END OF COMPANY’S RULE:

The British Parliament passed an "Act for the Better Government of India" in 1858, whereby the
administration responsibility was passed into the hands of the British Queen and her Parliament.
With this, the rule of the Company came to an end. The Board of Control was abolished and the
Board of Directors had no power left. A secretary of State for India was to take the place of the
President of the Board of Control. He was advised by a board of fifteen members. The
designation of the Governor-General was changed. While he remained Governor-General for the
provinces under his rule, he came to be known as Viceroy while dealing with Nawabs, Rajas and
native princes.

CHANGE IN THE BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS INDIAN STATES:

Queen Victoria's first act after the suppression of rebellion was to issue a Proclamation to the
Indian public telling them-through the various tongues and dialects in the amalgamation of
public utility and improvement' and respect the religious beliefs of the people and the titles of
some Indian princes who had been deposed in recent years 1. Further, Doctrine of Lapse was
abandoned and the right to adoption recognized. The Indian princes were assured that their
territories would never be annexed. Henceforth, the continual existence of Native States was
guaranteed. However, there were clearly defined restrictions and limitations to them. The
military prowess was greatly reduced.

END OF PESHWANSHIP AND THE MUGHAL RULE:

Nana Sahib escaped after the Revolt as he had actively taken part in it. He could not be traced
after that. With his escape the Peshwaship came to an end. The title of Mughal emperor was also
abolished as the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar who also took part in the Revolt died
in 1862.

1
Barbara D. Metcalf and Thomas R. Metcalf A Concise History of India (Cambridge 2002) p.105