Explanations:During the British colonial period in India, the capital city was moved several times. The first capital of British India was Calcutta, which served as the administrative center from 1773 to 1911. This period is significant in the history of British India as it marked the establishment of the British East India Company's rule and the subsequent expansion of British influence across the subcontinent.
Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, was chosen as the capital due to its strategic location and its importance as a commercial and administrative hub. The city was the seat of the Governor-General of India, who was the highest-ranking British official in India. The British administration was centered in Calcutta, and it was from here that the British governed the entire subcontinent.
In 1911, the British decided to shift the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. This decision was made for several reasons, including the desire to move the capital away from the growing nationalist movement in Bengal and to establish a new capital that would symbolize British power and control. The construction of New Delhi began in 1911, and the capital was officially shifted to Delhi in 1931, with the inauguration of the new capital by Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India.
It is important to note that other cities such as Bombay (now Mumbai), Madras (now Chennai), and Benaras (now Varanasi) were significant in their own right but were never the capital of India during the British era. Bombay was a major commercial center, Madras was the capital of the Madras Presidency, and Benaras was a religious and cultural center. However, none of these cities served as the administrative capital of British India.
Understanding the historical context of the capital cities in British India is crucial for comprehending the political and administrative changes that occurred during the colonial period. This knowledge is often tested in competitive examinations and is essential for students of Indian history and geography.