The Governor-General of India was the head of the British administration in India. The office was created in 1773 with the title of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William. Complete authority over all of British India was granted in 1833 and the official became known as the Governor-General of India.
Until 1858, the Governor-General was selected by the Court of Directors of the British East India Company to whom he was responsible. Thereafter he was appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the British government; the secretary of state for India, a member of the Cabinet was responsible for instructing him on the exercise of his powers.