep 1786) He was the acting Governor Generals of India from 1785 to 1786 on Hastings's resignation. Macpherson's administration is characterised by inefficiencies, corruption and unrest in the army. Lord Cornwallis (12 Sep 1786 - 28 Oct 1793) During his tenure he proved an able administrator and a reformer. He enacted numerous significant re...