When was the proclamation of Queen Victoria taking control of the Indian government made?

The Correct answer is 1858.

Key Points

• The Proclamation of Queen Victoria was issued on 1st November 1858.
• This proclamation marked the end of the rule of the East India Company and the transfer of control of India to the British Crown.
• Queen Victoria's proclamation promised the Indian people equal treatment under British law and respect for their customs and traditions.
• The proclamation was a result of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, which exposed the weaknesses of the East India Company’s governance.
• With this proclamation, India came under the direct rule of the British government, and the title of Empress of India was later adopted by Queen Victoria in 1876.

 Additional Information

• Indian Rebellion of 1857
  • The rebellion began as a mutiny of sepoys of the East India Company’s army on 10 May 1857 in the town of Meerut.
  • It soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions in major parts of India.
  • The rebellion is also known as India's First War of Independence.
• East India Company
  • The East India Company was an English company formed for the exploitation of trade with East and Southeast Asia and India, incorporated by royal charter on 31 December 1600.
  • It eventually came to rule large areas of India with its own private armies, exercising military power and assuming administrative functions.