List of governors of West Bengal

The Governor of West Bengal is the nominal head of the Indian state of West Bengal. The governor is appointed by the president of India. C. V. Ananda Bose is the incumbent governor, having taken office on 18 November 2022.^[1]

Governor of West Bengal
Incumbent C. V. Ananda Bose since 18 November 2022 (2022-11-18)
Style	The Honourable (formal) Mr. Governor (informal) His/Her Excellency
Status	Head of state
Abbreviation	GoWB
Residence	Raj Bhavan, Kolkata (primary) Raj Bhavan, Darjeeling (summer)
Appointer	President of India
Term length	At the pleasure of the President
Precursor	Governor-General of India
Inaugural holder	Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari
Formation	15 August 1947; 77 years ago (1947-08-15)
Salary	₹350,000 (US$4,000) (per month)
Website	rajbhavankolkata.nic.in

History

In 1911 the imperial capital of India was moved from Calcutta to Delhi and as some compensation to Bengal the lieutenant governor with council gave place to a governor with a council thus completing the circle and reverting to the position which had been obtained 200 years ago. In 1947 India achieved independence and the title of Governor of Bengal remained.

Powers and functions

See also: Governors of India § Powers and functions

The governor enjoys many different types of powers:

• Executive powers related to administration, appointments and removals,
• Legislative powers related to lawmaking and the state legislature, that is Vidhan Sabha or Vidhan Parishad, and
• Discretionary powers to be carried out according to the discretion of the governor.

Ex officio role of governor

In his ex officio capacity, the governor of West Bengal is Chancellor of the universities of West Bengal (at present^[timeframe?] 16) as per the Acts of the Universities. The Universities are: University of Calcutta; Jadavpur University; Presidency University, Kolkata; University of Kalyani; Rabindra Bharati University; Vidyasagar University; University of Burdwan; North Bengal University; Netaji Subhas Open University; Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology; Aliah University; Bankura University; Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University; Diamond Harbour Women's University; University of Gour Banga; Kazi Nazrul University; Raiganj University; Sidho Kanho Birsha University; Sanskrit College and University; West Bengal University of Teachers' Training, Education Planning and Administration; Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya; Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya; West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences; West Bengal University of Health Sciences and West Bengal State University. For Visva Bharati, the governor is the Pradhana (Rector).

The governor is also the chairman or president of some organizations, such as Victoria Memorial Hall, Indian Museum, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Calcutta Cultural Centre (Kolkata Kala Kendra), Special Fund for R&R of Ex-servicemen, West Bengal Rajya Sainik Board, Sri Aurobindo Samiti, Indian Red Cross Society - West Bengal State Branch, St. John Ambulance Brigade No. II (West Bengal) District, Bharat Scouts and Guides and the Bengal Tuberculosis Association.

The Governor of West Bengal’s Welfare Fund, has the governor as its chairman. Contributions from this fund are given to the needy people for meeting, to some extent the cost of their treatment. Besides the above, at his discretion, the governor, accepts the position of Chief Patron/Patron or other posts in the honorary capacity, in various organizations that are rendering yeoman service to the society in different fields.

Governors of Bengal Presidency (1650–1936)

Agents, Chiefs and Governors (1650-1699)

In 1644 Gabriel Boughton, procured privileges for the East India Company which permitted them to build a factory at Hughli, without fortifications. In 1650, the factories of Balasor and Hughli were united. On 14 December 1650, James Bridgman was appointed as the chief of the factories. However, in 1653, Bridgman left suddenly and Powle Waldegrave assumed his charge.

On 27 February 1657, the company resolved its holdings into four agencies:- Fort St. George, Bantam, Persia, and Hughli. George Gawton was appointed as the Agent of Hughly. Additional three factories in Ballasore, Cassambazar and Pattana were put under the Hughly agency. In 1658, Johnathan Trevisa was appointed as the second to Gawton and was meant to succeed him after the latter's death. On 6 February 1661, the company reduced the Hughly agency under the Fort St. George, and then agent Trevisa was made the "Chief of Factories in the Bay of Bengal". On 24 November 1681, William Hedges was appointed as the "Agent and Governor for the affairs of the East India Company in the Bay of Bengal". On 21 December 1684, William Gyfford who was the President and Governor of Fort St. George was given the additional charge of Bengal due to increasing mismanagement. John Beard was appointed as the "Agent and Chief in the Bay of Bengal" and become the subordinate to Gifford.

Chief of the factories of Balasore and Hughli
Name	Portrait	Took Office	Left Office	Remarks
James Bridgman		14 December 1650	1653
Powle Waldegrave		1653	1657
Agent of Hughly Agency
George Gawton		27 February 1657	11 September 1658
John Trevisa		11 September 1658	6 February 1661
Chief of Factories in the Bay of Bengal
John Trevisa		6 February 1661	31 January 1662
William Blake		31 January 1662	24 January 1668
Shem Bridges		24 January 1668	7 December 1669
Henry Powell		7 December 1669	?
Walter Clavell		~June 1672	7 August 1677	Died in office
Mathias Vincent		7 September 1677	~July 1682 (position superseded)	Deposed in July 1682
Agent and Governor for the affairs of the East India Company in the Bay of Bengal
Sir William Hedges		24 November 1681	~ August 1684	Deposed in August 1864
Agent and Chief in the Bay of Bengal
John Beard		21 December 1863	28 August 1865	Died in office
Job Charnock		~ April 1686	10 January 1693	Died in office
Francis Ellis		10 January 1693	January 1694
Charles Eyre		25 January 1694	1 February 1699	Left for England in 1699
John Beard		1 February 1699	20 December 1699 (position superseded)	Second to Eyre

President and Governor of Fort William, in Bengal (1699-1705)

On 20 December 1699, the Court of Directors (London East India Company) declared Bengal a Presidency, and then Agent Charles Eyre was made the " President and Governor of Fort William, in Bengal". The President or Chief in the Bay of Bengal for the English East India Company was Sir Edward Littleton in whose commission and instructions, dated 12 January 1698, it was also stated that power had been obtained from his Majesty to constitute him the "Minister or Consul for the English Nation" with all powers requisite thereunto.” Littleton was later deposed by the Court of Directors in 1703.

The union of the two East India Companies took place on 23 July 1702. For united trade in Bengal, a Council was appointed, of which Nathaniel Halsey and Robert Hedges were to take chair each in their week alternatively as per the dispatch from United Company on 26 February 1702. In a dispatch of 12 February 1704, it was ordered that if Beard shall die, no one will be appointed as President to succeed him. After the departure of John Beard to Madras, Ralph Sheldon assumed the position of Chief of Council, and his appointment was confirmed in a dispatch of 7 February 1706.

President and Governor of Fort William, in Bengal
Name	Portrait	Took Office	Left Office	Remarks
Sir Charles Eyre		20 December 1699	7 January 1701	Left on account of health issues
John Beard		7 January 1701	7 July 1705	Died in Office

President in the Bay, and Governor and Commander-in-Chief for Fort William, in Bengal (1705-1774)

On 30 December 1709, Anthony Weldon was appointed as the "President in the Bay, and Governor and Commander-in-Chief for Fort William, in Bengal" for the United East India Company. His appointment was later revoked and was supposed to be succeeded by Sheldon. Since Sheldon had died by the time dispatch arrived in Bengal, John Russell was ordered to succeed as the Governor. By a letter of 8 May 1771, the Court appointed Warren Hastings to be Governor of Bengal. By Act of Parliament 13 Geo. III., cap. 63, the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal will headed by a Governor-General, and Hastings was appointed as the first Governor-General. He assumed the office on 20 October 1774.

President in the Bay, and Governor and Commander-in-Chief for Fort William, in Bengal
#	Name	Portrait	Took Office	Left Office	Remarks	Appointee
1	Anthony Weldon		30 December 1709	4 March 1711	Appointment revoked by the Court of Directors Resigned on March 1711	East India Company
2	John Rusell		4 March 1711	3 December 1713	Dismissed by the Court
3	Robert Hedges		3 December 1713	28 December 1717	died in office
4	Samuel Feake		12 January 1718	17 January 1723	Left for England due to illness
5	John Deane		17 January 1723	30 January 1726	Returned to England
6	Henry Frankland		30 January 1726	25 February 1732	Returned to Europe
7	John Stackhouse		25 February 1732	29 January 1739	Resigned
8	Thomas Broddyll		29 January 1739	4 Feb 1746	Left for England
9	John Forster		4 Feb 1746	March 1748	Died in office
10	William Barewell		18 April 1748	1749	Dismissed by the Court
11	Adam Dawson		17 July 1749	1752	Dismissed by the Court
12	William Fycthe		5 July 1752	8 August 1752	Died in Office
13	Roger Drake		8 August 1752	20 June 1758	Deposed by the Court
14	Col. Robert Clive		27 June 1758	23 January 1760	Resigned
15	John Zephaniah Holwell		28 January 1760	27 July 1760	Handed over to Vansittart who was appointed on 23 November 1759 to the office
16	Henry Vansittart		27 July 1760	26 November 1764	Returned to England
17	John Spencer		3 December 1764	3 May 1765
18	The Lord Clive		3 May 1765	20 January 1767	Returned to England
19	Harry Verelst		29 January 1767	24 December 1769	Retired from the service
20	John Cartier		26 December 1769	13 April 1772
21	Warren Hastings		13 April 1772	20 October 1773 (office superseded)	Appointed as the Governor-General of Fort William in Bengal in 1773

Portrait	Name	Term		Appointer
Before 1773 the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William was named as Governor of Bengal (1757–1772).
Governors General of the Presidency of Fort William (1773–1833)
	Warren Hastings	20 October 1773	8 February 1785	East India Company (1773–1858)
	John Macpherson (acting)	8 February 1785	12 September 1786
	The Marquess Cornwallis	12 September 1786	28 October 1793
	John Shore	28 October 1793	18 March 1798
	Alured Clarke (acting)	18 March 1798	18 May 1798
	The Earl of Mornington	18 May 1798	30 July 1805
	The Marquess Cornwallis	30 July 1805	5 October 1805
	Sir George Barlow, Bt (acting)	10 October 1805	31 July 1807
	The Lord Minto	31 July 1807	4 October 1813
	The Marquess of Hastings	4 October 1813	9 January 1823
	John Adam (acting)	9 January 1823	1 August 1823
	The Lord Amherst	1 August 1823	13 March 1828
	William Butterworth Bayley (acting)	13 March 1828	4 July 1828
Governors-General of India (1834–1858)
	Lord William Bentinck	4 July 1828	20 March 1835	East India Company (1773–1858)
	Charles Metcalfe, Bt (acting)	20 March 1835	4 March 1836
	The Lord Auckland	4 March 1836	15 November 1834

Governors of the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal (1834-1854)

By an Act of 1833 (3 & 4 William IV. , cap. lxxxv., Section lvi . ), it was enacted " that the Executive Government of each of the several Presidencies of Fort William in Bengal, Fort St. George, Bombay, and Agra shall be administered by a Governor and three Councilors, to be styled the Governor-in-Council of the said Presidencies of Fort William in Bengal , Fort St. George, Bombay, and Agra respectively, and that the Governor General of India for the time being shall be Governor of the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal. From this time the Governors General of India held also the separate office of Governor of Bengal, until the year 1854. Under the Charter Act 1853 the Governor General of India was relieved of his concurrent duties as Governor of Bengal and empowered to appoint a lieutenant-governor from 1854.

Governors of the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal (ex-officio Governor-General of India, 1833-1857)
#	Name (birth–death)	Portrait	Took office	Left office	Appointee
1	The Lord William Bentick (1774–1839)		15 November 1834 (1833)	20 March 1835	East India Company
-	Sir Charles Metcalfe, Bt, ICS[2] (acting) (1785–1846)		20 March 1835	4 March 1836
2	The Lord Auckland (1784–1849)		4 March 1836	28 February 1842
3	The Lord Ellenborough (1790–1871)		28 February 1842	June 1844
-	William Wilberforce Bird, ICS[2] (acting) (1784–1857)		June 1844	23 July 1844
4	Sir Henry Hardinge (1785–1856)		23 July 1844	12 January 1848
5	The Earl of Dalhousie (1812–1860)		12 January 1848	1 May 1854 (28 February 1856)

Lieutenant Governors of the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal (1854-1912)

Under the Charter Act 1853 the Governor General of India was relieved of his concurrent duties as Governor of Bengal and a separate Governor of Bengal shall be appointed. Until then a Lieutenant Governor will be appointed. F. J. Halliday became the first lieutenant governor of the Bengal presidency. William Duke served as the last lieutenant governor after which the office was superseded by the Governor of Bengal province in 1912.

Lieutenant Governors of the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal
#	Name	Portrait	Took office	Left office	Appointee
1	Frederick James Halliday		1854	1859	The Marquess of Dalhousie
2	John Peter Grant		1859	1862	The Earl Canning
3	Cecil Beadon		1862	1866
4	William Grey		1867	1870	Sir John Lawrence, Bt
5	George Campbell		1870	1874	The Earl of Mayo
6	Sir Richard Temple Hart		1874	1877	The Lord Northbrook
7	Sir Ashley Eden		1877	1882
8	Sir Augustus Rivers Thompson		1882	1887	The Marquess of Ripon
9	Sir Steuart Colvin Bayley		1887	1890	The Earl of Dufferin
10	Sir Charles Alfred Elliott		1890	1893	The Marquess of Lansdowne
11	Sir Anthony Patrick MacDonnell		1893	1895
12	Sir Alexander Mackenzie		1895	1897	The Earl of Elgin
13	Sir Charles Cecil Stevens		1897	1898
14	Sir John Woodburn		1898	1902
15	James Dewar Bourdillon		1902	1903	The Lord Curzon of Kedleston
16	Sir Andrew Henderson Leith Fraser		1903	1906
17	Francis Slacke		1906	1908	The Earl of Minto
18	Sir Edward Norman Baker		1908	1911
19	Frederick William Duke		1911	1912	The Lord Hardinge of Penshurst

Lieutenant governors of Bihar and Orissa Province

#	Name	Portrait	Entered office	Left office
1	Sir Charles Stuart Bayley		1912	1915
2	Sir Edward Albert Gait		1915	1918
3	Sir Edward Vere Levinge		1918	1918
4	Sir Edward Albert Gait		1918	1919
			1919	1920

Governors of Bihar and Orissa Province

#	Name	Portrait	Entered office	Left office
5	Satyendra Prasanna Sinha		1920	1921
6	Havilland Le Mesurier		1921	1922
7	Sir Henry Wheeler		1922	1927
8	Hugh Lansdown Stephenson		1927	1932
9	Sir James David Sifton		1932	1936

Governors of the Province of Bengal (1937–1947)

Name	Portrait	Took office	Left office	Appointer
The Lord Brabourne		30 May 1937	23 February 1939	The Marquess of Linlithgow
Sir John Arthur Herbert		1 July 1939	1 December 1943
The Lord Casey		14 January 1944	19 February 1946	The Viscount Wavell
Sir Frederick John Burrows		19 February 1946	15 August 1947

List of Governors (1947–present)

Key

•	indicates that this was an additional charge

No.	Name	Portrait	Took office	Left office	Duration	Home State	Appointed by
1.	Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari		15 August 1947	21 June 1948	311 days	Tamil Nadu	Lord Mountbatten
2.	Kailash Nath Katju		21 June 1948	1 November 1951	3 years, 133 days	Madhya Pradesh	Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari
3.	Harendra Coomar Mookerjee		1 November 1951	8 August 1956	4 years, 281 days	West Bengal	Rajendra Prasad
Acting	Phani Bhusan Chakravartti		8 August 1956	3 November 1956	87 days	Bengal Presidency
4.	Padmaja Naidu		3 November 1956	1 June 1967	10 years, 210 days	Andhra Pradesh
5.	Dharma Vira		1 June 1967	1 April 1969	1 year, 304 days	Uttar Pradesh	Zakir Husain
Acting	Deep Narayan Sinha		1 April 1969	19 September 1969	171 days	Not Known
6.	Shanti Swaroop Dhavan		19 September 1969	21 August 1971	1 year, 336 days	Uttar Pradesh	V. V. Giri
7.	Anthony Lancelot Dias		21 August 1971	6 November 1979	8 years, 77 days	Maharashtra
8.	Tribhuvana Narayana Singh		6 November 1979	12 September 1981	1 year, 310 days	Uttar Pradesh	Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy
9.	Bhairab Dutt Pande		12 September 1981	10 October 1983	2 years, 28 days	Uttarakhand
10.	Anant Prasad Sharma		10 October 1983	16 August 1984	320 days	Bihar	Zail Singh
Acting	Satish Chandra		16 August 1984	1 October 1984	46 days	Uttar Pradesh
11.	Uma Shankar Dikshit		1 October 1984	12 August 1986	1 year, 315 days
12.	Saiyid Nurul Hasan		12 August 1986	20 March 1989	2 years, 220 days
13.	T. V. Rajeswar		20 March 1989	7 February 1990	324 days	Tamil Nadu	R. Venkataraman
14.	Saiyid Nurul Hasan		7 February 1990	12 July 1993	3 years, 155 days	Uttar Pradesh
Acting	B. Satyanarayan Reddy		13 July 1993	14 August 1993	32 days	Andhra Pradesh	Shankar Dayal Sharma
15.	K. V. Raghunatha Reddy		14 August 1993	27 April 1998	4 years, 256 days
16.	Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai		27 April 1998	18 May 1999	1 year, 21 days	Uttar Pradesh	K. R. Narayan
17.	Shyamal Kumar Sen		18 May 1999	4 December 1999	200 days	West Bengal
18.	Viren J. Shah		4 December 1999	14 December 2004	5 years, 10 days
19	Gopalkrishna Gandhi		14 December 2004	14 December 2009	5 years, 0 days	Delhi	A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Acting	Devanand Konwar		14 December 2009	23 January 2010	40 days	Assam	Pratibha Patil
20.	M. K. Narayanan		24 January 2010	30 June 2014	4 years, 157 days	Tamil Nadu
Acting	D. Y. Patil[3]		3 July 2014	17 July 2014	14 days	Maharashtra	Pranab Mukherjee
21.	Keshari Nath Tripathi		24 July 2014	29 July 2019	5 years, 5 days	Uttar Pradesh
22.	Jagdeep Dhankhar[4]		30 July 2019	17 July 2022 (Resigned)	2 years, 352 days	Rajasthan	Ram Nath Kovind
Acting	La. Ganesan		18 July 2022	17 November 2022	122 days	Tamil Nadu
23.	C. V. Ananda Bose		18 November 2022	Incumbent	2 years, 128 days	Kerala	Droupadi Murmu

See also

• West Bengal
• Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of states of India