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rich families left and even they were unable to g No pattern of markets was present in old
maintain the havelis. One-by-one, they sold off Delhi, instead in New Delhi a well-
their havelis and moved to humbler quarters. developed pattern could be seen.
Other havelis simply fell into decay. g Buildings were old with haveli style and in
The Municipality New Delhi Rome and Greek style was
g The census of 1931 revealed that the walled followed.
city area was crowded with as many as 90 g Raisina Hill was chosen to establish the New
persons per acre, while New Delhi had only Delhi as a symbol of supremacy.
about three persons per acre. Life in the Time of Partition
g The poor conditions in the walled city, did The partition of India took place in 1947. It led
not stop it from expanding. to a massive transfer of populations on both
g In 1888, an extension scheme called the sides of the new border. The population of Delhi
‘Lahore Gate Improvement Scheme’ was swelled as a result. The kind of occupations of
planned by ‘Robert Clarke’ for the walled people changed. The culture of the city became
city residents but it was not a success. entirely different.
g ‘The Delhi Improvement Trust’ was set up in Mass Migration : After independence and
1936, and it built areas like Darya Ganj partition, fierce rioting began. Thousands of
South for wealthy Indians. people in Delhi were killed. Their homes were
looted and burned. Hordes of Muslims left for
Pakistan and their place was taken by equally
large numbers of Sikh and Hindu refugees from
Pakistan. Refugees roamed the streets of
Shahjahanabad, in search of empty homes to
occupy. They even forced the Muslims to leave
or sell their properties. Over two-thirds of the
Muslims from Delhi migrated.
Settlement of Refugees : Delhi became a city
of refugees. About 500,000 people were added
to Delhi’s population which was about 800,000
Difference between the old and new Delhi
at that time. Most of the migrants came from
architecture :
Punjab. They stayed in camps, schools, military
g Old city was very congested and no pattern barracks and gardens. Some got the opportunity
of housing was seen, but New Delhi was to occupy the vacant residences, others were
constructed with wide roads and large accommodated in refugee colonies. New colo-
mesons. nies; like Lajpat Nagar and Tilak Nagar came up
g Dirty roads and bad sewage conditions were at this time. Shops and stalls opened to cater to
hallmarks of old city, but New Delhi saw a the demands of the migrants. Schools and
better planning of sewage and cleanliness. colleges were also opened.
g There was no existence of parks, trees and Need to Change Skills Set : The skills and
gardens, but in New Delhi source of fresh air the occupations of the refugees were altogether
and a peaceful life were given consideration. different from those who had been replaced.
Social Science-8 87
