Question

Why did the british choose to hold a grand durbar in delhi although it was not the capital?

Answer 1

Viceroy Lytton organised a Durbar to acknowledge Queen Victoria as the Empress of India and to underline the fact that the British were in power and not the Mughol, During the Revolt of 1857, the British realised that the Mughal emperor was still important to the people and they saw him as their leader. So, to let him down, they organised durbar in Delhi with pomp and show in the city the Mughal emperors had earlier ruled. This was meant to show the British power at the place which had turned into a rebel stronghold in 1857 Viceroy Lytton organised a Durbar to acknowledge Queen Victoria as the Empress of India and to underline the fact that the British were in power and not the Mughals.

Answer 2

the British were very scared by the repeated attempts by India to gain freedom.they wanted to show id that real power lays with british and not india. at that time the national capital was callcutta.but later Delhi wa declared as the indian capital.