Introduction – The Changing Landscape of Indian Cities

• Before British rule, India had well-developed cities like Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi, which flourished as cultural and commercial centers.
• With British colonization, urban centers changed due to administrative needs, economic interests, and military strategies.
• The British introduced new forms of city planning and architecture, leading to a contrast between ‘White Towns’ (for Europeans) and ‘Black Towns’ (for Indians).

Growth of Colonial Cities – Expansion and Transformation

• The British developed several new cities while altering existing ones.
• Major centers of colonial administration and trade emerged across India.

Three Presidency Cities

• Calcutta (Kolkata) – Capital of British India (1773–1911), major trade and administrative center.
• Bombay (Mumbai) – Important port city for trade, naval base, and financial hub.
• Madras (Chennai) – Key port for maritime trade with Southeast Asia.

Transformation of Old Cities

• Delhi: Became the Mughal capital in the 17th century but was later redesigned by the British.
• Lucknow, Hyderabad, Mysore: Remained princely capitals but saw British influence.

Colonial Urban Planning – Dividing Spaces

The British introduced structured urban planning, dividing cities based on race and function.

White Towns vs. Black Towns

• White Towns: Exclusive areas for British officials, featuring bungalows, clubs, and churches.
• Black Towns: Overcrowded Indian settlements, with bazaars, temples, and narrow lanes.

Cantonments (Military Settlements)

• Built for British troops to maintain security.
• Located outside cities (e.g., Meerut, Ambala, Bangalore).

Civil Lines (Residential Areas for British Officers)

• Developed for British civil servants, separate from Indian localities.
• Had spacious houses, gardens, and well-planned roads.

Impact of British Policies on Indian Urban Economy

British rule disrupted traditional industries while promoting European goods.

Decline of Indigenous Industries

• Handloom textile industry suffered due to the influx of British machine-made goods.
• Artisans and weavers lost jobs, leading to rural migration to cities.

Growth of New Economic Centers

• Railways connected major cities, boosting trade.
• Banks, insurance companies, and ports expanded under British control.

Architecture Under British Rule – Colonial Style and Public Buildings

British architecture combined Western styles with Indian elements, leading to unique colonial structures.

Key Architectural Styles

• Neo-Classical Style: Grand columns and symmetrical designs (e.g., Town Hall, Kolkata).
• Gothic Style: Pointed arches and stained-glass windows (e.g., Victoria Terminus, Mumbai).
• Indo-Saracenic Style: Fusion of Indian and European styles (e.g., Madras High Court).

Notable British Constructions

• Government Houses: Residences for governors in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.
• Railway Stations: Victoria Terminus in Mumbai, Howrah Station in Kolkata.
• Monuments: Victoria Memorial (Kolkata), Gateway of India (Mumbai).

Impact of Colonial Rule on Indian Society

British urban planning created social and economic divisions in Indian cities.

Social Hierarchy in Cities

• British elites lived in separate, well-maintained neighborhoods.
• Indian elites (zamindars, merchants) adapted to colonial lifestyles.
• Working-class Indians lived in overcrowded areas with poor sanitation.

Indian Response to Urbanization

• Western-educated Indians embraced modern lifestyles, influencing the rise of the middle class.
• Nationalists criticized British policies for neglecting Indian needs.

Colonial Cities as Centers of Nationalism

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, colonial cities became hubs of anti-British movements.

Role of Cities in Nationalist Movements

• Calcutta: Base for early Congress leaders, Swadeshi Movement (1905).
• Bombay: Home to the Indian National Congress sessions, textile workers’ strikes.
• Delhi: Center of political activity during the Quit India Movement (1942).

The Impact of 1857 on Urban Spaces

• The Revolt of 1857 led to major urban changes, particularly in Delhi.
• British forces destroyed many parts of the city to assert control.

Changes in Delhi Post-1857

• The British cleared large areas of Old Delhi, including mosques and markets.
• Mughal structures were either repurposed or destroyed.
• A new British administrative area was built, shifting power away from the Mughal city.

The Shift of the British Capital from Calcutta to Delhi (1911)

In 1911, the British decided to move India’s capital from Calcutta to Delhi.

Reasons for the Shift

• Calcutta was the center of nationalist agitation (Swadeshi Movement).
• Delhi had historical significance as the former Mughal capital.
• A central location provided better administrative control.

The Making of New Delhi

• British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed New Delhi.
• It featured wide roads, large government buildings, and spacious layouts.
• The Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly Viceroy’s House) symbolized British authority.

Conclusion