CBSE Class 12 History Colonial Cities Urbanization Planning and Architecture Assignment Set B

Very Short Answer Questions :

Question. Why did the British take upon themselves the task of town planning?
Answer: (1) The British wanted to live in separate and protected settlements away from Indians.
(2) They wanted clean and hygienic city free from all diseases.

Question. What were the aims of census?
Answer: (1) To study urbanization
(2) To know historical changes.

Question. Distinguish the society in the new colonial cities.
Answer: within the new cities new social groups were formed.

Question. Why was the colonial government keen on mapping of Indian cities from the early years?
Answer: Maps were made to plan the development of towns.

Short Answer Questions :

Question. How did prominent Indian merchants establish themselves in colonial city?
Answer: (1) With the expansion of British power in India, the Indian merchants, middlemen and suppliers of goods became part of the cities.
(2) With the expansion of railway the Indian merchants started establishing their industries in the cities.
(3) The rich Indian agents and middlemen got built courtyard houses near bazaars.
(4) Indian merchants purchased large tract of land in the cities for future investment and profit.
(5) They started copying western style of life.

Question. To what extent were social relations transformed in the new cities?
Answer: (1) Lacked the coherence,
(2) Extreme poverty and extreme prosperity,
(3) People got opportunities of meeting.
(4) New social groups,
(5) Demands of many professionals,
(6) Spread of middle class,
(7) Expression of views through various means,
(8) Growth of general awareness, influence of woman,
(9) Changes in traditional norms. Poor people have own culture; many struggles in life.

Question. Mention any 2 reasons for the British to take upon themselves the task of town planning in Bengal.
Answer: In the very beginning The British were inspired by a vision of good town planning they formed regulation for urban land use.
a) Concern for defense- they needed defense against local rulers. Siraj –ud-Daulah the Nawab of Bengal, attacked Calcutta in 1756. He attacked their fort.
b) Construction of another fort –Siraj-ud-Daulah was defeated in the Battle of Plassey in 1757. So they decided to construct a new fort –Fort William.

Question. How were urban centres transformed during the 18th century?
Answer: (1) With the decline of Mughal power, the towns associated with their administration started declining.
(2) The regional capitals Lucknow, Hyderabad, Seringapatam, and Poona started gaining importance.
(3) The traders, administrators, artisans and other people, in search of work and patronage, began to reside in new capitals.
(4) With acquiring political control, the East India Company rapidly developed Madras, Calcutta and Bombay.

Question. What were the kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city? What functions did they serve?
Answer: (1) The new colonial cities were centres of political authority and economic activities.
(2) For commercial activities godowns, mercantile offices, insurance agencies, transport depots and banking establishments were established.
(3) The major colonial cities served as port cities. Ships were loaded and deloaded there.
(4) Main administrative offices of the company were established away from the seashore.
(5) Because of the rapid expansion of the railway colonial cities were linked with rest of India. Railway stations, railway workshops and railway colonies started emerging in cities.
(6) Hill stations were developed for billeting troop, guarding frontiers and mounting attack on enemy. They also functioned as a sanitorium.
(7) Public places like the town halls, parks and cinema halls started coming into existence.
(8) Forts, government offices, educational institutions, religious structures, and commercial depots were constructed for growing economy.
(9) British constructed clubs for meeting and entertainment.