CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6: Colonialism and the City NCERT Solutions

(a) True. The growth of industries led to the expansion and development of cities in the Western world.

(b) False. Surat and Machlipatnam were important trading centres that developed much earlier, and their significance declined in the nineteenth century due to shifts in trade patterns.

(c) False. In the twentieth century, the majority of Indians continued to live in villages, with urbanisation being a gradual process.

(d) True. Following the Revolt of 1857, the Jama Masjid was taken over by the British, and worship was prohibited for five years.

(e) False. Significantly more resources and attention were directed towards the development and cleaning of New Delhi, the new administrative capital, compared to the older, more crowded Old Delhi.

(a) The first structure to successfully use the dome was called the Central dome.

(b) The two architects who designed New Delhi were Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker. (Note: Shahjahanabad was designed by Shah Jahan, not Lutyens and Baker).

(c) The British saw overcrowded spaces as Unhygienic and a source of disease.

(d) In 1888 an extension scheme called the Lahore Gate Improvement Scheme was devised to manage the expansion and development of the city.

Three key differences in the city design of New Delhi and Shahjahanabad are:

1. Density and Layout: Shahjahanabad was characterized by its crowded mohallas (neighbourhoods) and a complex network of narrow, winding by-lanes, along with numerous bazaars. In contrast, New Delhi was designed with spacious avenues, less crowding, and a more orderly, less maze-like layout.
2. Planning and Intent: Shahjahanabad was not established with the meticulous, grid-like planning seen in modern cities; its growth was more organic. New Delhi, however, was a product of deliberate, large-scale urban planning, designed to be a grand administrative capital.
3. Atmosphere and Order: Shahjahanabad often experienced a sense of chaos due to its dense population and narrow streets. New Delhi was intended to represent a sense of law, order, and imperial grandeur, with wide, tree-lined roads and monumental architecture.

In colonial cities like Madras, the 'white' areas, which were typically well-maintained and segregated, were primarily inhabited by the British and other Europeans.

De-urbanisation is a historical process where cities and towns experience a decline in population and economic activity, leading to more people moving back to rural or village areas. In the context of late 18th century India, this occurred as the British established new centres of power like Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. Consequently, many older trading centres and ports, which could no longer compete with the new centres, declined. Similarly, earlier centres of regional power collapsed after the defeat of local rulers by the British. This shift away from older urban centres towards new ones, or a general decline in urban significance for many towns, is described as de-urbanisation.

The British chose to hold a grand Durbar in Delhi for strategic and symbolic reasons, even though it was not their administrative capital. During the Revolt of 1857, they realised the enduring importance and symbolic power of the Mughal emperor in the eyes of the Indian people, who often viewed him as their leader. By celebrating British power with great pomp and ceremony in Delhi, the historical seat of Mughal rule, the British aimed to impress upon the populace their own supreme authority and legitimacy. This display was intended to acknowledge the past while firmly establishing their present dominance.

The Old City of Delhi, Shahjahanabad, underwent significant transformations under British rule, aimed at erasing its Mughal past and imposing colonial order. The British cleared large areas around the Red Fort, demolishing gardens, pavilions, and even mosques, or repurposing them for their own use (e.g., Zinat-al-Masjid as a bakery). Worship was banned in Jama Masjid for five years. Approximately one-third of the city was demolished, and its water canals were filled. In the 1870s, the western walls of Shahjahanabad were breached to facilitate the construction of the railway and allow urban expansion. The British established their own exclusive residential areas, the Civil Lines, in the north, separate from the Indian population in the Walled City. Furthermore, institutions like Delhi College were converted into schools and eventually shut down.

The partition of India in 1947 had a profound and transformative impact on Delhi. It triggered a massive migration of populations across the newly drawn border, leading to a sudden and dramatic increase in Delhi's population. A large number of migrants, predominantly from Punjab, arrived, settling in temporary camps, schools, and eventually in newly established refugee colonies like Lajpat Nagar and Tilak Nagar. Some were allocated residences vacated by Muslims who had migrated to Pakistan. This demographic shift altered the city's culture and social fabric. The migrants came from diverse backgrounds, including landlords, lawyers, teachers, and traders, but many had to adapt to new occupations such as hawkers, vendors, carpenters, and ironsmiths to survive in the changed circumstances.

This question requires a personal investigation into the history of your local town or city. To answer it, you would need to research its origins, the factors that contributed to its growth (e.g., trade routes, administrative importance, industrial development), and significant changes over time. Consider looking into the evolution of its markets (bazaars), architectural styles of buildings, the establishment and changes in cultural institutions like schools, libraries, or community centres, and the development of different residential settlements. Comparing this local history with the broader patterns discussed in the chapter, such as planned vs. organic growth, colonial influence, or post-independence development, can provide valuable insights.

To answer this question, you should first list at least ten occupations present in your locality. For example, in a village, common occupations might include farming, fishing, teaching, carpentry, grocery retail, vending, weaving, cattle rearing, blacksmithing, and barber services. After listing them, investigate how long each occupation has existed in your area. This involves understanding whether they are traditional occupations passed down through generations or relatively new ones. For instance, farming and blacksmithing are often ancient occupations, while roles like IT support or specialized retail might be more recent. Observing the longevity and evolution of these occupations reveals much about the area's changes: the persistence of traditional livelihoods, the adoption of new technologies (like tractors replacing ploughs in farming), the impact of education and awareness on skill development, and the integration of modern economic activities alongside older ones. This analysis helps understand the socio-economic transformation of the region.