Explanation: The history of the capital of India during the British Raj is an important aspect of Indian colonial history. The British East India Company established Calcutta as the capital of British India in 1773, following the Regulating Act of 1773. This act was a significant step in the British government's efforts to control the East India Company's activities in India. Calcutta, located in the eastern part of India, served as the administrative center for the British East India Company and later the British government in India until 1911.
The decision to shift the capital from Calcutta to Delhi was made by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, in 1911. The reasons for this shift were multifaceted. Delhi was considered a more central location, which would facilitate better control over the vast Indian subcontinent. Additionally, the British wanted to move away from the Bengali influence in Calcutta, which was a center of the Indian independence movement. The construction of New Delhi as the new capital was a massive project that took several years to complete, and it was officially inaugurated in 1931.
Understanding the historical context of the capital's shift is crucial for comprehending the broader political and administrative changes during the British Raj. It reflects the British strategy to consolidate their power and control over India, as well as the evolving nature of colonial administration. The shift from Calcutta to Delhi also symbolizes the changing dynamics of Indian nationalism and the growing resistance to British rule.
In summary, Calcutta was the capital of India during the British Raj from 1773 to 1911, after which the capital was moved to Delhi. This historical fact is significant for understanding the administrative and political landscape of colonial India.