Class 8 Social Science Notes Chapter 6 (Colonialism and the City) – Our Pasts - III (Part-1) Book

Alright students, let's focus on Chapter 6, "Colonialism and the City," from your 'Our Pasts - III' textbook. This chapter is crucial for understanding how British rule reshaped urban life in India, using Delhi as a prime example. Pay close attention, as these points are important for your exams.

Chapter 6: Colonialism and the City - Detailed Notes

1. Introduction: The Fate of Indian Cities under Colonialism

• Pre-Colonial Cities: Many Indian cities before British rule were centers of administration, trade, industry, and religious importance (e.g., Surat, Masulipatnam, Dhaka, Murshidabad, Seringapatam, Tanjore).
• Impact of Colonialism: British rule led to significant changes:
  • De-urbanisation: Many older trading centers and ports declined as trade patterns shifted towards new colonial ports and manufacturing centers in Britain gained prominence. Rivers silted up, and old trade routes were replaced. Examples: Surat, Masulipatnam, Seringapatam.
  • Rise of New Cities: The British developed new administrative and commercial centers, often called Presidency Cities, which became the hubs of colonial power and economy. Examples: Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata), and Madras (Chennai).
  • Transformation of Existing Cities: Cities that survived often underwent major transformations in their layout, administration, and social fabric.

2. Focus on Delhi: A Tale of Transformation

• Historical Significance: Delhi had been a capital for centuries under various rulers (Tomara Rajputs, Chauhans, Delhi Sultanate, Mughals). Shahjahanabad, built by Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century, was the magnificent Mughal capital.
• Delhi Before 1857:
  • Shahjahanabad: A walled city, known for the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Faiz Bazaar, densely packed mohallas, havelis, mosques, temples, dargahs, idgahs, gardens, and a sophisticated water supply system (canals, baolis).
  • Culture: A center of Sufi culture, learning, poetry, and arts.
• The Impact of the 1857 Revolt:
  • Delhi was a major center of the uprising.
  • British Recapture: The British recaptured Delhi after fierce fighting, leading to widespread destruction, looting, and killing.
  • Exile of Bahadur Shah Zafar: The last Mughal emperor was exiled to Rangoon (Yangon).
  • Symbolic Destruction: Mosques were destroyed or put to other uses (e.g., Zinat-al-Masjid converted into a bakery). Canals were filled up, gardens destroyed. The British aimed to erase symbols of Mughal power.
  • Security Measures: A large area around the Red Fort was cleared for security (cantonments, barracks). Railways were introduced, cutting through the city and displacing populations. Walls of Shahjahanabad were partially broken.

3. Planning a New Capital: The Making of New Delhi

• Shift of Capital (1911): The British decided to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi.
  • Reasons: Calcutta had become a center of nationalist activity. Delhi held historical and symbolic importance as a former imperial capital, reinforcing British legitimacy.
• Architects and Design:
  • Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker were the main architects.
  • Location: Built on Raisina Hill, south of Shahjahanabad.
  • Design Philosophy:
    • Contrast with Old Delhi: New Delhi was designed to be the opposite of the congested, winding streets of Shahjahanabad. It featured broad, straight streets, large open spaces, and sprawling bungalows set in large compounds.
    • Order and Power: The layout emphasized order, cleanliness, and the grandeur of the British Empire. It reflected racial segregation (separate areas for Indians and Europeans).
    • Symbolism: The Viceroy's Palace (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) was placed highest on Raisina Hill, overlooking the city. The Secretariat buildings flanked it. Kingsway (now Rajpath) led straight from the Viceroy's Palace to India Gate (a war memorial).
    • Architectural Style: Attempted to blend classical European styles with some Indian motifs, but primarily represented Western dominance.

4. Life in the Time of Partition (1947)

• Massive Upheaval: The Partition of India led to unprecedented violence and one of the largest migrations in human history.
• Impact on Delhi:
  • Population Explosion: Delhi's population swelled dramatically as huge numbers of Hindu and Sikh refugees arrived from Pakistan (mainly Punjab).
  • Demographic Shift: Muslims migrated out of Delhi to Pakistan in large numbers. The city's religious and social composition changed drastically.
  • Violence and Displacement: Widespread riots occurred. Muslims were forced to flee their homes or live in makeshift camps. Refugees arriving from Pakistan faced immense hardship.
  • Occupation Changes: Many refugees took over businesses and properties left by migrating Muslims. The nature of jobs and skills in the city changed (e.g., rise of small traders, artisans from Punjab).
  • Urban Expansion: New refugee colonies sprang up rapidly, often initially as camps, later becoming permanent settlements (e.g., Lajpat Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Rajendra Nagar). This led to unplanned expansion in some areas.

5. Inside the Old City (Shahjahanabad during Colonial Rule)

• Neglect: The British showed little interest in maintaining or improving the Old City after 1857.
• Breakdown of Systems:
  • Water Supply and Drainage: The old canal system (bringing water from the Yamuna) was neglected and later closed or replaced with inefficient Western-style systems. Drainage deteriorated, leading to poor sanitation.
  • Overcrowding: As the population grew, the Old City became increasingly congested.
• Decline of Havelis:
  • What were Havelis? Grand mansions belonging to the Mughal aristocracy and wealthy merchants, often housing large joint families, servants, and workshops. They were symbols of status and a way of life.
  • Reasons for Decline:
    • Loss of Mughal patronage after 1857.
    • British acquisition of properties.
    • Inability of owners to maintain large structures.
    • Subdivision of havelis among multiple families or conversion into shops/godowns.

6. Municipal Governance Under the British

• Establishment: The British gradually introduced municipal bodies to manage urban services like water supply, sanitation, road building, and public health.
• Limitations:
  • Funds were often inadequate.
  • Focus was primarily on the needs of the British population and the newly developed areas (Civil Lines, Cantonments, New Delhi).
  • Old City areas often received less attention and resources.
  • Taxes were levied, but services did not always match the contributions, especially in Indian localities.

Conclusion:

Colonial rule fundamentally altered the urban landscape of India. While some cities declined (de-urbanisation), new centers of power emerged (Presidency cities). Existing cities like Delhi were dramatically reshaped through direct intervention (post-1857 changes, building New Delhi) and neglect (decline of Shahjahanabad's infrastructure). The Partition added another layer of tumultuous change, transforming Delhi's demography and spatial structure. The legacy of colonial urban planning, with its emphasis on segregation and order, continues to influence Indian cities today.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which of the following cities experienced significant 'de-urbanisation' during the early colonial period?
   a) Bombay
   b) Calcutta
   c) Madras
   d) Surat

2. The three major Presidency Cities developed by the British were:
   a) Delhi, Agra, Lahore
   b) Bombay, Calcutta, Madras
   c) Surat, Masulipatnam, Dhaka
   d) Poona, Nagpur, Bangalore

3. Shahjahanabad, the Mughal capital, was built by Emperor:
   a) Akbar
   b) Jahangir
   c) Shah Jahan
   d) Aurangzeb

4. Following the Revolt of 1857, the British exiled the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, to:
   a) Calcutta
   b) London
   c) Rangoon
   d) Andaman Islands

5. The decision to shift the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced in:
   a) 1858
   b) 1905
   c) 1911
   d) 1931

6. Who were the main architects responsible for designing New Delhi?
   a) Lord Curzon and Lord Hardinge
   b) Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker
   c) John Lawrence and Lord Canning
   d) William Emerson and Henry Irwin

7. Raisina Hill in New Delhi was chosen as the site for the:
   a) Jama Masjid
   b) Red Fort
   c) Viceroy's Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan)
   d) India Gate

8. The massive influx of refugees into Delhi, drastically changing its population and social fabric, occurred mainly due to:
   a) The Revolt of 1857
   b) The First World War
   c) The Partition of India in 1947
   d) The construction of New Delhi

9. What were the grand mansions of the Mughal aristocracy in Shahjahanabad called?
   a) Mohallas
   b) Dargahs
   c) Baolis
   d) Havelis

10. Which event led the British to clear a large area around the Red Fort in Delhi for security purposes?
    a) The construction of Shahjahanabad
    b) The visit of King George V
    c) The Revolt of 1857
    d) The Partition of India

Answer Key:

1. d) Surat
2. b) Bombay, Calcutta, Madras
3. c) Shah Jahan
4. c) Rangoon
5. c) 1911
6. b) Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker
7. c) Viceroy's Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan)
8. c) The Partition of India in 1947
9. d) Havelis
10. c) The Revolt of 1857

Study these notes carefully. Understand the processes of change – de-urbanisation, re-urbanisation, the reasons behind planning New Delhi, the impact of major events like 1857 and Partition, and the decline of older structures like havelis. Good luck with your preparation!