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structures, bearing semblance with England British military monuments in India were pre-
counterparts paved a fresh way for Mumbai. dominated with a lone guiding factor, that being
Mumbai completely metamorphosed into a the sublime increase in military monuments. The
polished city, much to intimidate Kolkata. churches of Kolkata and Chennai were the
British Architecture in New Delhi foremost cities where such buildings took place.
Exquisite etchings of slain soldiers and officers
Architectural developments of New Delhi during
still do commemorate these churches erected by
British rule in India were tremendous still to this
the British.
day, if one leaves aside the Mughal architectures.
The pace and momentum with which British Indian art and craft during British rule were
generals took up the task to reconstruct Delhi was extremely praiseworthy in the attempts made by
indeed praiseworthy. As New Delhi was declared both British talents and later by educated natives.
the capital city after Kolkata, the imperial city was The overwhelming participation and amount of
never the same again, adopting a perfect colonial interest shown by British rulers in Indian art and
appearance. War memorials were built up in craft was surprising in its inaugural issues. The
honour; churches of gothic architecture came British even displayed such enthusiasm as to
into being. Architects were called from England build up schools precisely for the specified
for this sole purpose of supreme importance to purpose. Schools and exhibitions were estab-
generals. lished in the primary cities of Chennai, Kolkata
and even Lahore. The oriental look had much
British Architecture in Chennai
appealed the western tastes of the British, taking
Architectural developments of Chennai, formerly
pride place in British museums.
Madras, during British rule in India comprised a
LITERATURE
massive overhaul in every Christian architectural
creation that was present in the port city. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries saw the
Churches were primarily taken into account, maturing of Indian literature. Previously, litera-
giving them a clean English look, deriving inspi- ture was confined to religion and mythology.
ration from their London counterpart. Even Most of it was not related to the present. Now,
bungalows were rebuilt in certain areas to suit the literature adopted secular and national themes.
high-flying style. Massive banquet halls came into The individual became important and his day-to-
being for official evening functions, every nook day problems and struggles became the central
emoting out a classical feel. theme of the literary works of this period. New
Later Development of British Architecture forms of writing such as novels, short stories,
dramas and essays became popular.
of India
During 19th century, architectural developments The literature of this period was influenced by
the freedom struggle. It, in turn, influenced the
in India by British consisted of the rise of bunga-
freedom struggle and became an instrument to
low styled architecture from a plain native styled
promote nationalism among people. Some great
common thatched hut. 19th century was a
writers in the regional languages were :
significant advancement in British empire,
making way for such improvisations. The classi- g Munshi Premchand and Bhartendu
cal, the gothic look was heavily witnessed in Harishchandra in Hindi.
every English creation. As such, hill stations g Muhammad Iqbal in Urdu.
started gaining momentum as admired outings.
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