New Delhi: India had many kings and emperors in history who ruled the land with authority and domination, leaving behind an immortal legacy. But in the crowd of rulers, one can hardly find a female figure. While there were the likes of Nur Jahan who ruled the empire as a de facto ruler, nobody really became the Empress of India solely as an independent ruler. Little did anybody know that the scenario would change with the advent of the modern age and it would take a British woman to bring about the revolution.
Queen Victoria: The first Empress of India as an independent ruler
Queen Victoria is hailed as one of the greatest monarchs in the history of the United Kingdom. She led the British Empire at a time when it was rapidly expanding its boundaries and became the foremost power in the world, with its size so vast that the ‘sun would not set’ on it.
After William IV’s passed away in 1837, Victoria became the Queen of the British Empire when she was just 18 years old. An astute ruler, her reign is associated with Britain’s great age of industrial expansion, economic progress and, especially, empire. At the time of her death, Britain had a worldwide empire which could rival any powerful kingdom in history. She was the British Empire’s symbol, which was evident from the grand ceremonies during the Golden and Diamond Jubilees held to celebrate the 50th and 60th anniversaries of her accession. Also, she had a gift for drawing and painting and kept a regular journal throughout her life.
How did she become the Empress of India?
The British Raj in the Indian subcontinent was consolidated not by the Empire, but the East India Company, a trading organisation. The Company came to India, got trading concessions and slowly got involved in the politics of the land. It eventually formed its own army and defeated the local kings and nawabs and even the Mughal Emperor to become the foremost power in the subcontinent.
However, the Indian Mutiny of 1857 changed the scenario. After the rebellion was over, the UK government realised that the Company would not be capable in governing such a vast country. As a result, the power of India was transferred to the Crown from the East India Company and the position of Governor General was upgraded to Viceroy. Queen Victoria, in 1877, became the Empress of India under the Royal Titles Act passed by Disraeli’s government. From May 1, 1876, until her death in January 1901, she was the Empress of India. On January 1, 1877, the new title was proclaimed at the Delhi Durbar.
Queen Victoria’s reign witnessed the British Empire’s zenith. Initially Queen of the UK, the 1857 Indian Mutiny led to the British Crown assuming direct control of India. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
