Colonialism and the City

The Delhi Improvement Trust was set up in 1936. It built areas like Daryaganj South for wealthy Indians. Grouped houses around parks could be seen. New rules of privacy emerged. Now big space shared by families together did not exist anymore. Now different members of family had different rooms within the same home.

Lahore Gate Improvement Scheme was an extension scheme that was started in 1888. It was initiated by Robert Clarke for the walled city residents. The idea behind it was to draw residents away from the old city to a new type of market square around which shops could be built. Streets in this redevelopment strictly followed the grid pattern, and were of identical width, size and character. Land was divided into regular areas for the construction of neighbourhoods.

The colonial bungalow is meant for one nuclear family whereas a haveli housed many families. The colonial bungalow has a large single-storeyed structure with a pitched roof whereas haveli had several structures within it. Kitchens, stables and servants quarters were in a separate space from the colonial bungalow whereas kitchens, stables and servants quarters were in the haveli itself. Colonial bungalow was run by many servants but the haveli was run by the women of household. The colonial bungalow had separate living and dining rooms whereas it was not the case with haveli.

The excellent system of water supply and drainage was neglected in 19th century. The system of wells and effluents also broke down. The Shahjahanabad drains were closed and new system of open drains was introduced.

Mughal’s Delhi had framed canals that brought fresh drinking water to homes. There was excellent system of water supply and drainage. Mughals invented the system of Baolis or Wells. Channels to remove household waste or effluents were also invented by Mughals.

The Britishers were fully aware of the importance of Delhi. They believed that Mughal Emperor was still important to Indian people and people still considered him as their leader. They wanted to celebrate their power with pomp and show as Delhi was a rebel stronghold in 1857. In order to prevent any other massive revolt like that of 1857, he chose Delhi to hold the Durbar.

The present capital, New Delhi has better civic amenities like water supply, street lighting, modern shopping areas, parks, playgrounds, domestic electric supply and sewage as compared to past Mughal capital Shahjahanabad.

The urban landscapes of a large number of towns and cities were changed by the introduction of Civil Lines and Cantonments. The Civil Lines contained the administrative offices and courts as well as the residential areas for the officers. Cantonments were built during the late 19th and 20th century. Cantonments were originally built for housing British forces and officers. These two infrastructures constantly highlighted the distance British soldiers maintained from the Indian mass population.

In colonial cities like Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, the living areas of Indians and Britishers were largely separated. But it was not same in Delhi; the Britishers lived along with the wealthier Indians in the Walled City. Britishers learned to enjoy Urdu/Persian culture and poetry. They even participated in local festivals. They also established Delhi College in 1792. The period from 1830 to 1857 is known as period of Delhi renaissance.

In the mid-seventeenth century, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658) built the city that sometimes bears his name Shahjahanabad. Shahjahanabad was more commonly known as Old Delhi. This city contained a number of significant architectural features, including the Red Fort (Lal Qila) where even today Prime Minister of India addresses the nation on Independence Day and the Jama Masjid which is the considered to be the largest and grandest mosques of India.

Delhi was the capital of many rulers for more than 1000 years, before it became NEW DELHI.
Tomaras-Chauhans (736-1192)
Mamluks (1206-90)
Khilji (1290-1320)
Tughlaqs (1320-1413)
Sayyids (1414-51)
Lodhis (1451-1526) Mughals (1526-1857)
British (1857-1947)

Chandni Chowk provides a genuine example of cultural harmony as several famous religious shrines belonging to different religions exist here even today like Jama Masjid, Central Bapist church, Gauri Shankar temple, Gurudwara Sis Gunj etc. Many of the wholesale markets exist on this street where people from not only India but also from all over the world come for shopping. Some of the important markets are:

1. Nai Sarak for books, stationery items and musical instruments
2. Cloth Markets at Fatehpuri and the various Katras for textiles
3. Dariba Kalan and Kinari Bazaar for jewelry
4. Dariba Kalan for silver items
5. Chawri Bazaar for paper, stationary items and musical instruments
6. Ballimaran for shoes and opticians
7. Kinari Bazaar for Zardozi items and laces

Dargarh: The tomb of Sufi saint. Khanqah: A rest house for travellers and place for discussion among the people on spiritual matters. Idgah: An open space meant for prayer of Muslims. Cul-de-sac: Street with a dead end.

In Delhi, the ‘white people’ lived along with the wealthier Indians of the city, unlike Bombay or Madras, where there were separate living spaces for whites and blacks. After the rebellion of 1857, the British wanted Delhi to forget its Mughal past. Many gardens, pavilions and mosques were cleared and barracks for troops were built in their place. Walls of the city were broken to establish railway lines and allow the city to expand beyond the walls. Later, Delhi was planned as a brand new capital of the country in 1911 and the architecture was taken care of by Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker.

The Mughal aristocracy in the 17th century and 18th century lived in grand mansions which comprised of wall compounds, courtyards and fountains. They were called havelis. A haveli housed several families. On entering the haveli through a beautiful gateway, the person reached an open courtyard surrounded by public rooms meant for visitors. Many of the Mughal Amirs were unable to maintain these large establishments under conditions of British rule. Therefore, havelis began to be sold. Often the street front of the havelis became shops of warehouses. Some havelis were taken over by upcoming mercantile class but many fell into decay and disuse. The colonial bungalow being different from the havelis became popular as they were meant for nuclear families.

Delhi has been a capital for more than 1000 years with some gaps. 1) As many as 14 capital cities were founded in a small area about 60 square miles on the left bank of river Yamuna. The remaining of all other capitals may be seen on a visit to the modern city of Delhi. Of these, the most important are the capital cities built between the 12th and 17th century. The most splendid capital of all was built by Shahjahan. He started construction of Shahjahanabad in 1639.The Walled city comprised of beautifully built monuments, structures, The Red Fort and markets.

The literal meaning of the word is rebirth of art and learning. It is a term often used to describe a time where there was great creative thinking and activity. The period from 1830-1857 is considered the period of Delhi renaissance

At the end of the 19th century, the Shahjahani drains were closed and a new system of open surface drains was introduced. This system was also overburdened due to high population. The inhabitants complained about the stench from roadsides privies and overflowing drains. The Municipal Committee was unwilling to spend money on a good drainage system.

The Delhi College was established in 1792. It led to great intellectual flowering in the sciences as well as humanities, largely in the Urdu language.

Many factors were responsible for the decline of the havelis such as: Many of the Mughal Amirs were unable to maintain these large establishments under conditions of British rule. Therefore, havelis began to be sold. The colonial bungalow being different from the havelis became popular as they were meant for nuclear families.

The Durbar was held in Delhi to celebrate the coronation of King George V in England. At this durbar, it was decided to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi.

The British after 1857 wanted Delhi to forget its Mughal past. Therefore, many buildings, gardens and particularly mosques were put to several other uses or destroyed.

Lord Lytton in 1878 organised a grand Durbar to proclaim Queen Victoria as the Empress of India. Proclaimation of 1858 declared her as the Queen of India but no formal coronation was taken place. It was only in 1878 that her coronation was taken place.

a. The role of Delhi as a historical imperial town or city ended with the defeat of Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857.
b. The British had already established their control and did not take any interest in the development of Delhi as Calcutta was their capital.
c. Its laws and orders were badly hurt during the days of mutiny in 1857. Many people had shifted their bases from Delhi due to many reasons

Shahjanabad was a splendid city:
a. It consisted of a fort palace complex and the city adjoining it.
b. It had the Red fort made of sandstone, several dozen bazaars like Chandni Chowk and Faiz bazaars.
c. The Jama Masjid included was one of the largest and grandest mosques in India.

The decline of smaller states due to neglect and absence of development is called de-urbanization. In such a state the regional powers collapse and most of the population scatters to other places for survival. Example is cities such as Machlipatnam, Surat and Seringapatnam which were de-urbanized during British rule in the nineteenth century.

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

Delhi has been a capital for more than 1000 years with some gaps.
1) As many as 14 capital cities were founded in a small area about 60 square miles on the left bank of river Yamuna.
2) The remaining of all other capitals may be seen on a visit to the modern city of Delhi.
3) Of these, the most important are the capital cities built between the 12th and 17th century. The most splendid capital of all was built by Shahjahan. He started construction of Shahjahanabad in 1639.The Walled city comprised of beautifully built monuments, structures, The Red Fort and markets.

The Mughal aristocracy in the 17th century and 18th century lived in grand mansions which comprised of wall compounds, courtyards and fountains. They were called havelis. A haveli housed several families. On entering the haveli through a beautiful gateway, the person reached an open courtyard surrounded by public rooms meant for visitors. Many of the Mughal Amirs were unable to maintain these large establishments under conditions of British rule. Therefore, havelis began to be sold often the street front of the havelis became shops of warehouses. Some havelis were taken over by upcoming mercantile class but many fell into decay and disuse. The colonial bungalow being different from the havelis became popular as they were meant for nuclear families.

People in power of positions wanted to look down on others from above rather than up towards them from below.
1. The Britishers were of the opinion that people looking up to these buildings would realize the power of British.
2. that is why Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Secretariat buildings were constructed on Raisina Hill.

1. The area around the Red Fort was completely cleared of gardens, pavilions and mosques for security reasons.
2. Many of the Masjid were either closed or converted into bakeries.
3. No worship was allowed in the Jama Masjid for five years.
4. One third of the city was demolished.
5. Canals were filled up.
6. Western wall of Shahjahanabad was broken for establishment of Railway.
7. The Delhi College was turned into a school, and later closed down in 1877.

Because the Britishers wanted people of Delhi to forget its Mughal past and to prevent any other massive revolt like that of 1857.

1. The Delhi Improvement Trust was set up in 1936.
2. It built areas like Daryaganj South for wealthy Indians.
3. No worship was allowed in the Jama Masjid for five years.
4. New rules of privacy emerged.
5. Now big space shared by families together did not exist anymore.
6. Now different members of family had different rooms within the same home.