Explanations:The capital of British India was shifted from Kolkata to Delhi in 1911. This decision was made during the Delhi Durbar, a grand imperial event held in Delhi to celebrate the coronation of King George V as the Emperor of India. The shift of the capital was a significant event in the history of British India and had several underlying reasons.
One of the primary reasons for the shift was the desire to centralize the administration. Kolkata, being in the eastern part of India, was considered too far from the center of the subcontinent. Delhi, located in the northern part of India, was seen as a more central location, which would facilitate better control over the vast and diverse regions of the empire.
Another reason for the shift was the growing nationalist movement in Bengal. The partition of Bengal in 1905 had led to widespread protests and a surge in nationalist sentiment. By moving the capital to Delhi, the British aimed to reduce the influence of the nationalist movement in Bengal and to distance themselves from the center of the agitation.
The decision to shift the capital was announced by King George V during the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The Durbar was a grand ceremony that brought together the British royal family, Indian princes, and high-ranking officials. The announcement of the capital shift was a significant part of the Durbar proceedings and marked a new phase in the administration of British India.
It is important to note that the shift of the capital was not an immediate process. The construction of the new capital, New Delhi, took several years 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 modernity.
Understanding the historical context of the capital shift is crucial for comprehending the broader political and administrative changes that occurred during the British rule in India. The shift from Kolkata to Delhi was not just a geographical move but also a strategic decision that reflected the changing dynamics of colonial administration and the growing nationalist movement in India.