Question

how did the old city of Delhi change under the British rule?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Many changes took place during the British to the nature and character of Delhi since it became the capital in 1911. Some of the important changes are:

1. Unlike other cities like Calcutta and Madras, initially, the British lived alongside the wealthy residents of Delhi in the walled city. This helped in many British adopting Urdu and Persian as a language and appreciating the beauty of the Indian languages.
2. The Delhi College was established in 1792 which was a centre for studies in humanities, languages and science.
3. In order to erase the Mughal memory and impact on the minds of Indians, many clearing activities were undertaken. Gardens, pavilions and mosques around the fort were destroyed. Some mosques like Zinat-al-Masjid was converted into a bakery. Prayer was not allowed at Jamma Masjid for over 5 years. Canals were filled up and thus, the beauty of the old city of Delhi was destroyed.
4. The walls on the west of Shahjahanabad were broken and railway was laid in the1870s.
5. The British began to reside in the Civil Lines away from the Hindus and Muslims.
6. After shifting the capital to Delhi in 1911, a new city New Delhi was planned and constructed on and around the Raisina Hill. Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker planned and laid out the new city, its buildings like the present day Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House and the Secreteriat buildings. Avenues like the Rajpath were laid out. New Delhi had better water supply, drainage and sewage disposal making it hygenic and clean in contrast with the Old City. New Delhi took 20 years to be built.

Answer 2

Answer:

• The Old City of Delhi was constructed as a walled city with 14 gates, adjoining a fort-palace complex, with the river Jamuna flowing near it.

• The city was characterised by mosques, havelis, crowded mohallas, narrow and winding lanes and bylanes and water channels.
• The British gained control of Delhi in 1803.
• Before the revolt of 1857, the British adjusted themselves to the Mughal culture of the Old City by living in the Walled City, enjoying Urdu/Persian culture and poetry, and participating in local festivals.
• The Delhi College was established in 1792, which led to a great intellectual flowering in the sciences as well as the humanities.
• However, after the revolt, they embarked on a mission to rid the city of its Mughal past.
• They razed several palaces, closed down gardens and built barracks for troops in their place.

• For security reasons, the area around the Red Fort was completely cleared of gardens, pavilions and mosques.
• Mosques in particular were either destroyed or put to other uses.
• No worship was allowed in the Jama Masjid for five years. One-third of the city was demolished, and its canals were filled up.
• In the 1870s, the Western walls of Shahjahanabad were broken to establish the railway and to allow the city to expand beyond the walls.
• The sprawling Civil Lines area came up in the North of the city.
• This was the place where the British began living.
• The Delhi College was turned into a school, and shut down in 1877.
• The British constructed a new city, known as New Delhi, South of the Old City.
• Built as a complete contrast to the Old City, New Delhi became the centre of power.
• The Old City, meanwhile, was pushed into neglect.