Queen Victoria proclaimed Empress of India

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.07: English Writing and Culture of the Victorian Period, 1837-1901.
Vol. editors: Gillian Fenwick (University of Toronto), Jessica Gossling (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Domains

Changes of government, elections and reigns
Colonialism and colonisation

Dates

Date of occurrence 1877-01-01

Places

United Kingdom (Location)
India (Involved)

Resources

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It was felt that the Indian Mutiny in 1857 had revealed weaknesses in the political relations by which the sub-continent was controlled, so the sovereignty of India was transferred to the crown and the governor-general was replaced with a viceroy. The assumption of the title “Emperor of Germany” by Kaiser Wilhelm I in led Queen Victoria to ask Gladstone why she had no such title. Gladstone objected that the title was without precedent in British history. When Disraeli became Prime Minister in 1874 he was ready to oblige and early in 1876 the Royal Titles Act (39 & 40 Vic. c. 10) conferred on Victoria the title of Empress of India. The title came into force on January 1 1877.

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111 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Queen Victoria proclaimed Empress of India". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 January 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1700, accessed 26 April 2024.]

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