The designation `Viceroys` were applied to the Governor Generals in order to reflect the role of a representative of the King to the feudal rulers of the princely states in India. Till the year 1948 the title was in use and soon lost its existence after India gained independence.

Lord Dalhousie:
Lord Dalhousie was the viceroy in India in 1848, and continued serving the empire for eight long years. He followed the policy of annexation which was instrumental in raising the glory of the East India Company rule. Very ably he laid down the railway lines and set up a better network for communication and also brought tremendous changes in the Secretariat.

Charles John Canning:
He was known as Viscount Canning, was an English statesman and Governor-General of India during the Mutiny of 1857. He was made the Viceroy of India in 1858. 1859 was the year when he was raised to the dignity of an Earl, as Earl Cunning, and he was thanked by both the Houses of Parliament for his services during the Sepoy Mutiny. He left India and reached England in the year 1862 and met his death on 17th June. He was made the Knight of the Garter but he left no heir so his titles died out.

Lord Elgin:
Lord Elgin was the Viceroy of India from 1862 to 1863. He was an able administrator and trained in his duties. He had a glorious career which abruptly ended with his sudden death. His contributions during the Sepoy mutiny did not go unnoticed.

Lord John Lawrence:
He was the viceroy of India from the year 1864 to 1869. He was entrusted with the task of tax collection in Delhi where he was also a magistrate. he had deep concern for the peasants which is well known.

Lord Mayo:
Born in 1822, Lord Mayo served the position of Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872. he is remembered for the effort he put in for the unification of the frontiers of India, organisation of finance and other public works like irrigation, railays etc. During his administration was the first general census held in 1870, for an overall estimate. He is credited for the establishment of the Mayo College at Ajmer for education of young princes.

Lord Lytton:
Lord Lytton was the viceroy of India for some time while continuing with the designation of the Governor of Bengal from 1922 to 1927. He was born in Shimla, India and took over in 1876. lord lytton was the part of the crisis when the India Act of 1919 was bound to be implemented and the National Congress resisted, passing of the Vernacular press Act and Indian Arms Act.

Lord Ripon:
Lord Ripon was appointed the Viceroy with an attitude of adopting a more benevolent step towards the Indian population. From 1880 to 1884, he served his office and annulled the Vernacular Press Act and also introduced a local-self government. Ilbert Bill instantly popularised him among the Indians.

Lord Dufferin:
He was the eight Indian viceroy in december 1884. he secured the support of both the anglo Indians and the Indians, fostering the cause of the Indian Nationalists and voicing most of their key demands. He is credited for the setting up of the Imperial Service Corps which was the beginning of the modern army.

Lord Curzon:
Lord Curzon was appointed the Viceroy of India in January, 1899. he was an imperialist and carried on with the policies of pertition of Bengal despite constant opposition. He created the North West Frontier Province for the independent tribes of the north west frontier. Few natural calamities also struck his reign, like the famine which evoked a lot of displeasure among the Indians. He made efforts to restore the Taj Mahal during his tenure.

India has been under the british rule, which left it under the viceroyalty of these englishmen whose policies greatly affected the Indian masses. This was dissatisfactorily taken and at times was granted acceptance. Over all they were instrumental in affecting the future policies of India.