Lord Canning’s Statue, First Viceroy of India, 1870 Photo
An old 1870 photo of Lord Canning’s statue the first Viceroy of India. During the Indian rebellion of 1857, he was the Governor-General (1856-58). He became the first Viceroy (1858-62) after the British Crown abolished the East India Company. The Viceroy was also known as Viscount Canning.
Skilfully handled the Indian rebellion of 1857 and helped in the smooth transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown under Queen Victoria. He had some notable achievements in his tenure. Most notable of them was that he helped found the Universities Calcutta (now Kolkatta), Bombay (Mumbai), and Madras (Chennai).
And helped in the expansion of the Railways, and formed the Imperial Civil Service now known as the Indian Civil Service. Lord Canning was distraught after his beloved wife Lady Charlotte Elizabeth died after contracting malaria. He resigned in 1862 and died eight months later. J H Foley and J Brook sculpted the bronze equestrian-mounted statue as seen in this photo. A local native is also visible resting on the steps.
Did you know- in 1969 the statue was relocated from Calcutta to the banks of the Hooghly to where his wife lay buried.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#10)., Antique Photograph Madras Government House., Vintage Postcard Cochin Snake Boat Race 1951., Antique Print Bombay Apollo Bunder & Harbour 1880., Rare Nilgiri Mountain Railway Steam Locomotive Drawing
