Lord Canning declared Bahadur Shah Zafar II as the last Mughal Emperor.

Background:
- The Mughal Empire was founded in 1526 by Babur and it reached its peak under the reign of Emperor Akbar.
- However, the empire started to decline in the 18th century due to various factors such as invasions, weak rulers, and internal conflicts.

Bahadur Shah Zafar II:
- Bahadur Shah Zafar II was the last emperor of the Mughal Empire. He ascended the throne in 1837 at the age of 62.
- His reign was marked by political instability and the increasing influence of the British East India Company in India.
- The British regarded him as a figurehead without any real political power.

The Revolt of 1857:
- The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence, was a major uprising against British rule in India.
- The rebellion began in Meerut in May 1857 and quickly spread to other parts of India.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar II initially had no direct involvement in the rebellion, but he eventually became a symbol of resistance for the rebels.
- He was proclaimed as the leader of the rebellion and issued a proclamation calling for the unity of all Indians against the British.

Lord Canning's Declaration:
- As the British forces suppressed the rebellion, they captured Delhi in September 1857.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar II was captured and put on trial for treason.
- Lord Canning, who was the Governor-General of India at that time, declared Bahadur Shah Zafar II as the last Mughal Emperor.
- This declaration symbolized the end of the Mughal Empire and the complete dominance of the British in India.

Aftermath:
- Bahadur Shah Zafar II was exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon) in Burma (now Myanmar), where he spent the rest of his life.
- He died in 1862, marking the end of the Mughal dynasty.

Conclusion:
- Lord Canning's declaration of Bahadur Shah Zafar II as the last Mughal Emperor was a significant moment in Indian history.
- It symbolized the end of an era and the complete establishment of British rule in India.

Lord canning