View source for Commander-in-Chief, India

{{short description|Supreme commander of the Indian Army before 1950}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                     = Commander-in-Chief, India
| body                     = 
| insignia                 = 
| insigniasize             = 
| insigniacaption          = 
| flag                     = 
| flagsize                 = 
| flagborder               = 
| flagcaption              = 
| image                    = Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings by Hugh Douglas Hamilton.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| alt                      = 
| imagecaption             = '''Longest serving<br>[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings|The Earl of Moira]]'''<br>October 1813 – January 1823
| department               = {{army|British India}}
| style                    = 
| type                     = 
| status                   = Senior-most [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] of the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]]
| abbreviation             = 
| member_of                = 
| reports_to               = [[Governor-General of India]]
| residence                = [[Teen Murti Bhavan|Flagstaff House]]
| seat                     = [[GHQ India]]
| nominator                = 
| appointer                = 
| appointer_qualified      = 
| termlength               = No fixed term
| termlength_qualified     = 
| constituting_instrument  = 
| precursor                = 
| formation                = 
| first                    = [[Major general (United Kingdom)|Major general]] [[Stringer Lawrence]]{{cn|date=March 2024}}
| last                     = [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|FM]] [[Claude Auchinleck|Sir Claude Auchinleck]]
| abolished                = 15 August 1947
| succession               = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Commanders-in-Chief of the Indian Army]] and [[Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army|Pakistan Army]]
| unofficial_names         = Commander-in-Chief ''in'' or ''of'' India
| deputy                   = 
| salary                   = 
| website                  = 
}}

During the period of the [[Company rule in India|Company]] and [[British Raj|Crown]] rule in [[India]], the '''Commander-in-Chief, India''' (often "Commander-in-Chief ''in'' or ''of'' India") was the supreme commander of the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]] from 1833 to 1947. The [[Commander-in-Chief]] and most of his [[Staff (military)|staff]] were based at [[India Command|GHQ India]], and liaised with the civilian [[Governor-General of India]]. Following the [[Partition of India]] in 1947 and the creation of the independent dominions of [[Dominion of India|India]] and [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]], the post was abolished. It was briefly replaced by the position of Supreme Commander of India and Pakistan before the role was abolished in November 1948.<ref>Warner (1982), p. 269</ref> Subsequently, the role of Commander-in-Chief was merged into the offices of the Commanders-in-Chief of the independent [[Indian Army]] and [[Pakistan Army]], respectively, before becoming part of the office of the [[President of India]] from 1950 and of the [[Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army]] from 1947.

Prior to independence, the official residence was the '''Flagstaff House''', which later became the residence of the [[Jawaharlal Nehru|first Prime Minister of India]]; as [[Teen Murti Bhavan]] (Teen Murti House), it is now a museum.

This is a list of people who were the military Commander-in-Chief, India until 1947. The rank and title are the final ones for the officer's career and not necessarily applicable to his tenure as Commander-in-Chief in India.

P.R. Cadell wrote an article correcting and elaborating on the early commanders-in-chief of the [[East India Company]]'s forces in the ''Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research'' in 1944.{{sfn|Cadell|1944}}

==List of Commanders-in-Chief==
Commanders-in-Chief have been:<ref>[http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf Army Commands] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705211343/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf |date=July 5, 2015 }}</ref>

† denotes people who died in office.

===Commanders-in-Chief of India, 1801–1857===

{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Commander-in-Chief
| showtermlenght     = y
| showparty          = n
| showdefencebranch  = n
| showaltofficeholder    = y
| alt_officeholder_title = Notes
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = James Henry Craig 1806.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[James Henry Craig|Sir James Craig]]
| officeholder_sort = Craig, James
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1748
| died_year         = 1812
| term_start        = February 1801
| term_end          = March 1801
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1801|02|01|1801|03|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Officiating.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = Gerard Lake.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Gerard Lake, 1st Viscount Lake|Gerard Lake]]
| officeholder_sort = Lake, Gerald
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1744
| died_year         = 1808
| term_start        = March 1801
| term_end          = July 1805
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1801|03|01|1805|07|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Conducted a campaign with a string of victories that gave the British control of Northern India, Delhi and the Mughal emperor but failed to take Bhurtpore. Improved the Indian Army by making all arms, infantry, cavalry and artillery, more mobile and more manageable.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| image             = First Marquis of Cornwallis.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis|The Earl Cornwallis]]
| officeholder_sort = Cornwallis, Charles
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1738
| died_year         = 1805
| term_start        = July 1805
| term_end          = October 1805
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1805|07|01|1805|10|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Reappointment. With [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Sir Arthur Wellesley]], he supervised the [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]] against the [[Sindhia]] and the [[House of Holkar|Holkar]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (2)
| image             = Gerard Lake.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Gerard Lake, 1st Viscount Lake|The Lord Lake]]
| officeholder_sort = Lake, Gerald
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1744
| died_year         = 1808
| term_start        = October 1805
| term_end          = 1806
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1805|1806}} years
| alt_officeholder  = Reappointment following the death of Cornwallis' successor [[John Graves Simcoe]]. Upon Cornwallis' death, Lake pursued the [[House of Holkar|Holkar]] to the [[Punjab region|Punjab]]. The Holkar capitulated at [[Amritsar]] in December 1805.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| image             = ColonelSimcoe.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[John Graves Simcoe|John Simcoe]]
| officeholder_sort = Simcoe, John
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1752
| died_year         = 1806
| died              = y
| term_start        = 1806
| term_end          = 26 October 1806
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1806|1806}} years
| alt_officeholder  = Appointed to post in [[England]] in late 1805, but died before departing for India and replaced by Lake.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (2)
| image             = Gerard Lake.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Gerard Lake, 1st Viscount Lake|The Lord Lake]]
| officeholder_sort = Lake, Gerald
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1744
| died_year         = 1808
| term_start        = 1806
| term_end          = October 1807
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1806|1807}} years
| alt_officeholder  = Reappointment following death of [[John Graves Simcoe|John Simcoe]], who died after accepting the appointment in England.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| image             =
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[George Hewett (British Army officer)|Sir George Hewett]]
| officeholder_sort = Hewett, George
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1750
| died_year         = 1840
| term_start        = October 1807
| term_end          = December 1807
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1807|10|01|1807|12|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Transformed [[Meerut]] into a British stronghold that became a launching point for future military campaigns into northern India.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| image             =
| military_rank     = Lieutenant general
| officeholder      = [[Forbes Champagné]]
| officeholder_sort = Champagné, Forbes
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1754
| died_year         = 1816
| term_start        = December 1807
| term_end          = January 1811
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1807|12|01|1811|01|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Officiating.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| image             = Georgenugent.gif
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Sir George Nugent, 1st Baronet|Sir George Nugent]]
| officeholder_sort = Nugent, George
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1757
| died_year         = 1849
| term_start        = January 1811
| term_end          = October 1813
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1811|01|01|1813|10|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| image             = Lord Moira.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings|The Earl of Moira]]
| officeholder_sort = Hastings, Francis
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1754
| died_year         = 1826
| term_start        = October 1813
| term_end          = January 1823
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1813|10|01|1823|01|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Marquess of Hastings|1st Marquess of Hastings]] from 1816; Oversaw British forces in the [[Gurkha War]]; [[Third Anglo-Maratha War|conquered]] the [[Maratha]]s; repaired the [[Mughal Empire|Mogul]] canals in [[Delhi]]; instituted educational reforms.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| image             = Sir Edward Paget by Martin Archer Shee 1810.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Edward Paget|Sir Edward Paget]]
| officeholder_sort = Paget, Edward
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1775
| died_year         = 1849
| term_start        = January 1823
| term_end          = October 1825
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1823|01|01|1825|10|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| image             = Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere by Mary Martha Pearson (née Dutton).jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere|The Lord Combermere]]
| officeholder_sort = Cotton, Stapleton
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1773
| died_year         = 1865
| term_start        = October 1825
| term_end          = January 1830
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1825|10|01|1830|01|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Viscount Combermere|1st Viscount Combermere]] from 1827. Captured Bhurtpore (which Lake had failed to do) in 1824.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| image             = GG-George Ramsay.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie|The Earl of Dalhousie]]
| officeholder_sort = Ramsay, George
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1770
| died_year         = 1838
| term_start        = January 1830
| term_end          = January 1832
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1830|01|01|1832|01|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Began the British suppression of the ''[[Thuggee]]'' murder-cults.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| image             = Sir Edward Barnes by William Salter.jpg
| military_rank     = Lieutenant general
| officeholder      = [[Edward Barnes (British Army officer)|Sir Edward Barnes]]
| officeholder_sort = Barnes, Edward
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1776
| died_year         = 1838
| term_start        = January 1832
| term_end          = October 1833
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1832|01|01|1833|10|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Constructed the military road between [[Colombo]] and [[Kandy]], made the first census of the population, and introduced coffee cultivation.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| image             = Bentinck william.png
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Lord William Bentinck]]
| officeholder_sort = Bentinck, William
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1774
| died_year         = 1839
| term_start        = October 1833
| term_end          = March 1835
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1833|10|01|1835|03|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Suppressed the [[Hindu]] custom of ''[[Sati (practice)|sati]]''. Reappointed in April 1834.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| image             = Sir James Watson.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[James Watson (British Army officer)|Sir James Watson]]
| officeholder_sort = Watson, James
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1772
| died_year         = 1862
| term_start        = March 1835
| term_end          = September 1835
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1835|03|01|1835|09|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Established the famous police organisation known as the "[[Thuggee]] and [[Dacoity]] Department" within the [[Government of India]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 15
| image             = Sir Henry Fane.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Henry Fane (British Army officer)|Sir Henry Fane]]
| officeholder_sort = Fane, Henry
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1778
| died_year         = 1840
| term_start        = September 1835
| term_end          = December 1839
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1835|09|01|1839|12|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 16
| image             = Sir Jasper Nicolls.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Jasper Nicolls|Sir Jasper Nicolls]]
| officeholder_sort = Nicholls, Jasper
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1778
| died_year         = 1849
| term_start        = December 1839
| term_end          = August 1843
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1839|12|01|1843|08|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Officiating.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 17
| image             = Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough, 1850.png
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough|Hugh Gough]]
| officeholder_sort = Gough, Hugh
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1779
| died_year         = 1869
| term_start        = August 1843
| term_end          = May 1849
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1843|08|01|1849|05|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Viscount Gough|1st Baron Gough]] from 1846; Defeated the [[Maratha Empire|Mahrattas]] at [[Gwalior campaign#Battle of Maharajpur|Maharajpur]]. Conducted operations against the [[Sikh]]s and won the battles of [[Battle of Mudki|Mudki]], [[Battle of Ferozeshah|Ferozeshah]] and [[Battle of Sobraon|Sobraon]]. Soon after, the Sikhs surrendered at [[Lahore]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 18
| image             = Charles James Napier by William Edward Kilburn, 1849-crop.png
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Charles James Napier|Sir Charles James Napier]]
| officeholder_sort = Napier, Charles
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1782
| died_year         = 1853
| term_start        = May 1849
| term_end          = December 1851
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1849|05|01|1851|12|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = Conquered [[Sindh]] and made it part of [[Bombay Presidency]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 19
| image             = Sir William Maynard Gomm by William Salter.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[William Maynard Gomm|Sir William Gomm]]
| officeholder_sort = Gomm, William
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1784
| died_year         = 1875
| term_start        = December 1851
| term_end          = January 1856
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1851|12|01|1856|01|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 20
| image             = George Anson (1797-1857).png
| military_rank     = Major general
| officeholder      = [[George Anson (British Army officer, born 1797)|George Anson]]
| officeholder_sort = Anson, George
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1797
| died_year         = 1857
| died              = y
| term_start        = January 1856
| term_end          = 27 May 1857
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1856|01|01|1857|05|27}}
| alt_officeholder  = Outbreak of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. Died of cholera during his march against the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]] at [[Delhi]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 21
| image             = Patrick Grant.jpg
| military_rank     = Lieutenant general
| officeholder      = [[Patrick Grant (Indian Army officer)|Sir Patrick Grant]]
| officeholder_sort = Grant, Patrick
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1804
| died_year         = 1895
| term_start        = June 1857
| term_end          = August 1857
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1857|06|01|1857|08|27}}
| alt_officeholder  = Directed operations against the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]], sending forces under [[Henry Havelock|Havelock]] and [[Sir James Outram, 1st Baronet|Outram]] for the relief of [[Cawnpore]] and [[Lucknow]], until the arrival of [[Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde|Sir Colin Campbell]] from England.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 22
| image             = Lord-clyde.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde|Sir Colin Campbell]]
| officeholder_sort = Campbell, Colin
| officeholder_note =
| born_year         = 1792
| died_year         = 1863
| term_start        = August 1857
| term_end          = 4 June 1861
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and months|1857|08|01|1861|06|04}}
| alt_officeholder  = 1st Baron Clyde from 1858; Abandoned then recaptured [[Lucknow]]. Supervised military operations in [[Oudh]] until the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]] had been subdued.
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}

===Commanders-in-Chief of India, 1861–1947===

{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Commander-in-Chief
| showtermlenght     = y
| showparty          = n
| showdefencebranch  = n
| showaltofficeholder    = y
| alt_officeholder_title = Notes
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = Hugh Henry Rose, 1st Baron Strathnairn.png
| military_rank     = Lieutenant general
| officeholder      = [[Hugh Rose, 1st Baron Strathnairn|Sir Hugh Rose]]
| officeholder_sort = Rose, Hugh
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1801
| died_year         = 1885
| term_start        = 4 June 1861
| term_end          = 23 March 1865
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1861|06|04|1865|03|23}}
| alt_officeholder  = Improved discipline and enabled the amalgamation of the [[East India Company]]'s army into the Queen's army to be carried out.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = Lordsandhurst caricature.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[William Mansfield, 1st Baron Sandhurst|Sir William Mansfield]]
| officeholder_sort = Mansfield, William
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1819
| died_year         = 1876
| term_start        = 23 March 1865
| term_end          = 9 April 1870
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1865|03|23|1870|04|09}}
| alt_officeholder  = Prior to his appointment, Mansfield served in the [[Sutlej|Sutlej campaign]], commanded the 53rd Regiment in the [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab]], and was part of [[Peshawar]] operations in the [[North-West Frontier Province (1901–1955)|northwest frontier]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| image             = Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala portrait photograph by John Watkins.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Robert Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala|The Lord Napier of Magdala]]
| officeholder_sort = Napier, Robert
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1810
| died_year         = 1890
| term_start        = 9 April 1870
| term_end          = 10 April 1876
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1870|04|09|1876|04|10}}
| alt_officeholder  = He did much to benefit the army and to encourage good shooting.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| image             = Frederick Haines.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Frederick Haines|Sir Frederick Haines]]
| officeholder_sort = Haines, Frederick
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1819
| died_year         = 1909
| term_start        = 10 April 1876
| term_end          = 8 April 1881
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1876|04|10|1881|04|08}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| image             = Donald Martin Stewart.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Sir Donald Stewart, 1st Baronet|Sir Donald Stewart]]
| officeholder_sort = Stewart, Donald
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1824
| died_year         = 1900
| term_start        = 8 April 1881
| term_end          = 28 November 1885
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1881|04|08|1885|11|28}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| image             = General Lord Roberts AKA "Bobs" (25136980491).jpg
| military_rank     = Lieutenant general
| officeholder      = [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Sir Frederick Roberts]]
| officeholder_sort = Roberts, Frederick
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1832
| died_year         = 1914
| term_start        = 28 November 1885
| term_end          = 8 April 1893
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1885|11|28|1893|04|08}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Earl Roberts|1st Baron Roberts of Kandahar]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| image             = George Stewart White-001.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[George White (British Army officer)|Sir George White]]
| officeholder_sort = White, George
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1835
| died_year         = 1912
| term_start        = 8 April 1893
| term_end          = 20 March 1898
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1893|04|08|1898|03|20}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| image             = 
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Charles Edward Nairne|Sir Charles Nairne]]
| officeholder_sort = Nairne, Charles
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1836
| died_year         = 1899
| term_start        = 20 March 1898
| term_end          = 4 November 1898
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1898|03|20|1898|11|04}}
| alt_officeholder  = Officiating.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| image             = William Lockhart d1900.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[William Lockhart (Indian Army officer)|Sir William Lockhart]]
| officeholder_sort = Lockhart, William
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1841
| died_year         = 1900
| died              = y
| term_start        = 4 November 1898
| term_end          = 18 March 1900
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1898|11|04|1900|03|18}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| image             = Arthurppalmer.png
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Arthur Power Palmer|Sir Arthur Palmer]]
| officeholder_sort = Palmer, Arthur
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1840
| died_year         = 1904
| term_start        = 19 March 1900<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=27299 |date=26 March 1901 |page=2114}}</ref>
| term_end          = 28 November 1902
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1900|03|19|1902|11|28}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| image             = Horatio Herbert Kitchener (cropped).jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|The Viscount Kitchener]]
| officeholder_sort = Kitchener, Herbert
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1850
| died_year         = 1916
| term_start        = 28 November 1902<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=27515 |date=13 January 1903 |page=237 }}</ref>
| term_end          = 10 September 1909
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1902|11|28|1909|09|10}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Kitchener Reforms|Reconstructed]] the disorganised [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]], but quarreled with the Viceroy [[George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]], who resigned.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| image             = General O'Moore Creagh, VC, Colonel of 129th Baluchis, 1912 copyv.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[O'Moore Creagh|Sir O'Moore Creagh]]
| officeholder_sort = Creagh, O'Moore
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1848
| died_year         = 1923
| term_start        = 10 September 1909
| term_end          = 8 March 1914
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1909|09|10|1914|03|08}}
| alt_officeholder  = [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Douglas Haig]], then a lieutenant general, served as [[Chief of the General Staff (India)]] in 1909–12.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| image             = Gen. Sir Beauchamp Duff (LOC).jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Beauchamp Duff|Sir Beauchamp Duff]]
| officeholder_sort = Duff, Beauchamp
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1855
| died_year         = 1918
| term_start        = 8 March 1914
| term_end          = 1 October 1916
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1914|03|08|1916|10|01}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| image             = Charlesmonroe.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Sir Charles Monro, 1st Baronet|Sir Charles Monro]]
| officeholder_sort = Monro, Charles
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1860
| died_year         = 1929
| term_start        = 1 October 1916
| term_end          = 21 November 1920
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1916|10|01|1920|11|21}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 15
| image             = Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baron Rawlinson in 1916.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baron Rawlinson|The Lord Rawlinson]]
| officeholder_sort = Rawlinson, Henry
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1864
| died_year         = 1925
| died              = y
| term_start        = 21 November 1920
| term_end          = 28 March 1925
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1920|11|21|1925|03|28}}
| alt_officeholder  = Former GOC, [[Fourth Army (United Kingdom)|British Fourth Army]] on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 16
| image             = LtGen Claud William Jacob.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Claud Jacob|Sir Claud Jacob]]
| officeholder_sort = Jacob, Claud
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1863
| died_year         = 1948
| term_start        = 3 April 1925
| term_end          = 6 August 1925
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1925|04|03|1925|08|06}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 17
| image             = William Birdwood.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[William Birdwood|The Lord Birdwood]]
| officeholder_sort = Birdwood, William
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1865
| died_year         = 1951
| term_start        = 6 August 1925
| term_end          = 30 November 1930
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1925|08|06|1930|11|30}}
| alt_officeholder  = Distinguished commander of [[Australian and New Zealand Army Corps|ANZAC]] troops on [[Gallipoli campaign|Gallipoli]] and the Western Front.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 18
| image             = General Sir Philip Chetwode.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Philip Chetwode, 1st Baron Chetwode|The Lord Chetwode]]
| officeholder_sort = Chetwode, Philip
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1869
| died_year         = 1950
| term_start        = 30 November 1930
| term_end          = 30 November 1935
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years|1930|11|30|1935|11|30}} years
| alt_officeholder  = The [[Indian Military Academy]] was established during his tenure.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 19
| image             = 
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Robert Cassels|Sir Robert Cassels]]
| officeholder_sort = Cassels, Robert
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1876
| died_year         = 1959
| term_start        = 30 November 1935
| term_end          = 27 January 1941
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1935|11|30|1941|01|27}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 20
| image             = Cecil Beaton Photographs- Political and Military Personalities; Auchinleck, Claude John Eyre IB2095 (cropped).jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Claude Auchinleck|Sir Claude Auchinleck]]
| officeholder_sort = Auchinleck, Claude
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1884
| died_year         = 1981
| term_start        = 27 January 1941
| term_end          = 5 July 1941
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1941|01|27|1941|07|05}}
| alt_officeholder  = Left to take command of the [[Middle East Command]] (swapped jobs with [[Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell|Wavell]]).
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 21
| image             = Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell|Sir Archibald Wavell]]
| officeholder_sort = Wavell, Archibald
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1883
| died_year         = 1950
| term_start        = 5 July 1941
| term_end          = 5 January 1942
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1941|07|05|1942|01|05}}
| alt_officeholder  = Left to take command of the short lived [[American-British-Dutch-Australian Command|ABDACOM]]; later became [[Viceroy of India|Viceroy]].
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 22
| image             = 
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Alan Hartley|Sir Alan Hartley]]
| officeholder_sort = Hartley, Alan
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1882
| died_year         = 1954
| term_start        = 5 January 1942
| term_end          = 7 March 1942
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1942|01|05|1942|03|07}}
| alt_officeholder  = –
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (21)
| image             = Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell.jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell|Sir Archibald Wavell]]
| officeholder_sort = Wavell, Archibald
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1883
| died_year         = 1950
| term_start        = 7 March 1942
| term_end          = 20 June 1943
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1942|03|07|1943|06|20}}
| alt_officeholder  = Reappointment. Sir Alan Hartley appointed Deputy C-in-C, India.
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (20)
| image             = Cecil Beaton Photographs- Political and Military Personalities; Auchinleck, Claude John Eyre IB2095 (cropped).jpg
| military_rank     = Field Marshal
| officeholder      = [[Claude Auchinleck|Sir Claude Auchinleck]]
| officeholder_sort = Auchinleck, Claude
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1884
| died_year         = 1981
| term_start        = 20 June 1943
| term_end          = 15 August 1947
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1943|06|20|1947|08|15}}
| alt_officeholder  = Served as the last C-in-C, India. Reappointed 15 August 1947, and became Supreme Commander of [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]. Oversaw division of the Armed forces between the two new countries. Served in this capacity until November 1948, when the role of Supreme Commander was abolished.
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}

==See also==
*[[Secretary of State for India]]
*[[Governor-General of India]]
*[[Chief of the General Staff (India)|Chief of the General Staff]]
*[[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]
*[[Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{cite journal|last=Cadell|first=P. R.|title=Commanders-in-Chief of the Indian Army|journal=Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research|date=1944|volume=22|number=90|pages=220–222|jstor=44228345 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44228345}} (Summer 1944)
*{{cite book| last=Warner| first=Philip| author-link=Philip Warner| title=Auchinleck. The Lonely Soldier| publisher=Sphere Books| year=1982| orig-date=1981| location=London| isbn=0-7221-8905-2}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040816231827/http://www.regiments.org/biography/defchiefs/inCinC.htm Chronological List of Commanders-in-Chief, India to 1947]
* Bharat Rakshak, {{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Personnel/Chiefs/236-Pre47-Cincs.html|title=Commanders-in-Chief|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219003238/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Personnel/Chiefs/236-Pre47-Cincs.html|archive-date=2012-02-19|date= }} Land Forces

{{Commander-in-Chief, India}}
{{India topics}}

[[Category:British military commanders in chief]]
[[Category:Government of British India]]
[[Category:Military history of British India]]
[[Category:1748 establishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:1947 disestablishments in the British Empire]]