Within the British empire, the Viceroy of India was second in importance only to the Prime Minister. He combined the ceremonial functions of the monarch with the administrative burden of the Prime Minister, and was in many ways successor to the Mughal emperors - a supreme autocrat. Because no agreement could be reached on when Britain would relinquish power, the Viceroy remained the actual head of the government till India gained its independence in 1947. Although the position of Viceroy was an eminent one, politicians of the front rank were often reluctant to take it because it meant distancing oneself from British domestic politics for a fixed period of five years. The only really able men to accept were Curzon and Irwin (Lord Halifax), who were still young; most of the rest were mediocrities, chosen for party loyalty rather than distinction. By contrast, the last two Viceroys were serving officers of the armed forces. Wavell displayed immense patience in his dealings with London and the Indian Congress leaders; Mountbatten was headstrong and impulsive and, though he deplored 'this mad Pakistan', he pushed through the partition which Wavell had steadfastly resisted.
Viceroy provides a fresh interpretation of British-Indian government and politics. It sketches the character and career of each Viceroy and discusses their achievements and shortcomings in the British and Indian setting.
- ISBN10 1850652252
- ISBN13 9781850652250
- Publish Date 31 December 1994
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 22 September 2004
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 256
- Language English