The Governor-General of India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 was Lord Canning.

The Indian Mutiny of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence, was a major uprising against British rule in India. It began as a revolt by Indian sepoys (soldiers) in the British East India Company's army, but soon escalated into a widespread rebellion involving various sections of Indian society.

Lord Canning's Role
- Lord Canning, also known as Charles John Canning, was the Governor-General of India during this period. He served as the Governor-General from 1856 to 1858.
- Canning played a crucial role in managing the crisis and suppressing the mutiny. He was faced with the daunting task of restoring order and reestablishing British control over India.
- Canning initially underestimated the scale and intensity of the rebellion, but he quickly took charge and implemented several measures to quell the uprising.
- He issued a proclamation on July 24, 1857, which declared the British government's intention to put down the rebellion and offered amnesty to those who surrendered.
- Canning also ordered the dispatch of additional troops from Britain and sought assistance from other European powers to help suppress the rebellion.
- He adopted a policy of both repression and conciliation. While he ordered brutal reprisals against rebellious sepoys and their supporters, he also initiated measures to address some of the grievances that had led to the mutiny.
- Canning abolished the East India Company and transferred its powers to the British Crown, marking the beginning of direct British rule in India.
- He also introduced reforms in the administration, military, and judicial systems to prevent such uprisings in the future.

Legacy
- Lord Canning's tenure as the Governor-General during the Indian Mutiny was a challenging period in Indian history.
- While he successfully suppressed the rebellion, the events of 1857 had a lasting impact on British policies in India.
- The mutiny led to the end of the East India Company's rule and the beginning of direct British administration in India.
- It also led to a significant change in British attitudes towards Indian society and culture, fueling a sense of racial and cultural superiority among the British rulers.
- Lord Canning's role in managing the crisis and implementing reforms during this period is remembered as a crucial chapter in the history of British India.