

What is Colonialism?
“Control by one power over a dependent territory or people” is how colonialism is characterised. In actuality, colonialism occurs when one country invades and conquers another, claims the territory as its own, and sends people to reside there as "settlers."
Even though the phrases colonialism and imperialism are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. Imperialism is described as a collection of policies or practices that extend a country's influence and control over other countries' political, economic, and cultural lives. Imperialism may be defined as the philosophy or reasoning that underpins colonial efforts.
Types of Colonialism
The various types of colonialism are given below:
Settler Colonialism
Settler colonialism is characterised by large-scale immigration for religious, political, or economic reasons. Its primary goal is to supplant any existing population. A huge number of individuals emigrate to the colony to remain and farm the land. Settler-colonial societies include Australia, Canada, the United States, apartheid South Africa (and, to a lesser extent, Israel).
Settler Colonialism
Exploitation Colonialism
This type of colonialism, also known as Planter colonialism or Extractive colonialism, employs fewer colonists and focuses on extracting natural resources or labour for the benefit of the metropole. This category covers trade stations as well as bigger colonies with colonists serving as the majority of the political and economic leadership. When indigenous labour was unavailable before the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and broad abolition, slaves were frequently transported to the Americas, first by the Portuguese, then by the Spanish, Dutch, French, and British.
Exploitation Colonialism
Surrogate Colonialism
Surrogate colonialism refers to a colonial authority's assistance for a settlement project in which the majority of the settlers are not from the same ethnic group as the governing power.
Surrogate Colonialism
Internal Colonialism
Internal colonialism is the concept of unequal structural power distribution within a state. The cause of exploitation is the state itself. Control and exploitation may transfer from people in the colonising nation to an immigrant population inside a newly independent country, as evidenced by the way control and exploitation may people from the colonising country are transferred to an immigrant population of a newly independent country.
Internal Colonialism
National Colonialism
National colonialism is a combination of settler and domestic colonialism in which nation-building and colonisation are inextricably linked, with the colonial authority attempting to reconstruct conquered peoples in their own cultural and political image. The objective is to integrate them into society, but only in the sense that they represent the state's favoured culture. The Republic of China in Taiwan is the quintessential national-colonialist state.
National Colonialism
Trade Colonialism
Controlling the colony's commercial connections is the emphasis of Trade Colonialism. The British commercial coercion in China during the 1842 Opium war, which forced the opening of more ports for international commerce, is an excellent example of trade colonialism.
Trade Colonialism
How Colonialism Shaped the World?
It's easy to dismiss colonialism as a relic of the past, but we all live in a society influenced by the cruel and violent conquests of the past. The theft of land, resources, and people from former colonies is responsible for the wealth and success of what was once the world's most powerful colonial powers.
According to Walter Rodney's book How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, the continent's systemic poverty can be traced back to European colonialism and resource extraction. In exchange for gaining independence from France, Haiti was forced to pay $21 billion in reparations to France to offset the cost of France's losses during the Haitian Revolution. The cost of lost slaves was factored into this estimate. Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, paid France its final bill in 1947.
Native reservations in the United States have extremely high rates of poverty, alcoholism, unemployment, and suicide. These are the consequences of historical trauma, as defined by Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, a social worker and professor: intergenerational emotional and psychological harm.
The brutality of colonial thought continues to affect the paths of former conquerors. Colonizers thought the world was theirs to take, that Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour were disposable and that nothing was more important than the money in their pockets. The world's wealthiest countries continue to monopolise the planet's resources, and their never-ending drive for profit continues to take precedence over the needs of the majority of people.
Indian City under Colonialism
During the British administration in India, the presidential cities were Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. As a result, the British centred their control on these three states. When the centres moved to India's presidency states, all of the commercial routes began to decline. As a result of the regional dominance, local traders and markets disappeared. As a result, de-urbanisation occurs.
Delhi, the capital of India was formerly known as the Delhi Sultanate and was the seat of several powerful dynasties. During the Mahabharata era, Delhi was known as "the city of God Indra." Great emperors such as King Ashoka and King Kumar Gupta built important buildings in this city. As a result, Delhi has a lot of important infrastructures.
On its land, Delhi has around 15 settlements and has undergone various changes. Surajkund, Siri, Indraprastha, Lalkot, Tughulqabad, Jahapanana, Firozabad, Dinpanah, Shahjahanabad, and New Delhi were among the settlements on this territory. Delhi is the capital of our country since it is home to numerous towns.
The Story of an Imperial Capital - Delhi
On the left bank of the river Jamuna, which is now known as Delhi, about 14 capital cities were established.
Shahjahanabad, founded by Shah Jahan I in 1639, was the most magnificent and well-known of the 14 cities.
The Red Fort, also known as the Lal Quila, was a royal complex in Shahjahanabad.
The city's main roadways, Chandni Chowk and Faiz Bazaar went through the heart of the city, and the great Jama Masjid, India's biggest mosque, was located there.
A mohalla is a neighbourhood in a town or city.
During Shah Jahan's reign, Delhi was also a centre of Sufi culture.
It had several Sufi lodges known as Khanqahs, open prayer sites known as Idgahs, and Sufi saints' tombs known as dargahs.
Delhi City
In Delhi, there was a clear divide between the rich and the poor.
Under British control, Delhi did not have the status of a major city at first.
The presidential cities of Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras gained significance in the 18th century.
Under British rule, trade shifted to the presidency cities, which grew in importance, while smaller cities, ancient ports, and commercial centres collapsed.
The British defeated local rulers and established new administrative centres, causing the previous regional power centres to crumble.
By the early twentieth century, just 11% of the Indian population lived in cities.
When it was named the capital of British India in 1911, Delhi earned even greater prominence in modern times.
Conclusion
Thus, in this article we have covered Colonialism and its various types, about its role in the world as well as on Delhi which was part of British India. The colonial power is seen as seeking to rebuild conquered peoples in their own cultural and political image. They used to exercise their control in all terms in another country such as economically, culturally and politically.
FAQs on Colonialism and The City
1. What does the term 'colonialism' mean in the context of Indian history?
In the context of Indian history, colonialism refers to the period when Britain established political and economic control over India. This process involved one country subjugating another, leading to fundamental changes in the colonised nation's social, political, economic, and cultural life. The primary aim was to exploit India's resources for the benefit of Britain, treating India as a colony.
2. How did the establishment of British colonial rule lead to the 'de-urbanisation' of some Indian cities?
De-urbanisation occurred as older, pre-colonial trading centres and ports declined. With the rise of British power, trade shifted to new colonial port cities like Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras. As a result, historic centres of commerce and power, such as Surat, Machilipatnam, and Murshidabad, lost their importance, wealth, and population, leading to their gradual decline or de-urbanisation.
3. What were the key features of the new colonial cities like Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras?
The new colonial cities were characterised by distinct planning and architecture that reflected British authority. Key features included:
Segregated Spaces: Cities were often divided into a 'White Town' for Europeans and a 'Black Town' for Indians.
New Institutions: They became centres of colonial administration, trade, and education, with new buildings like forts, government offices, and clubs.
Economic Hubs: These port cities were crucial for exporting raw materials from India and importing finished goods from Britain.
4. When and why did the British shift their capital from Calcutta to Delhi?
The British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. The decision was announced by King George V at the Delhi Durbar. The primary reason was that Delhi was the historic capital of many previous empires in India, including the Mughals. Shifting the capital to Delhi was a symbolic gesture to project the British as the legitimate and powerful successors to the Mughal rulers, thus strengthening their imperial authority.
5. How was the design of New Delhi different from the old city of Shahjahanabad?
New Delhi and Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) were vastly different in their design and purpose. Shahjahanabad was a crowded, walled city with narrow, winding lanes and bustling mohallas. In contrast, New Delhi, designed by architects like Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker, was planned as a symbol of imperial power. It featured:
Wide, straight roads and broad avenues.
Spacious bungalows set amidst large green areas.
A clear separation from the crowded Old City, reflecting a sense of order and colonial superiority.
6. Why did the British establish separate areas like 'Civil Lines' and 'cantonments' in colonial cities?
The British created 'Civil Lines' for administrators and 'cantonments' for the military to establish a secure and sanitary environment, separate from the native Indian population. This segregation was driven by a need for security, control, and a belief in racial superiority. These areas were better planned, with piped water, sanitation, and spacious housing, reinforcing the distinction between the rulers and the ruled.
7. How did the introduction of railways by the British affect urban centres in India?
The introduction of railways had a dual effect on Indian urban centres. It led to the growth of towns and cities located on the railway network, as they became vital hubs for collecting raw materials for export. However, traditional towns that were bypassed by the railway lines often declined in commercial importance. Railways thus played a crucial role in restructuring the urban landscape to serve colonial economic interests.
8. What was the impact of the Partition of India in 1947 on the city of Delhi?
The Partition of India in 1947 had a massive impact on Delhi, transforming its demographics and culture. The city witnessed a huge influx of refugees from Punjab and Sindh, while a large number of Muslims migrated to Pakistan. This led to overcrowding, housing shortages, and the emergence of new refugee colonies like Lajpat Nagar and Tilak Nagar. The job market and social fabric of the city changed dramatically, making it a 'city of refugees' overnight.

















