Lord Lytton

During Lytton's tenure, a severe famine struck southern India, particularly the Madras Presidency and Mysore, from 1876 to 1878. The famine caused an estimated 5 to 10 million deaths. Lytton's government was criticized for inadequate relief efforts and for continuing to export grain while people starved.

Lytton organized the Delhi Durbar in 1877 to proclaim Queen Victoria as Empress of India. The grand ceremony was intended to assert British imperial authority and loyalty among Indian princes. However, it was criticized for its extravagance during a time of severe famine in southern India.

Lord Lytton, as Viceroy of India, initiated the Second Anglo-Afghan War in 1878 to counter Russian influence in Afghanistan. British forces invaded Afghanistan, leading to the Treaty of Gandamak in 1879, which gave Britain control over Afghan foreign affairs. The war was costly and controversial, and British forces later withdrew after a rebellion in Kabul.

Lytton enacted the Vernacular Press Act in 1878, which imposed strict censorship on Indian-language newspapers. The act allowed the government to confiscate presses and punish editors for publishing 'seditious' material. It was widely criticized as repressive and was repealed in 1881 by Lytton's successor.