Thread by @marinamaral2

Timelapse: Queen Victoria seated with her two Indian servants Mustafa and Chidda, 1897.

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After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British East India Company, which had ruled much of India, was dissolved, and Britain's possessions and protectorates on the Indian subcontinent were formally incorporated into the British Empire.

The Queen had a relatively balanced view of the conflict, and condemned atrocities on both sides.

She wrote of "her feelings of horror and regret at the result of this bloody civil war"

and insisted, urged on by Albert, that an official proclamation announcing the transfer of power from the company to the state "should breathe feelings of generosity, benevolence and religious toleration".

At her behest, a reference threatening the "undermining of native religions and customs" was replaced by a passage guaranteeing religious freedom.

The first of January, 1877, saw the Queen proclaimed Empress of India.

She wrote in her journal: "my thoughts much too taken up with the great event at Delhi today, & in India generally, where I am being proclaimed Empress of India."

The ceremony was most imposing, and in every way successful. Three tented pavilions had been constructed on an open plain. In front of this was the pavilion for the ruling chiefs and high European officials, in the form of a semicircle eight hundred feet long.

Behind the throne was the stand for the spectators, also in the form of a semicircle divided in the middle, and likewise canopied in brilliant colors. Between these two blocks was the entrance to the area.

The guests being all seated, a flourish of trumpets by the heralds exactly at noon announced the arrival of the Viceroy. The military bands played a march, and Lord Lytton, accompanied by Lady Lytton, their daughters, and his staff, proceeded to the pavilion.

His Excellency took his seat upon the throne, arrayed in his robes as Grand Master of the Star of India, the National Anthem was played, the guards of honor presented arms while the whole of the vast assemblage rose as one man.

The chief herald was then commanded to read the proclamation. A flourish of trumpets was again sounded, and Her Majesty was proclaimed Empress of India.

When the chief herald had ceased reading, the royal standard was hoisted, and a salute of one hundred and one salvos of artillery was fire.

This was too much for the elephants. They became more and more alarmed, and at last scampered off, dispersing the crowd in every direction.

Source:
Field Marshal Robert's report

Between April 1877 and February 1878, Victoria threatened five times to abdicate while pressuring Disraeli to act against Russia during the Russo-Turkish War, but her threats had no impact on the events or their conclusion with the Congress of Berlin.

Disraeli's expansionist foreign policy led to conflicts such as the Anglo-Zulu War and the Second Anglo-Afghan War. "If we are to maintain our position as a first-rate Power", she wrote, "we must ... be Prepared for attacks and wars, somewhere or other, CONTINUALLY."

Victoria saw the expansion of the British Empire as civilizing and benign, protecting native peoples from more aggressive powers or cruel rulers: "It is not in our custom to annexe countries", she said, "unless we are obliged & forced to do so."

In 1887, the British Empire celebrated Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Victoria marked the fiftieth anniversary of her accession on 20 June with a banquet to which 50 kings and princes were invited.

The following day, she participated in a procession and attended a thanksgiving service in Westminster Abbey.

Two days later on 23 June, she engaged two Indian Muslims as waiters, one of whom was Abdul Karim.

He was soon promoted to "Munshi": teaching her Urdu (known as Hindustani) and acting as a clerk. Her family and retainers were appalled, and accused Abdul Karim of spying for the Muslim Patriotic League, and biasing the Queen against the Hindus.

Abdul Karim remained in her service until he returned to India with a pension, on her death.