Q. Under whose Viceroyalty was the capital of British India shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911?
Answer: Lord Hardinge II
Notes: The capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 during the reign of Lord Hardinge II. The decision was made by Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy of India at the time. The shift was announced at the Delhi Durbar for the coronation of King George V in 1911.
The shift was led by two major factors, including the Indian Councils Act of 1909. Lord Hardinge explained that Calcutta was located in the extreme east, so the capital should be centralized for betterment.
The foundation of the new capital was laid on December 12, 1911. Construction began in 1912 at a site about 3 miles (5 km) south of the Delhi city center. The new capital was formally dedicated in 1931.
The shift cost four million British pounds. Many theorize that the development of Kolkata as an industrial center was hampered as a consequence.
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