Revolt & Aftermath · 1 November 1858
Queen's Proclamation and Crown Rule
After the Revolt, the Government of India Act 1858 ended East India Company rule. Queen Victoria's Proclamation promised religious tolerance and equal treatment.
Causes
- The Revolt of 1857 exposed Company misrule
- British Parliament wanted direct control of India
Consequences
- Viceroy replaced the Governor-General as the Crown's representative
- Doctrine of Lapse abandoned; princes guaranteed their states
- Army reorganised with more British soldiers
Significance
Began 89 years of direct British Crown rule, and its unkept promises became a theme for early nationalists.
Key terms
Sources
- Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, From Plassey to Partition (Orient BlackSwan, 2004)
- NCERT, Themes in Indian History Part III, Class XII