Year 2 - History
Victoria, Empress of India
Queen Victoria: how did Britain change during her lifetime?
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit teaches students about life in Britain from 1837-1901. They learn about key events like Victoria's accession, the railways, and the Great Exhibition. The unit explores how her reign defines the period, technological advances, and connections within Britain and globally.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe the relationship between India and Britain during Victorian times.
Key Notes
- During Victorian times, the British Empire controlled many countries around the world including India.
- Britain had gradually taken control of more and more territory of India before and during Victoria's reign.
- In 1876, Victoria was given the special title 'Empress of India'.
- Later in Victoria's life, one of her most faithful servants was called Abdul Karim, who was from India.
- Some of Victoria's other household servants were angered by Abdul and did not want to treat him as an equal.
Vocabulary To Learn
- India: India is a country in southern Asia surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean
- empress: the female leader of an empire is called an empress
- servants: a person who has a job working in someone else's home is a servant
- household: a ruler's household includes all the people who support a ruler and live in the same building as them or very near to them
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that Britain still rules over or controls India today.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
During Victorian times, the British Empire controlled many countries around the world including India. Britain had gradually taken control of more and more territory of India before and during Victoria's reign.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'India'
India is a country in southern Asia surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may think that Britain still rules over or controls India today. Correction: Britain does not rule India today. Britain ruled India and much of the surrounding land for over 300 years, but this ended in 1947 when the territory was partitioned into two separate independent countries which became India and Pakistan.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Alice Kinloch and the Victorian British Empire Study Guide
- Britain at the time of Victoria's death Study Guide
- Factories in Britain during Victorian times Study Guide
- The Great Exhibition Study Guide
- Victoria, Scotland and John Brown Study Guide
- Victoria's 'melancholy' childhood Study Guide
- Victoria's accession to the throne Study Guide
- Victoria's children Study Guide
- Victoria's proposal and marriage to Albert Study Guide
- Victorian childhood Study Guide
- Victorian society Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 2 History guide library.