What is a metropolis?
Metropolis is a large, densely populated city of a country or state which performs political and economic functions for an entire region. It is the chief capital city brimming with opportunities and urbanization. London was the largest metropolitan city in the world.
What is meant by asphyxiation?
Asphyxiation is a state of suffocation due to lack of oxygen supply which can lead to unconsciousness. The underground railways were a menace to health and created a choking condition.
Name the most important modern city in the Indian subcontinent in the 19th century.
Bombay was the most important modern city in the Indian subcontinent in the 19th century. It was the premier city of India with an expanding population. It was an important port city and gradually became a major administrative and industrial center.
State any two features of urban life in the cities in the 19th century?
The most visible features of urban life in the cities in the 19th century were:
● Pollution: Due to industrialization and widespread use of coal, large quantities of refuse and waste products polluted air and water. A thick layer of black smoke emitted by factory chimneys surrounded the skies.
● The noise of large machines became a feature of urban life. The noise of passenger and goods train whistles and wheels became troublesome.
Why was the compulsory Elementary Education Act passed in 1870? Give three reasons.
The parliament of the UK passed the compulsory Elementary Education Act passed in 1870 because:
● Working class children were forced to work on very minimal wages.
● The act made public education for children between age 5-13 mandatory.
● The purpose of the act was to keep the children out of industrial work.
How did city development occur at the cost of ecology and the environment?
The environment faced a major brunt from industrialization and development.
● Large spaces were cleaned for factories, housing, and other institutions.
● Large quantities of refuse and waste products polluted air and water.
● The black smoke emitted from chimneys made the environment filthy.
Explain any four Characteristics of marginal groups in London.
Some of the features of marginal groups in London included:
● The number of criminals and criminal activities increased. Criminals were mainly the poor people who lived by stealing lead from roofs, food from shops, lumps of coal, and clothes drying on hedges. They were the cheats and tricksters, pickpockets and petty thieves crowding the streets of London.
● In order to maintain law and order and public morality, the police imposed high penalties for the crime. The authorities also offered work to the ‘deserving poor’.
● A large number of women that were employed in factories during the 18th and 19th century were started losing their jobs due to industrialization. They were forced to work within households. Thus, they became involved in tailoring, washing etc to increase their family income.
● A large number of children were also forced to work in industries on low paid jobs. They were cheap and offered more productivity. Thus, the compulsory elementary education act was passed in 1870 to keep them out of industrial work.
Explain the lifestyle of workers of the mid-19th century in Britain.
The lifestyle of workers of the mid-19th century in Britain is explained below:
a) In most of the industries the demand for labor was seasonal. The actually possibility of the job dependent on the existing relations and network.
b) The workers received an extremely low wage. The approximately were extremely poor.
c) The factories prefered to employed women and as a result the number of women employed in industries increased. Gradually the development in technology women lost their jobs.
d) Most of the workers were living in slums.
e) Factories did not give accommodation to the workers.
f) Most of the poor workers lived on the street. They created spaces of entertainment wherever they lived.
How did the development of cities influence the ecology and environment in the late 19th century? Explain by giving an example of Calcutta (Kolkata).
Calcutta was one of the most important colonial city of India. However, the technological developments in Calcutta led to environmental degradation and posed a threat to ecology.
● The removal of marshy lands and green spaces directly affected the environment. There was an increasing demand for building houses, factories, and other institutions.
● The establishments of industries and steam engines led to high levels of pollution. The burning of wood as fuel and use of coal-generated thick black smog, that polluted the city.
● The introduction of railways in 1855 further intensified the ecological problem. The high content of ash in Indian coal damaged the environment. Thus, in 1863, Calcutta became the first Indian city to get smoke nuisance legislation.
● The burning of rice husk in 1920 in the rice mills of Tollygunge filled up the air with black soot. Thus, all these developments gradually eroded the prospect of a clean and pure environment.
City development cannot take place without destroying communities and lifestyles. Arguments against and in favour.
The industrial revolution transformed the lifestyle of the people.
● Instead of collective values, individualism became the hallmark for the new industrial life. Ties between members of households loosened and the institution of marriage broke down.
● Women lost their industrial jobs and were forced to withdraw into their homes. The public space became increasingly a male preserve, and the domestic sphere was seen as the proper place for women.
● The Family became a smaller unit. It became the heart of a new market – of goods and services, and of ideas the new phenomenon of leisure time came into being.
● Several cultural events, such as the opera, the theatre and classical music performances were organized. Working classes, on the other hand, enjoyed drinking.
In many cities of Indian today, there are moves to clear away the slums, where poor people live. Discuss whether or not it is the responsibility of the government to make arrangements for houses for these people. List values to be kept in mind while displacing these poor.
I agree that the Government is responsible for providing housing facilities to the poor. Displacement must be followed by rehabilitation. The move to clear away the slums simply dislocates the poor. It made them more prone to insecurity and injustice. The government should develop welfare mechanisms for the poor as they are severely affected by any changes in society.
Even while displacing these poor, the government must ensure their survival and their livelihood. It must keep into account the needs and necessities of them. The basic conditions required to live a life must not be threatened.