Explanations:The history of India's capital cities is closely tied to the political and administrative changes that occurred during the colonial period. Before the British colonial era, various dynasties and empires had their capitals in different parts of the subcontinent. For instance, the Mughal Empire had its capital in Agra and later in Delhi, while the Marathas had their capital in Pune.
During the British colonial period, the capital of India was initially in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Calcutta was chosen as the capital in 1772 by the British East India Company, which was the administrative center for the British in India. The city served as the capital for nearly 140 years, during which time it was a hub of political, economic, and cultural activities.
However, in 1911, the British government decided to shift the capital from Calcutta to New Delhi. This decision was influenced by several factors, 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 1912, and it was officially inaugurated as the capital in 1931.
Therefore, in 1908, the capital of India was indeed Calcutta (now Kolkata). This historical fact is important for understanding the political and administrative landscape of India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It also highlights the significant changes that occurred in the governance and administration of the country during the colonial period.