Which city was the capital of India before 1911?

The correct answer is Calcutta.

Key Points

• Calcutta (now Kolkata) was the capital of British India until 1911.
• The capital was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 during the reign of King George V.
• Calcutta served as the center of British administration and trade during the colonial period.
• It was the headquarters of the East India Company before the British Crown assumed direct control of India in 1858.

Additional Information

• Delhi: Delhi became the capital of India in 1911 after the British decided to shift the capital from Calcutta. It was chosen for its historical and strategic importance as well as its central location in northern India.
• Purana Qila: Purana Qila is an ancient fort in Delhi that dates back to the Mughal era and earlier. It is believed to be the site of the legendary city of Indraprastha mentioned in the Mahabharata but was never a capital during British rule.
• Tughlaqabad: Tughlaqabad was a short-lived capital of the Tughlaq dynasty during the 14th century. It was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq but was abandoned after his death and is now in ruins.