Explanations:The capital of India was shifted from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi in 1911 during the British colonial period. This decision was made by King George V and announced at the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The shift was part of a broader strategy by the British to centralize their administrative control and to move the capital away from the revolutionary activities that were gaining momentum in Calcutta.
The decision to shift the capital was made in the context of the growing nationalist movement in India. The British government felt that Calcutta, being the center of the Indian National Congress and other revolutionary activities, was not a suitable location for the capital. Delhi, on the other hand, was seen as a more central and strategic location, and it had historical significance as the seat of several empires in India.
The announcement of the capital shift was made during the Delhi Durbar, a grand imperial ceremony held in December 1911. The Durbar was a significant event in the history of British India, marking the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India. The decision to shift the capital was announced during this ceremony, and it was a clear indication of the British government's intention to consolidate their control over the Indian subcontinent.
The construction of the new capital, New Delhi, began in 1912 and was completed in 1931. The new capital was designed by the British architect Edwin Lutyens and was intended to be a symbol of British imperial power and a showcase of modern urban planning. The shift of the capital to Delhi was a significant event in the history of India and marked a new phase in the relationship between the British and the Indian people.
It is important to note that the capital shift was not an immediate process. While the decision was made in 1911, the actual transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi took place in 1912, with the Viceroy's House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) being inaugurated in 1929. The new capital was officially inaugurated by Viceroy Lord Irwin on February 13, 1931.
Understanding the historical context of the capital shift is crucial for comprehending the broader political and social dynamics of the British colonial period in India. The shift was not just a geographical move but also a symbolic one, reflecting the changing power dynamics and the British strategy to maintain control over the Indian subcontinent.