Question

Queen Victoria became the Empress of India according to the Act of_______.
A)1858
B)1861
C)1876
D)1909

Answer 1

HINT: The idea of the Queen becoming Empress of India was discussed before it was implemented. Queen Victoria found India exotic and a country to be ruled by developing the understanding of its social fabric.

Complete Step by step answer:
Option A is an invalid answer.
Option B is an incorrect answer.
Option C: After the Indian Mutiny of 1857 also known as First war of Independence, when Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal emperor was disposed then the control of British India was shifted to the Crown from the East India Company. She accepted the offer on 1 May 1876 with it being officially proclaimed in India on January 1877.As such, the Queen Victoria became de facto Empress of India, but not by title until the General elections in 1874, which put Benjamin Disraeli in power, who passed the “Royal Titles Act 1876”; which provided her the title in complete form.
As an Empress of India, she was referred as “ Her Imperial Majesty” and focused on the freedom of religion for Indians. She held the title for 24 years, until her death on 22 January 1901.
Option D is an incorrect answer.

NOTE: Religion was the basic point of difference in ruling over India, as in the United Kingdom, the church of England had the prime authority and in India, the majority of people followed the Hindu religion. Thus, the authority of the church was rendered invalid in India. However, Queen Victoria had no consort while reigning over India.