Explanations:The capital of India was shifted from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi during the tenure of Lord Hardinge, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1910 to 1916. This decision was a significant administrative and symbolic move by the British colonial government to consolidate their rule and to establish a new center of power in the heart of the Indian subcontinent.
The shift of the capital was announced by King George V and Queen Mary during their visit to India in 1911. The decision was made to move the capital from Calcutta to Delhi for several reasons. Firstly, Calcutta was seen as a center of revolutionary activities and the British wanted to distance themselves from the political unrest. Secondly, Delhi was considered a more central location, which would facilitate better control over the vast Indian subcontinent. Lastly, the British wanted to establish a new capital that would symbolize their imperial power and legacy in India.
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 the Indian architect Herbert Baker. The construction of New Delhi was a massive undertaking that involved the building of several iconic structures, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly known as Viceroy's House), the Secretariat buildings, and the India Gate.
Lord Hardinge, as the Viceroy during this period, played a crucial role in the planning and execution of the capital shift. He was responsible for overseeing the initial stages of the construction and ensuring that the move was carried out smoothly. The shift of the capital was a significant event in the history of British India and marked a new phase in the colonial administration.
It is important to note that while other Viceroys such as Curzon, Minto, and Chelmsford were significant figures in the British colonial administration, they were not responsible for the decision to shift the capital to Delhi. Curzon is known for his administrative reforms and the partition of Bengal, Minto for the Morley-Minto Reforms, and Chelmsford for the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. However, the specific decision to shift the capital to Delhi was made during Lord Hardinge's tenure.