The Dual Urbanism: The Socioeconomic and Demographic Changes Brought About by The Construction and Expansion of The British Cantonment (C. 1800–1947) in the Bangalore Hinterland

Abstract

This study investigates the colonial urbanization of Bangalore, emphasizing the role of British colonial rulers in altering the city's layout, infrastructure, and sociopolitical environment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before British intervention, Bangalore was a minor regional hub governed by South Indian dynasties. The establishment of the Bangalore Cantonment in 1809 marked a pivotal shift, leading to the construction of roads, drainage systems, telegraph lines, and military installations primarily for colonial purposes. This development resulted in a division between the local "Pete" area and British-controlled Bangalore, fostering a "dual city" characterised by racial hierarchies, socio-spatial segregation, and uneven growth. Utilizing archival materials and historical data, the article argues that the colonial approach to urbanization has left a lasting legacy of spatial and infrastructural inequalities in modern Bengaluru. It also explores the influence of colonial planning on the city's evolution post-independence into a major administrative and technological hub, contributing to a nuanced understanding of urban modernity and postcolonial identity in Indian cities.