Queen Victoria's Proclamation, which announced that the Crown had taken over the government of India, was read out at Allahabad on:

Queen Victoria's Proclamation, announcing that the British Crown had taken over the government of India from the English East India Company, was read out at a durbar at Allahabad on 1 November 1858.

Background:

• After the Revolt of 1857, the British government decided that India could no longer be ruled by a trading company.
• The Company's rule came to an end, and India came to be governed directly in the name of the Crown.

Main points of the Proclamation:

• The Crown took over the government of India.
• The British government would not annex any more Indian states; the treaties and agreements with the princes would be respected.
• The rights, dignity and honour of the native princes would be respected as the Crown's own.
• The British would not interfere in the religious beliefs and customs of the people; there would be religious tolerance.
• All subjects would be treated equally, and Indians would be admitted to offices in the government without discrimination, on the basis of education, ability and integrity.
• A general pardon was offered to the rebels, except those who had directly been involved in killing British subjects.
• Ancient rights, usages and customs would be respected.

NCERT on the Proclamation:

• NCERT notes that the British Crown assumed direct responsibility for ruling India.
• The ruling chiefs were assured that their territory would never be annexed in future.
• They were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their heirs, including adopted sons.

Importance:

• It is sometimes called the "Magna Carta of Indian liberties", though many of its promises were not fully kept.
• It marked the start of a new phase of British rule in India.

Why not the other options?

• ✗10 May 1857 was the date of the outbreak of the Revolt at Meerut.
• ✗1 January 1877 was the date of the Delhi Durbar.
• ✗15 August 1858 is not connected with the Proclamation.