What were the concerns that influenced town planning in the nineteenth century?
(i)Two concerns which influenced the town planning in the nineteenth century were defence and health.
(ii)In many towns British built forts to protect their factories. Around the fort a vast open space was left open. This vast space was known as the Maidan.
(iii)It was done so that there would be no obstructions to a straight line of fire from the Fort against an advancing enemy.
(iv)Attempts were also made to improve the sanitation and cleanliness by creating open spaces in the city.
(v)For this purpose, in Calcutta many bazaars, ghats and burial grounds were cleared.
What were the new kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city? What functions did they serve?
On an outline map of India, trace the major rivers and hill ranges. Plot ten cities mentionedin the chapter, including Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, and prepare a brief note on why the importance of any two cities that you have marked (one colonial and one pre-colonial) changed in the nineteenth century.
To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context?
To what extent were social relations transformed in the new cities?
What do the terms “White” and “Black” Town signify?
How did prominent Indian merchants establish themselves in the colonial city?
How were urban centres transformed during the eighteenth century?
Examine how concerns of defence and health gave shape to Calcutta.
What are the different colonial architectural styles which can be seen in Bombay city?
Why was the jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal?
Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?
What did the Muslim League demand through its resolution of 1940?
What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
How did zamindars manage to retain control over their zamindaris?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants?
Why did some people think of Partition as a very sudden development?
How was the term minority defined by different groups?
How did ordinary people view Partition?
Why is Partition viewed as an extremely significant marker in South Asian history?
How did women experience Partition?
Why was the jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal?
How did the Congress come to change its views on Partition?
What historical forces shaped the vision of the Constitution?
Why was British India partitioned?
Examine any two sources presented in the chapter, choosing one visual and one text, and discuss how these represent the point of view of the victor and the vanquished.
What were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces?
In what way did Mahatma Gandhi transform the nature of the national movement?