MCQ Detailed View

Calcutta. It served as the first capital of British India when the British East India Company gradually transitioned to the British Crown, marking the beginning of the British Raj. Calcutta was chosen because it was a major trade hub and had strategic access via the Hooghly River.

Key Facts about Calcutta as the Capital:

• Time Period: 1772 – 1911


• Significance: Administrative and political center for the British in India


• Trade Importance: Major port city, facilitating commerce and exports


• Architecture: British colonial buildings, government offices, and cultural institutions developed during this period

Why the Capital Moved?

In 1911, the capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi for political and strategic reasons, including its central location and historical significance as the seat of past Indian empires.

Cultural and Historical Impact:

Calcutta played a vital role in shaping modern Indian administration, culture, education, and politics under British rule. The city became a melting pot of Indian and European cultures and remains historically significant today.

Fun Fact: During its time as the capital, Calcutta hosted the first Indian university, cultural societies, and the famous Victoria Memorial, which today stands as a symbol of its colonial past.