Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi, Civil Servant, Governor
Civil Servant, Governor

Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi

Born 2 July 1893 · Gujarat — Died 14 March 1980

First Indian Governor of Punjab after Independence and first Governor of Andhra Pradesh from 1953 to 1957.

Sir Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi was an Indian administrator and civil servant who served as the first Indian governor of the state of Punjab after Independence in 1947. He subsequently served as the first Governor of Andhra Pradesh from its creation in 1953 until 1957.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Trivedi was simultaneously the last British-appointed governor of Odisha and the first Indian governor of East Punjab on India’s Independence Day, 15 August 1947.

The Story

1
In 1916, Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi cleared the Indian Civil Service exams and returned to India in December 1917, marking the start of his administrative career in the Central Provinces during British rule.
2
🌍 By April 1946, he became Governor of Odisha, the last British-appointed governor there, governing until India’s Independence on 15 August 1947.
3🔥 On 15 August 1947, he became the first Indian governor of East Punjab amid the chaos of Partition, managing refugee influxes and communication blackouts due to Lahore’s new location in Pakistan.
4From 1950 to 1953, Trivedi served as governor of the renamed Punjab state, navigating early post-independence challenges and rebuilding administrative systems.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1956
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Despite the chaos of Partition in 1947, Trivedi managed East Punjab’s government without offices or direct communication lines, as all telegraph and telephone connections routed through Lahore, now in Pakistan.

🖼️

Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi as the first Governor of Punjab in his official portrait (1947)
Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi as the first Governor of Punjab in his official portrait (1947)
1947
Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi featured in Guntur Patrika publication (1955)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Kapadvanj, Gujarat
Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi was born in Kapadvanj, Kaira District, Bombay Presidency, British India.
1893
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Career
Cleared Indian Civil Service exams
Trivedi passed the ICS exams and was appointed in October 1916, returning to India in December 1917 to begin service.
1916
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Career
Governor of Odisha
Took office as the last British-appointed Governor of Odisha prior to Indian Independence.
1946
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Career
First Indian Governor of East Punjab
Assumed governorship on Independence Day during Partition, facing refugee crises and administrative chaos.
1947
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Career
Governor of Andhra State
Appointed the first governor of the newly created Andhra State, overseeing its initial governance.
1953
⚡
Career
Governor of Andhra Pradesh
Continued as governor when Andhra State merged to form Andhra Pradesh, serving until 1957.
1956
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Career
Member of Planning Commission
Joined India's Planning Commission, influencing early economic policies until 1963.
1957
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Death
Death in Kapadvanj
Passed away at age 86 in his hometown after a long public service career.
1980
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Trivedi was appointed Governor of Odisha in late 1945 but officially took office in April 1946, becoming the last British-appointed governor before India’s independence.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He studied at St John's College, Oxford before returning to India to join the Indian Civil Service in 1917, a rare achievement for Indians under British rule.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

From 1957 to 1963, Trivedi was a member of India's Planning Commission and briefly served as its deputy chairperson, directly impacting India's early economic planning.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Trivedi’s governorship during Punjab’s traumatic partition period helped stabilize one of India's most volatile regions immediately after Independence, setting administrative precedents for refugee rehabilitation. His leadership in Andhra Pradesh’s formation contributed to integrating diverse linguistic and cultural groups into a new state framework. His participation in the Planning Commission also helped shape India’s early post-colonial economic policies.

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