Final answer:
Post-1857, the British abolished the East India Company, establishing the British Raj ruled by the Viceroy. They retained loyal local rulers in nominal power, introduced limited administrative reforms, and continued infrastructure investments which primarily benefited British interests. This period saw the start of India's quest for independence, marked by the formation of the Indian National Congress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changes Introduced by the British Post-1857 Rebellion
After the British regained control in India following the 1857 rebellion, significant structural and administrative changes were introduced. The British government abolished the British East India Company and took direct control over the administration of India. This transition marked the beginning of the period known as the British Raj or British Paramountcy. With Queen Victoria being proclaimed the Empress of India in 1876, a new power dynamic was established. The British introduced several reforms to consolidate their rule and prevent any future uprising.
- The abolition of the East India Company led to the British Crown taking control through the Viceroy of India, reflecting a more centralized form of governance.
- Local rulers who remained loyal to the British were allowed nominal control over their territories but became subservient to British authority.
- Reforms such as the Indian Council Act of 1861 and later the introduction of the Indian Civil Service examinations accessible to Indians were efforts to involve Indians in governance, although this was done under British terms.
- To mitigate religious tensions, the British made efforts to respect religious and social customs, retracting policies that were seen as intrusive prior to the rebellion.
- Infrastructure investments, like railway and telegraph construction, continued to serve British economic interests and helped reinforce control over the subcontinent.
These changes, while reformative in some aspects, did not satisfy the growing nationalist sentiments among Indians, leading to the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 and the eventual struggle for Indian independence.