Question

Who became the first Viceroy of India under the Act of 1858?

Answer 1

Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India under the Government of India act 1858. He became the first Viceroy and Governor-General of India after the East India Company’s rule over British India ended and the reign came directly under the British monarch.

About Lord Canning

• Charles Canning, First Earl Canning birth took place on 14 December 1812 at Brompton, near London.
• Lord Canning graduated as BA at Oxford University in classics and mathematics.
• Before being selected for the post of Governor-General of India he lends his service in various administrative posts in Britain.
• He took the charge as the post of the Governor-General of India on 28 February 1856.
• Unlike some of his predecessors, he also followed a policy of reconciliation with the Indian princes.
• The Revolt of 1857 took place during Canning’s rule of India.
• During the rebellion at Oudh, he surrendered the lands of the province, angering many British people at that time.
• After the rebellion, the reign of British India moved on from the Company to the British Crown.
• The Government of India Act 1858 was passed to this effect and this act made Lord Canning the first Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
• As Viceroy, he eliminated the Doctrine of Lapse and also indicated that there would be no further extension of territories. This decision was made because the mutiny was caused due to, among other factors, resentment among the Indian princes who were deprived of their kingdoms.
  The Viceroy’s council was now the Imperial Legislative Council. This council comprised of members of various streams like finance, law, defence, etc and the council was remembered as ‘Canning model of business’.
• In 1859, he was referred to as Earl Canning.
• During his ruling period, the Indian Councils Act, 1861; the Indian Civil Services Act 1861; the Indian High Courts Act, 1861; and the Indian Penal Code, 1862 were passed.
• The Indian Civil Services Act mentioned that both Indians and British were eligible for appointment to any of the offices except covenanted civil service which was reserved for the British.
• The income tax was introduced and commenced during his rule over India.
• Canning also initiated some reforms in the agriculture and army.
• He was popularly nicknamed as Clemency Canning by the British for his policy of toleration towards Indians after the revolt of 1857.
• He left office of India in March 1862 and returned to England and expired in June 1862.
• He was succeeded and called as Viceroy by the Earl of Elgin.