Explanation: To understand the historical context of the capital of the Union of India, it is essential to trace the evolution of the administrative centers in British India. 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 centralization of British control over India, and Calcutta became the seat of the Governor-General of India, effectively making it the capital of British India.
Calcutta's status as the capital was maintained until 1911, when the British government decided to shift the capital to New Delhi. This decision was influenced by several factors, including the desire to move the capital away from the volatile region of Bengal, which was at the center of the Indian independence movement, and to establish a new capital that would symbolize British power and control.
The shift to New Delhi was part of a broader strategy to consolidate British rule and to create a new administrative center that would be more centrally located within the vast expanse of British India. The construction of New Delhi began in 1912, and it was officially inaugurated as the capital in 1931.
During the period between 1911 and 1931, while New Delhi was under construction, Calcutta continued to serve as the de facto capital of the Union of India. This transition period highlights the gradual shift in administrative and political power within the British colonial framework.
Understanding the historical context of the capital cities in India is crucial for comprehending the political and administrative changes that occurred during the colonial period and the early years of the Union of India. It also provides insight into the strategic decisions made by the British to maintain control over the diverse and vast territories of India.
In summary, Calcutta was the capital of the Union of India before the shift to New Delhi in 1911, marking a significant period in the history of British India and the early years of the Union of India.