15 August 1947 is a golden day in the annals of Indian history, and is a day all Indians are proud of. That is the day India finally became a sovereign entity after centuries of colonization by the British. Immediately after independence, however, India did not have its own Constitution. The Constituent Assembly was set up under the leadership of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar for the express purpose of drafting the Constitution. Until that happened, it was decided that there would temporarily be a Governor-General in place. The first Governor-General of independent India was, ironically, a British man, the much decorated Lord Mountbatten. Lord Mountbatten was incidentally also the last viceroy of India under British rule.
Lord Mountbatten did not remain the Governor-General for long, however, and handed over the designation to Dr. C. Rajagopalachari. Dr. Rajagopalachari remained India's Governor-General until the Constitution was approved and came into existence on 26 January 1950. Once the constitution came into being, the post of Governor-General was done away with and replaced by the President. The first President of independent India was Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Thus, Dr. Rajagopalachari was the only Governor-General of Indian origin ever, though Lord Mountbatten has the distinction of being the first Governor-General of independent India.
Lord Mountbatten did not remain the Governor-General for long, however, and handed over the designation to Dr. C. Rajagopalachari. Dr. Rajagopalachari remained India's Governor-General until the Constitution was approved and came into existence on 26 January 1950. Once the constitution came into being, the post of Governor-General was done away with and replaced by the President. The first President of independent India was Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Thus, Dr. Rajagopalachari was the only Governor-General of Indian origin ever, though Lord Mountbatten has the distinction of being the first Governor-General of independent India.