Mention any two reasons for the British to take upon themselves the task of town planning in Bengal in the very beginning.

How were urban centres transformed during the eighteenth century?

What were the new kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city? What functions did they serve?

What were the concerns that influenced town planning in the nineteenth century?

To what extent were social relations transformed in the new cities?

On an outline map of India, trace the major rivers and hill ranges. Plot ten cities mentioned in the chapter, including Bombay. Calcutta and Madras, and prepare a brief note on why the importance of any two cities that you have marked (one colonial and one precolonial) changed in the nineteenth century.

You have been reading about big colonial cities. Choose any small town with a long history. It could be a temple town, market town, administrative centre, a pilgrimage centre or a combination of these. Find out how the town was established, when it developed, and how its history changed during modern times.

Choose five different types of buildings in your town or village. For each of these, find out when it was built, how it was planned, how resources were obtained for its construction, and how long it took to built it. What do the architectural features of the buildings express?

Choose five different types of buildings in your town or village. For each of these, find out when it was built, how it was planned, how resources were obtained for its construction, and how long it took to built it. What do the architectural features of the buildings express ?

Why was the colonial government keen on mapping? Mention any two reasons.

Why were the figures of mortality and disease difficult to collect? Give two reasons.