Question

Describe any five major changes brought about in Delhi by the British before the development of New Delhi.

Answer 1

1.
British Crown took over the administration of India from the East India Company. The Queen’s proclamation came on 1st November, 1858.

2.
The British abandoned the “Doctrine of Lapse” policy. They now decided to win over the native Princes and the Zamindars,who had been of immense help to the Britishers in suppressing the Revolt.

3.
All the zeal for social reforms got vanished. There was an opinion among large sections of Englishmen,that the Indians were beyond reform. No attempt was made again to interfere in the traditions of Indians,HINDUS and MUSLIMS alike.

4.
Racial discrimination got even more pronounced. News of the violence in the 1857 rebellion reached England.There,it enraged the Englishmen who began to despise Indians and demanded revenge. However,the then viceroy,Lord Canning tackled the situation in a mature manner. For this,he had to earn the derisive title of “CLEMENCY CANNING” from his countrymen.

5.
The unity of HINDUS and MUSLIMS in the Revolt had disturbed the British administrators. After the Revolt, the “DIVIDE AND RULE” policy was pursued more intensely. Initially, the Muslims were targeted and unspoken brutalities were committed against them.However, by the turn of 20th century, the HINDUS had become the new enemies,and the MUSLIMS were hailed as the friends of the Crown.