1853 Opening of first railway in India from Calcutta to Thana;
laying of telegraph line from Calcutta to Agra, annexation
of Nagpur and Jhansi, cession of Berar by the Nizam,
renewal of the Company"s Charter, entrance into I.C.S.
thrown open to competition
1854 Education Despatch of Sir Charles Wood
1855 The Santal insurrection
1856 Annexation of Oudh, the Indian Universities Act,
Religious Disabilities Act, Hindu Widow"s Remarriage
Act, departure of Lord Dalhousie and appointment of Lord
Canning as Governor General, end of Crimean War,
General Service Order, Persian War, war in China (1856-
60), introduction of the Enfield rifle and greased cartridges
1857 Beginning of the Revolt or Sepoy Mutiny, foundation of
Calcutta, Bombay and Madras Universities
1858 Trial of Emperor Bahadur Shah (Jan-March), proclamation
of peace by Lord Canning (July), Act for the better
government of India (August), Queen"s Proclamation
(Nov), Lord Canning appointed Viceroy (Nov.)
1859 Withdrawal of Doctrine of Lapse, gradual restoration of
order, indigo disputes in Bengal (1859-60)
1860 Enactment of Indian Penal Code
1861 Indian Councils Act, establishment of High Courts, Civil
Service Act, Famine in N.W. India, enactment of the Code
of Criminal Procedure
1862 Retirement of Lord Canning, Lord Elgin I appointed
Viceroy (1862-63), amalgamation of Supreme and Sadar
Courts into high courts
1864 Sir John Lawrence appointed viceroy Bhutan War
1865 Orissa famine (1865-67), opening of telegraphic
communication with Europe
1868 Opening of railway from Ambala to Delhi