Timeline of Britishers in India

1639: The British East India Company acquires land from the local Nayak rulers and establishes the town of Madras (now Chennai) as a major trading center.

1661: Bombay (now Mumbai) is acquired by the British as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she marries Charles II of England.

1664 : Fort St. George – was established . Its construction completed in 1668.

1668: The British East India Company establishes a factory in Hugli (now Haldia) in Bengal.

1687: The British East India Company acquires the rights to rent Madras from the Mughal Empire.

1690: The British acquire the rights to the island of Bombay and establish a fortified trading post.

1698: The British East India Company establishes a factory in Calicut (now Kozhikode) in Kerala.

1746-1748: The First Carnatic War takes place between the British East India Company and the French East India Company, fighting for trade and influence in the Carnatic region of South India.

1751-1752: The Second Carnatic War occurs between the British East India Company and the French East India Company, further intensifying their struggle for control in the Carnatic region.

1756-1757: The Third Carnatic War is fought between the British East India Company and the French East India Company, culminating in the Battle of Plassey.

1757: The Battle of Plassey takes place, where the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, defeats the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, and gains control over Bengal.

1760-1763: The Seven Years’ War takes place, with the British East India Company fighting against the French East India Company and their respective allies. The war had significant implications for British control in India.

1764: The Battle of Buxar is fought between the British East India Company and the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal, the Mughal Emperor, and the Nawab of Awadh. The British emerge victorious, expanding their control over northern India.

1765: The Treaty of Allahabad is signed between the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and the British East India Company. The treaty grants the Company Diwani rights and administrative control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

1773: Warren Hastings is appointed as the first Governor-General of Bengal. He implements administrative and judicial reforms, introduces the Bengal Regulation Act,

1773: Establishment of the Supreme Court of Calcutta.

1786: Lord Cornwallis is appointed as the Governor-General of India. He introduces the Permanent Settlement System in Bengal, which fixes land revenue and grants land rights to zamindars.

1798: Sir John Shore (later Lord Teignmouth) becomes the Governor-General of India. He introduces policies to suppress the slave trade and promotes the study of Indian languages and culture.

1802 : Treaty of Bassein, Between Marathas and East India Company

1805: Lord William Bentinck is appointed as the Governor-General of India. He initiates social reforms, including banning sati (the practice of widow burning) and promoting Western education.

1833: The Charter Act is passed, ending the East India Company’s monopoly on trade and opening up India to private trade.

1857-1858: Lord Canning serves as the Governor-General and Viceroy of India during the

Indian Rebellion. He plays a key role in suppressing the rebellion and introduces policies of reconciliation and reforms.

1858: The Government of India Act is passed, transferring the administration of India from the East India Company to the British Crown. Lord Canning becomes the first Viceroy of India.

1862: Lord Elgin is appointed as the Viceroy of India. He focuses on administrative reforms and promotes infrastructure development, including the construction of railways.

1872: Lord Northbrook is appointed as the Viceroy of India. He introduces the Public Works Department, reforms the financial system, and promotes education and agriculture.

1876: Lord Lytton becomes the Viceroy of India. He organizes the grand Delhi Durbar to proclaim Queen Victoria as the Empress of India and introduces the Vernacular Press Act, which curtails freedom of the press.

1885: Lord Dufferin is appointed as the Viceroy of India. He convenes the first session of the Indian National Congress and promotes economic development and education.

1899: Lord Curzon becomes the Viceroy of India. He initiates administrative and infrastructure reforms, including the partition of Bengal, which leads to protests and nationalist movements.

1905: Lord Minto is appointed as the Viceroy of India. He introduces political reforms, including separate electorates for Muslims, and promotes educational reforms.

1916: Lord Chelmsford becomes the Viceroy of India. He engages with Indian political leaders and supports the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which propose greater Indian representation in government.

1921: Lord Reading is appointed as the Viceroy of India. He oversees the implementation of the Government of India Act 1919 and focuses on improving Indian-Muslim relations.

1926: Lord Irwin becomes the Viceroy of India. He held the Round Table Conferences to discuss constitutional reforms and initiated the Simon Commission to review India’s constitutional progress.

1931: Lord Willingdon is appointed as the Viceroy of India. He faces the challenges of the Indian independence movement and introduces constitutional reforms through the Government of India Act 1935.

1936: Lord Linlithgow becomes the Viceroy of India. He faces the growing demands for independence and the outbreak of World War II, which significantly impacts India’s role.

1943: Lord Wavell is appointed as the Viceroy of India. He navigates through the Quit India Movement and initiates discussions about India’s post-war future.

1947: India gains independence from British rule on August 15, following a long struggle led by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others.

This comprehensive timeline includes the major events, wars, treaties, the appointments of Governor Generals and Viceroys, and significant decisions made by them during British rule in India.

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