Question

In which of the following years did India come under the direct rule of the British crown?
1. 1878
2. 1858
3. 1868
4. 1888

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 1858

The correct answer is 1858.

• The ‘Crown Rule’ or the ‘Direct Rule’ by the British on the Indian subcontinent remained from 1858 to 1947.
• The area under British control was called British India and the area under indigenous rulers was known as Princely states.
• After the Indian rebellion of 1857, the control of the British India Company was transferred to the Crown of Queen Victoria.
• In 1858, lower Burma was part of British India while upper Burma became a part of it in 1886.
• Imperial Entities of India – British India (1612 – 1947)
  • East India Company (1612 – 1757)
  • Company Rule in India (1757 – 1858)
  • British Raj (1858 – 1947)
  • Princely States (1721 – 1949)
  • Partition of India (1947)

History of British Raj (Crown Rule)

• 1858: Direct Rule of the British Crown came into force
• 1860 – 1890: Rise of INC
• 1905 – 1911: Bengal Partition and Rise of Muslim League
• 1914 – 1918: 1^st World War and Lucknow Pact
• 1915 – 1918: Return of Gandhiji to India from South Africa
• 1916 – 1919: Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
• 1917 – 1919: Rowlatt Act
• 1919 – 1939: Jalliawala Bagh Massacre, Non-Cooperation movement and Government of India Act
• 1939 – 1945: 2^nd World War
• 1946 – 1947: Independence and Partition into India and Pakistan