How Delhi became the new capital of British India

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Context:

December 12 marks a pivotal moment in Indian history, as it commemorates the 1911 announcement by King George V transferring the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi, an event that laid the foundation of modern India’s political centre.

Location of Delhi:

Delhi is situated in northern India and is bordered by the States of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, occupying a strategic position along the left bank of the Yamuna River. Its central location has historically made it a focal point of political power and administration.

Historical background of Delhi:

Delhi is not a single city but a layered historical landscape, often described as a palimpsest, reflecting over 3,500 years of continuous urban history. Across different periods, rulers founded, abandoned, destroyed, and rebuilt cities within a compact area of nearly 60 square miles, resulting in the emergence of multiple capitals over time.

Multiple Capitals of Delhi: Nearly fourteen capital cities were established in and around present-day Delhi.

• The most prominent capitals emerged between the twelfth and seventeenth centuries.
• The most magnificent among them was Shahjahanabad, founded by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639.

Shahjahanabad (The Mughal Capital): Shahjahanabad was planned as an imperial capital comprising a fort–palace complex and an adjoining city.

• The Red Fort (Lal Qila), built of red sandstone, housed the royal palace.
• To its west lay the walled city, protected by fourteen gates.
• Chandni Chowk and Faiz Bazaar served as major arterial roads, wide enough for royal processions, with a canal running through Chandni Chowk.
• Delhi during this period also flourished as a centre of Sufi culture, with numerous dargahs, khanqahs, and idgahs, along with open squares, water channels, and residential lanes forming an integrated urban fabric.

Imperial Durbars at Delhi: Delhi gained renewed prominence under British rule as the site of Imperial Durbars, ceremonial assemblies symbolising imperial authority.

• 1877 Durbar: Organised by Lord Lytton to proclaim Queen Victoria as Empress of India.
• 1903 Durbar: Held under Lord Curzon to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII.
• 1911 Durbar: The most significant, where King George V announced the transfer of the British capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
  Delhi was chosen for these events due to its long-standing association with imperial power and royal ceremonies.

What are the reasons for shifting the capital from Calcutta to Delhi?

The decision to move the capital was influenced by multiple political and administrative factors:

• The political unrest following the Partition of Bengal (1905) weakened Calcutta’s suitability as a capital.
• Constitutional reforms under the Indian Councils Act, 1909, necessitated administrative reorganisation.
• Delhi’s central location and historical legitimacy as a seat of power strengthened the case for relocation.

Making of New imperial capital:

The capital shift was accompanied by the decision to build an entirely new city—New Delhi—to reflect British imperial authority.

• Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, two renowned British architects, were chosen to design the new capital.
• The city was planned around Raisina Hill, envisioned as the power corridor of British India.
• Monumental buildings such as the Viceroy’s House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) and the Council House (now Parliament House) formed the core of the new administrative district.

Delays in making: Although the foundation stone was laid in 1911, construction faced major setbacks due to World War I, which caused funding shortages and labour constraints.

• The project regained momentum after the war.
• After nearly two decades of planning and construction, New Delhi was formally inaugurated in 1931.
• One of the final ceremonial acts was the unveiling of the All-India War Memorial, today known as India Gate.

Delhi in Independent India:

Post-Independence, Delhi retained its central role as the seat of India’s Parliament, Presidency, and executive authority, evolving into a city that blends ancient heritage with modern governance.

Conclusion:

Delhi’s journey as India’s capital reflects the continuity of power, history, and governance across centuries. From ancient imperial cities to its selection as the British capital in 1911 and its role in independent India, Delhi has evolved into a political and administrative hub that blends rich historical legacy with modern democratic institutions.

Source: Firstpost