examing the articutural and political important of colonial city
Answers
Political importance of colonial cities
The colonial cities in India like Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were originally fishing and weaving villages. Due to the economic activities of the East India Company they became important centres of trade. They gained political importance because the trading and administrative offices of the Company were established in these places.
By the middle of the nineteenth century the new rulers started controlling the country from these cities. They set up institutions to regulate economic activity and demonstrate their authority.
Architectural importance of colonial cities
The layouts of Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were quite different from the older Indian towns. The buildings in these cities bore the marks of colonial origin. The buildings reflected social relations and identities. For example, rich merchants lived in palatial houses, government officers lived in bungalows and the labourers lived in huts. There were separate areas for the military and civilians known as the cantonment and civil lines.