Emperor of India

Rare card · No. 61371

Emperor (or Empress) of India was a title used by British monarchs from 1 May 1876 (with the Royal Titles Act 1876) to 22 June 1948 to signify their sovereignty over the British Indian Empire as its imperial head of state. The image of the Emperor or Empress appeared on Indian currency, in government buildings, railway stations, courts, on statues, etc. Oaths of allegiance were made to the Emperor or Empress and the lawful successors by the governors-general, princes, governors, commissioners in India in events such as imperial durbars. The title was abolished on 22 June 1948, with a royal proclamation of George VI made under the Indian Independence Act 1947, which had provided that the monarch could decide that the words "Emperor of India" were to be omitted in the royal styles of address and from customary titles. This was almost a year after he had become the titular monarch of the newly partitioned and independent dominions of India and Pakistan in August 1947. The monarchy was ended...

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