2017-04-03 Mon

All of us have studied about the Revolt of 1857 when the people of India revolted against the East India Company (EIC). EIC was dissolved by the British Crown by the Government of India Act of 1858, later followed by the Queens's proclamation. Further, The Royal Title Act of 1876 cemented the Rule of British Crown in India.

It was an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom that officially recognized Queen Victoria as the‘'Empress of India'. This act was suggested by Benjamin Disraeli's government as India was already under the Crown’s control but this title became a gesture to further link monarchy with the empire and tie India closely with Great Britain.

This act of 1st May 1876 was proclaimed at the Delhi Durbar in 1877. This change was clearly reflected into the coinage when the coins issued in the name of Queen Victoria were depicted with the title of Victoria Empress from 1877 onwards in different denominations. The best example of this change is shown in the above silver rupee of 1877.

This development was seen not only in India but also in all the Dominions of Great Britain. The reigning British Monarchs used the initials in Latin ‘RI' (Rex/Regina Imperator/imperatrix) or abbreviation in Latin Ind. Imp. (Indiae Imperator/imperatrix) after their name and title throughout their dominions.

This title was used by the subsequent monarchs of Great Britain. It was officially abandoned on 22nd June 1948 during the reign of King George VI nearly after a year of the birth of the Independent Union of India.

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