Question

Give explanations for the following (a) Why well-off Londoners supported the need to build housing for the poor in the nineteenth century. (b) Why a number of Bombay films were about the lives of migrants. (c) What led to the major expansion of Bombay’s population in the mid-nineteenth century.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

The well off Londoners supported the need to build housing for the poor in the nineteenth century because :

(i)   The one-room houses meant for the poor were turning out to be a major problem for public health as they had become overcrowded accompanied by poor ventilation and lack of sanitation.

(iii)  Poor ventilation often posed a threat for fire hazards.

(iii)  The aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917 created a sense of social disorder which made workers conscious about their rights.

(v)  In order to do away from any sort of rebellion by the poor, well off people advocated for better housing for the poor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A number of Bombay films were about the lives of migrants because

• When Surat was replaced by Bombay as its main port in the western front by the British administration it led to a spurt in the trade and industries activities which brought a huge flow of people.

• Most of the workers or actors  in the film industry had migrated from Gujarat, Lahore, Punjab, Calcutta, Madras and other parts of India. They tried to reflect the plight of these migrants through films.

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The major expansion of Bombay's population in the mid nineteenth century was because of the following reasons :

• After Surat was replaced by Bombay in the mid 17th century it became an important port for the East India Co in the western front. Soon by the end of the 19th century it turned out to be critical administrative as well as industrial centre.
• This led to development of many textile companies which provide jobs for the people.
• There were around 85 cotton mills employing 1.46,000 workers by 1921.

• Railways as well as maritime activities  also led to an influx of large number of people into the city.

• From a population of 6,44,405 in 1872 , Bombay saw an increase to nearly 1,500,000 in 1941.

Hope this helps.