Source: unsplash.com

Delhi is one of the most important cities of India and it has always been a historical territory. Moreover, it traces its history of politics from the period of Mahabharata. The city has been a place with much political significance, and dynasties choosing it as their throne of power. Old Delhi was founded by Mughal rulers who ruled the city in succession. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of some more pages of the past and few of them are even unaware of the significance of 12th December, which changed the destiny of the capital city of India.

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King George V announced Delhi as the National Capital of India on 12th December 1911, replacing Kolkata at the Coronation Park which is situated near Burari towards Nirankari Colony near Kingsway Camp in North Delhi. The coronation of King George V as Emperor of India took place on December 12, 1911, and the British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. British adopted the concept of Durbar or imperial pageant from Mughal rulers and made this site the venue to hold the Durbars. Total 3 Durbars were held by the British empire for 40 years in the part which was held near a highland where the Britishers rose successfully during the Indian rebellion of 1857.

Source: wikipedia.org

The park similarly emphasised the majesty of the British empire to the native rulers and the people who followed Durbars which was proclaimed in the full set. In 1877, Queen Victoria proclaimed the Empress of India at this site. In 1903, the coronation of Queen Victoria's son Edward VII was celebrated in Delhi Durbar. Both occasions called for the summoning of Delhi Durbar, a spectacular show where Nizams of Hyderabad, Begum of Bhopal, Gaikwad of Baroda and many more were gratified to greet the new rulers.

Source: pexels.com

At the Coronation Durbar in British India, King George V was formally proclaimed the Kaisar-e-Hind, King emperor of India, at Delhi, with an audience of around 80,000. On the Indian subcontinent, the king had regions which included modern-day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The King announced that the capital of British India would be moved from Calcutta to Delhi without any consultation of the British Parliament. 

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On 12th December 1911, the 57-acre venue witnessed the 3rd and final Delhi Durbar which was attended by King George V himself. Sitting on a golden throne, under a golden umbrella, the king declared the transfer of the seat of the Government of India from Calcutta to the ancient capital of Delhi. It was built on the site southwest of Shahjahanabad, the capital of the Mughal Emperors, and eventually as the capital of British on 12 December 1911.

Source: pexels.com

After India's Independence from the British, New Delhi became the capital of the newly formed Republic of India, and it further became a state in 1992 under the National Capital Territory Act. The capital city has always been the centre of a progression of commanding empires and dominant kingdoms. And even today, it offers a constant reminder of its rich history of politics and power, as the capital city of modern India.

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Reference:

  • www.britannica.com
  • www.delhitourism.gov.in
  • www.delhi-timeline.in
  • www.wikipedia.com
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