<P> After 1858, the Governor - General (now usually known as the Viceroy) functioned as the chief administrator of India and as the Sovereign's representative . India was divided into numerous provinces, each under the head of a governor, Lieutenant Governor or Chief Commissioner or Administrator . Governors were appointed by the British Government, to whom they were directly responsible; Lieutenant Governors, Chief Commissioners, and Administrators, however, were appointed by and were subordinate to the Viceroy . The Viceroy also oversaw the most powerful princely rulers: the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Maharaja of Mysore, the Maharaja (Scindia) of Gwalior, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and the Gaekwad (Gaekwar) Maharaja of Baroda . The remaining princely rulers were overseen either by the Rajputana Agency and Central India Agency, which were headed by representatives of the Viceroy, or by provincial authorities . </P> <P> The Chamber of Princes was an institution established in 1920 by a Royal Proclamation of King - Emperor George V to provide a forum in which the princely rulers could voice their needs and aspirations to the government . The chamber usually met only once a year, with the Viceroy presiding, but it appointed a Standing Committee, which met more often . </P> <P> Upon independence in August 1947, the title of Viceroy was abolished . The representative of the British Sovereign became known once again as the Governor - General . C. Rajagopalachari became the only Indian Governor - General . However, once India acquired independence, the Governor - General's role became almost entirely ceremonial, with power being exercised on a day - to - day basis by the Indian cabinet . After the nation became a republic in 1950, the President of India continued to perform the same functions . </P> <P> The Governor - General was always advised by a Council on the exercise of his legislative and executive powers . The Governor - General, while exercising many functions, was referred to as the "Governor - General in Council ." </P>

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