Cities under Colonial Rule


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Cities under Colonial Rule

Colonialism  is the ideology which favours and believes in colonial strengthening in any way. at line, political,economic,and social domination of an imperial power is also called colonialism. The rule or government pertaining to a colony is usually called a colonial power or colonial rule . The British was a colonial power in India.

What happened to Cities under Colonial Rule?  In most parts of the Western world modern cities emerged with industrialization. In Britain, industrial cities like Leeds and Manchester grew rapidly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as more and more people sought jobs, housing and other facilities in these places.

  • In the late eighteenth century, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras rose in importance as Presidency cities. They became the centres of British power in the different regions of India.
  • At the same time, a host of smaller cities declined. Many towns manufacturing specialised goods declined due to a drop in the demand for what they produced. Old trading centres and ports could not survive when the flow of trade moved to new centres.
  • Similarly, earlier centres of regional power collapsed hen local rulers were defeated by the British and new centres of administration emerged. This process is often described as de-urbanisation.
  • The historic imperial city of Delhi became a dusty provincial town in the nineteenth century before it was rebuilt as the capital of British India after 1912
  • How Many 'Delhis' Before New Delhi?

  • The area now known as Delhi has been a capital for more than a 1000 years. As many as 14 capital cities were founded in a small area of about 60 square miles on the left bank of the river Jamuna, and of them, the major ones are the capitals built between the 12th and 17th centuries.
  • The most splendid capital of them all was built by Shah Jahan. He started building Shahjahanabad in 1639, and it consisted of a fort-palace complex, now known as the Red Fort, and a city adjoining it.
  • Delhi during Shah Jahan’s time was also a centre of Sufi culture, and it had several dargahs, khanqahs, and idgahs.
  • But even that was no ideal city, as there were sharp divisions between the rich and the poor. Havelis or Mansion were intrespersed  with the far more numerous mud houses of the poor
  • The colourful wonderful poetry and danced was usually enjoyed only by men.Furthermore, celebrations and processions often led to serious conflicts.
  • Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    What was khanqah ?

    Right Option : C
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    Explanation
    Question : 2

    For administrative purposes, colonial India was divided into three Presidencies. Which of the following was not a Presidency ?

    Right Option : D
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    Explanation
    Question : 3

    ________and___________were the main streets for royal processions to passs through.

    Right Option : B
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    Explanation
     
     
     


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