Who was the British Governor General of India during the Revolt of 1857 ?

The correct answer is Lord Canning.

Key Points

• Lord Canning served as the Governor-General of India from 1856 to 1862.
• He was the Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Independence.
• Lord Canning is remembered for his moderate policy and efforts to suppress the revolt while ensuring the transition of power to the British Crown.
• Post-1858, after the Government of India Act, Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India.

Additional Information

• Lord Dalhousie: Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General of India before Lord Canning, from 1848 to 1856. He is known for implementing the Doctrine of Lapse, which became one of the causes of the Revolt of 1857. Under this policy, Indian princely states without a male heir were annexed by the British. Prominent annexations include Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur.
• Lord Elgin: Lord Elgin served as the Governor-General and Viceroy of India from 1862 to 1863. His tenure followed the revolt, and he focused on consolidating British control over India and improving administrative structures.
• Lord Lytton: Lord Lytton served as the Viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880. He is known for organizing the Delhi Durbar of 1877, which declared Queen Victoria as the Empress of India. His tenure is also remembered for the controversial Vernacular Press Act of 1878 and the famine of 1876-78.
• Revolt of 1857: This was a widespread uprising against British rule, triggered by various political, economic, social, and military grievances. It marked a turning point in Indian history, leading to the end of East India Company rule and the beginning of direct rule by the British Crown.