In 1849 the East India Company defeated the Sikh Empire and annexed the Punjab region.

The governor-general of India, Lord Dalhousie, implemented a three-member Board of Administration to govern the province.

[1] The Board of Administration was abolished in 1853 and replaced by the office of chief commissioner.

[2] Following the liquidation of the East India Company and the transfer of its assets to the British Crown, the office of lieutenant-governor was instituted in 1859.

In Pakistan, the first governor of West Punjab was Sir Francis Mudie.