Features of Colonial Cities

Features of Colonial Cities: Maintenance of Statistical Data, Mapping and Survey

Importance of Data and Mapping: 

• It was necessary for the British to keep meticulous records of their trading activity in order to maintain control over their business dealings
• They conducted regular surveys, acquired statistical data, and produced a variety of official publications in order to keep track of life in the rapidly expanding urban areas

Mapping as a source to consolidate power:

• It was considered that good maps were required in order to comprehend the terrain and understand the topography
• Because of this knowledge, the region may be more effectively controlled. When settlements began to grow, maps were drawn out not only to plan the growth of these towns, but also to promote commerce and consolidate authority in the surrounding area

Municipal corporation and Taxes: 

• Using mapping, municipal corporations could display the position of ghats, the quantity and quality of houses, and the alignment of roadways, which could then be used to assess commercial opportunities and design taxing methods
• The British attempted to raise money for the administration of towns by collecting municipal taxes in a systematic and annual manner
• It was intended for organisations like the municipal corporation to oversee vital services such as water supply, sewerage, road construction, and public health
• Municipal corporations were intended to have some popular representation

Census: 

• By the middle of the nineteenth century, a number of local censuses had been conducted in various parts of the country
• In 1872, an attempt was made to conduct the first all-India census
• Following that, starting in 1881, decennial (every ten years) censuses became a regular component of government life

Trends of Change

Growth of Colonial cities at the expense of smaller towns: 

• While Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras developed rapidly and quickly expanded into sprawling metropolises, the smaller towns had little potential to develop economically during this period
• When these three cities grew in importance as new economic and administrative centres, it came at the expense of other existing urban centres in the region

Status of new cities from export hub to dump ground of manufactured goods: 

• They served as collection depots for the export of Indian manufactured goods since they were the focal point of the colonial economy 
• However, this trend was reversible, and these cities instead became the entry points for goods created in the United Kingdom

Impact of Introduction of Railways: 

• The installation of railways in 1853 resulted in a significant shift in the fortunes of citie
• Every railway station was transformed into a raw materials gathering point as well as a distribution hub for imported commodities 
• Railway towns such as Jamalpur, Walt Air, and Bareilly grew in importance
• Traditional towns, which were positioned along ancient routes and rivers, had their economic activity gradually shift away from them

Features of the New Colonial Towns

Ports, forts and centres for services: 

• By the 18th century, the ports of Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay had established themselves as prominent trading centres 
• The English East India Company constructed its factories and fortified these communities as a means of protecting itself from pirates

Racial Distinction of White Town and Black Town: 

• From the beginning, there were separate quarters for Europeans and Indians, which came to be known as the “White Town” and the “Black Town,” respectively, in contemporary chronicles
• As soon as the British gained governmental control, these ethnic disparities became much more pronounced

Setting up of modern factories: 

• Given that raw materials were being delivered to these towns for export and that there was an abundant supply of inexpensive labour available, it was practical to establish modern factories in these locations
• The establishment of cotton mills in Bombay began in the 1850s thanks to the efforts of Indian merchants and entrepreneurs. India’s modern industrial development began at this point, marking the commencement of the modern industrial revolution

Economy based on tertiary sector: 

• The economy of these cities were not largely centred on the manufacture of goods for sale in factories
• When it comes to employment, the majority of the working population in these cities belonged to what economists refer to as the tertiary industry
• Consequently, India was never able to develop into a modern industrialised country due to discriminatory colonial laws that restricted the levels of industrial development across the subcontinent

A New Urban Environment

As political authority and patronage transferred from Indian monarchs to the East India Company, the mercantile culture of the new rulers was reflected in the cities of the colonial world. The character of the colonial metropolis continued to evolve during the mid-19th century.

Lesson from Revolt of 1857: 

• Following the Revolt of 1857, British attitudes toward India were determined by a persistent dread of insurrection by the people
• Pasturelands and agricultural fields surrounding older towns were removed, and new urban spaces known as “Civil Lines” were established as safe havens for British citizens

Creation of Black Areas: 

• The “Black” districts came to represent not just turmoil and anarchy, but also filth and sickness in the eyes of the British people

Sanitation measures in fear of spread of disease from Black areas: 

• Strict administrative procedures for hygiene were introduced in the Indian towns during the 1860s and 1870s, and building activity in the Indian towns was strictly supervised 
• The installation of underground piped water supply, sewerage, and drainage systems occurred around the same time period as well
• In this sense, sanitation surveillance became yet another tool for managing Indian towns

Racial exclusiveness everywhere: 

• Racially exclusive clubs, racetracks, and theatres were also constructed for the ruling class’s enjoyment

Conclusion

The social scene in these new cities was completely unfamiliar. It was made up of wealthy individuals and the poorest of the poor. With the advancement of transportation technology, people’s social lives have undergone a number of significant transformations. With the emergence of new cities, the importance of the middle class began to rise. They were exposed to numerous new job opportunities, which resulted in a significant shift in their perception and outlook. In these towns, new identities and social groups emerged, as well as new economic opportunities. A great deal of new change has occurred in the lives of people. The lives of women who live in urban areas have undergone significant transformations. They were exposed to numerous new employment opportunities, which resulted in significant shifts in their perception and outlook.