<P> Revolts broke out in other parts of Oudh and the North - Western Provinces as well, where civil rebellion followed the mutinies, leading to popular uprisings . The British were initially caught off - guard and were thus slow to react, but eventually responded with force . The lack of effective organisation among the rebels, coupled with the military superiority of the British, brought a rapid end to the rebellion . The British fought the main army of the rebels near Delhi, and after prolonged fighting and a siege, defeated them and retook the city on 20 September 1857 . Subsequently, revolts in other centres were also crushed . The last significant battle was fought in Gwalior on 17 June 1858, during which Rani Lakshmibai was killed . Sporadic fighting and guerrilla warfare, led by Tatya Tope, continued until spring 1859, but most of the rebels were eventually subdued . </P> <P> The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major turning point in the history of modern India . While affirming the military and political power of the British, it led to significant change in how India was to be controlled by them . Under the Government of India Act 1858, the Company was deprived of its involvement in ruling India, with its territory being transferred to the direct authority of the British government . At the apex of the new system was a Cabinet minister, the Secretary of State for India, who was to be formally advised by a statutory council; the Governor - General of India (Viceroy) was made responsible to him, while he in turn was responsible to the government . In a royal proclamation made to the people of India, Queen Victoria promised equal opportunity of public service under British law, and also pledged to respect the rights of the native princes . The British stopped the policy of seizing land from the princes, decreed religious tolerance and began to admit Indians into the civil service (albeit mainly as subordinates). However, they also increased the number of British soldiers in relation to native Indian ones, and only allowed British soldiers to handle artillery . Bahadur Shah was exiled to Rangoon, Burma, where he died in 1862 . </P> <P> In 1876, in a controversial move Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli acceded to the Queen's request and passed legislation to give Queen Victoria the additional title of Empress of India . Liberals in Britain objected that the title was foreign to British traditions . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (October 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Describe the slow transition from colonial to self rule in india