Queen Victoria of the UK was proclaimed Empress of India in 1877

The Indian Subcontinent, before it achieved its independence in 1947, was ruled by the British East India Company. But later in 1857 the great Indian Rebellion or the Sepoy Mutiny changed the scenario and the Indian subcontinent were formally incorporated into the British Empire. UK passed the Royal Titles Act 1876 so that Victoria took the title "Empress of India" from 1 May 1876. However, the new title was proclaimed at the Delhi Durbar of 1 January 1877.