Charles Canning (14 December 1812 – 17 June 1862), also known as Viscount Canning and Clemency Canning, was a British statesman and Governor-General of India during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, as well as the first Viceroy of India after the East India Company was transferred to the Crown of Queen Victoria in 1858 after the rebellion was crushed. Canning is credited with ensuring that the administration and most departments of the government functioned normally during the rebellion, and for making major administrative decisions even during the height of the rebellion in 1857, such as establishing the first three modern universities in India, the University of Calcutta, University of Madras, and University of Bombay, based on Wood's despatch. In this article, we will discuss the role of Lord Canning as the Governor-General of India which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Lord Canning

Lord Canning - Background

• Canning was born on December 14, 1812, at Brompton, near London, to George Canning and Joan, Viscountess Canning, the daughter of Major-General John Scott.
• He received his education at Christ Church, Oxford, where he earned a B.A. in 1833 with honors in classics and mathematics.
• In 1836, he was elected to Parliament, standing with the Conservatives in the House of Commons. He was elected to the House of Lords in 1837.
• He served as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and First Commissioner of Woods and Forests, among other positions.
• When Lord Dalhousie's resignation from the governor-generalship of India opened up in July 1855, Lord Canning was serving as Postmaster-General. On February 28, 1856, he was appointed Governor-General of India.
• He pursued a strategy of reconciliation with the Indian princes, unlike some of his predecessors.
• But, the resentment that had started brewing among the Indians during the time of Lord Dalhousie due to his authoritarian dealings including the much-hated and unjust Doctrine of Lapse blew into an all-out rebellion against the British during Canning’s tenure as Governor-General.
• During Canning's reign in India, the Revolt of 1857 occurred. He forfeited the province's lands during the insurrection at Oudh, which angered many British people at the time.
• Following the uprising, the Company relinquished control of British India to the British Crown. This was codified in the Government of India Act of 1858.
• Lord Canning became the first Viceroy and Governor-General of India as a result of this Act.
• As Viceroy, he abolished the Doctrine of Lapse and declared that no new territories would be established. This decision was made because the rebellion was sparked by discontent among Indian princes who had been stripped of their kingdoms, among other things.
• The Imperial Legislative Council replaced the Viceroy's council. Different members of this council were in charge of different departments, such as finance, law, and defense. This was dubbed the 'Canning business model.'
• Earl Canning was bestowed upon him in 1859.
• The Indian Councils Act of 1861, the Indian Civil Services Act of 1861, the Indian High Courts Act of 1861, and the Indian Penal Code of 1862 were all passed during his term.
• Except for covenant civil service, which was reserved for the British, the Indian Civil Services Act allowed both Indians and British citizens to be appointed to any of the offices.
• During his reign in India, he enacted the income tax.
• Canning also implemented improvements in agriculture and the army.

Reforms under Governor-General of India (Lord Canning)

• Canning signed the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856, which had been drafted before the rebellion by his predecessor, Lord Dalhousie.
• In addition, he enacted the General Service Enlistment Act of 1856. Following the rebellion, he presided over a smooth transfer and reorganization of government from the East India Company to the Crown.
• The Indian Penal Code was drafted in 1860 based on Macaulay's code and went into effect in 1862.
• According to his biographer, Canning handled the rebellion "with firmness, confidence, magnanimity, and calm." Canning was tough during the rebellion, but afterward, he prioritized reconciliation and reconstruction over retribution and issued a clemency proclamation.

Lord Canning as Viceroy of India

• The Revolt of 1857 was the outcome of long-simmering tensions over British presence and policy in India.
• Despite feeling unprepared for the task, Canning rose to the occasion, surviving the storm and retaining British India's colonial hold via sound judgment and a quick hand.
• When the uprising was put down, he adopted a policy of leniency, not punishing the sepoys who had dissolved and dispersed to their villages when commanded to do so during the rebellion.
• Because British popular opinion at the time advocated for collective and indiscriminate reprisals on the local populace, his opponents mocked him as 'Clemency Canning.'
• While a rebellion was underway in Oudh, he issued a proclamation declaring the province's lands forfeited, which sparked widespread outrage.
• Lord Ellenborough, then a member of the Derby administration, sent Canning a secret despatch in arrogant and disrespectful language, which would have justified the Governor-General in quitting immediately.
• He remained at his post, though, out of a strong sense of duty. Lord Canning responded calmly and statesmanlike to the message, explaining and defending his criticized approach, and in 1858 he has appointed the first Viceroy of India.
• Canning wanted to make a photographic census of the Indian people before the insurrection, mostly for their own private collection.
• However, as a result of the insurrection, the project became an official government study, after which it was viewed as helpful documentation in the endeavor to learn more about local people and thus better understand them.
• The outcome was an eight-volume opus titled The People of India, which was published between 1868 and 1875.

Important Events under Lord Canning

• The doctrine of lapse was abolished. From subordinate isolation to the subordinate union, the policy toward Indian states shifted.
• Indigo Revolts took place between 1859 and 1860.
• In 1859, European troops revolted against the whites.
• Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay each got their own university.
• The Indian Council Act of 1861 was enacted. Following the act, the imperial legislative council was established.
• The Indian High Court Act of 1861 ushered in judicial reforms and restructured the police force.
• The Indian Police Act of 1861 was enacted as a result of the Police Commission's recommendations.
• The Indian Civil Services Act of 1861 theoretically allowed all disciplines to apply, but exams were only held in London.
• Satyendra Nath Tagore was the first Indian to be admitted to the Civil Service in 1863.
• The Indian Council Act of 1861 established the cabinet portfolio system.
• A forest department was created to maximize the use of forest resources.
• In 1856, the General Service Enlistment Act was passed.
• On November 1, 1858, at a durbar in Allahabad, the Queen's Proclamation was issued, under which the British monarch assumed direct responsibility for the government of the country.
• The Princes' ability to adopt their heirs was restored by the proclamation.
• The Bengal Rent Act remedies some of the Permanent Settlement's flaws.

Conclusion

Both Houses of Parliament thanked him for his outstanding efforts during the revolt in April 1859. In May of the same year, he was elevated to the title of Earl Canning and made an extra civil grand cross of the Order of the Bath. His health and strength had been gravely harmed by the strain of concern and hard work, and the death of his wife had come as a great shock to him; in the hope that repose in his own land might restore him, he departed India, arriving in England in April 1862. However, it was too late. On June 17th, he died in London. He was made a Knight of the Garter about a month before his death.

FAQs

MCQs

1. During whose tenure as Governor-General did the Revolt of 1857 take place?

A) Lord Dalhousie
B) Lord Canning
C) Lord Curzon
D) Lord Ripon

2. What significant change occurred in 1858 during Lord Canning’s administration?

A) Abolition of the Indian Civil Service
B) Transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown
C) Establishment of the Indian National Congress
D) Introduction of the Vernacular Press Act

3. Who was the first Viceroy of India?

A) Lord Dalhousie
B) Lord Curzon
C) Lord Canning
D) Lord Wellesley

4. What document was issued in 1858 to assure the Indian princes and people after the revolt?

A) Queen’s Proclamation
B) Indian Independence Act
C) Indian Councils Act
D) Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms

5. What was one of the lasting legacies of Lord Canning’s administration?

A) Introduction of the Indian National Army
B) Formation of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
C) Abolition of the zamindari system
D) Introduction of the Indian Railways

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the challenges faced by Lord Canning during the Revolt of 1857 and how he managed the situation.

Answer: Lord Canning faced significant challenges during the Revolt of 1857, the first large-scale uprising against British rule in India. His administration had to deal with widespread rebellion across northern and central India. Canning managed the revolt by remaining calm under pressure and strategically using British military force to quell the rebellion. He also employed diplomacy, offering amnesty to rebels who had not committed murder, and ensuring the loyalty of Indian princes by promising non-interference in their internal affairs through the Queen’s Proclamation of 1858. His balanced approach helped stabilize British rule in India, paving the way for direct Crown rule.

Q2: Analyze the impact of the Government of India Act 1858 on the governance structure of British India.

Answer: The Government of India Act 1858 had a profound impact on the governance structure of British India. It marked the end of the East India Company’s rule and transferred administrative control to the British Crown. The act introduced the office of the Viceroy, with Lord Canning being the first to hold this position, symbolizing direct British rule. The Act also led to the restructuring of the British government’s oversight of India, with the establishment of the Secretary of State for India in Britain to oversee Indian affairs. This shift centralized control and ensured that the British Parliament had a greater say in the administration of India, leading to more direct governance.

Q3: Evaluate Lord Canning’s role in the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857 and his contribution to the consolidation of British power in India.

Answer: Lord Canning played a crucial role in consolidating British power in India after the Revolt of 1857. Following the suppression of the revolt, Canning introduced a series of reforms aimed at stabilizing British rule. The Queen’s Proclamation of 1858, which he oversaw, was instrumental in placating Indian rulers and the population by promising religious freedom and non-interference in the affairs of the princely states. Canning also granted amnesty to many rebels, promoting reconciliation. His leadership during this critical period helped prevent further uprisings and facilitated the transition to direct Crown rule, ensuring that British control over India was stronger and more centralized than before.

Previous Year Questions on Lord Canning

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 1)

Question: The Revolt of 1857 was a significant event in Indian history. Evaluate the role of Lord Canning in managing the revolt and its aftermath.

Answer: Lord Canning’s role during the Revolt of 1857 was crucial for the British Empire’s ability to maintain control over India. As the Governor-General, he remained calm and composed, opting for a strategy that combined military action with diplomatic measures. He swiftly took control of rebellious regions while also issuing the Queen's Proclamation of 1858, which assured Indians that their religious practices would be respected and granted amnesty to rebels not directly involved in violent acts. This approach helped to pacify the population and restore stability. Canning's decisions laid the foundation for the Government of India Act 1858, which transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown, thus consolidating British power in India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Analyze the significance of the Government of India Act 1858 and Lord Canning’s contribution to the administration of India in the post-1857 period.

Answer: The Government of India Act 1858 was a turning point in the administration of India. It marked the end of the East India Company’s rule and transferred governance to the British Crown. Lord Canning, as the first Viceroy of India, played a key role in this transition. His leadership in the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857 ensured that British power was reasserted in India, with the new governance structure centralizing authority under the Crown. Canning’s policies, including the Queen's Proclamation, assured Indian princes of their status and religious non-interference, preventing further unrest. His role in stabilizing the political environment post-rebellion helped solidify British control, making him a significant figure in this critical period of Indian history.