question_answer

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

A rural city?

Read this excerpt on Madras from the Imperial Gazetteer, 1908:

... the better European residences are built in the midst of compounds which almost attain the dignity of parks; and rice-fields frequently wind in between these in almost rural fashion. Even in the thickly peopled native quarters such as Black Town and Triplicane, there is little of the crowding' found in many other towns'?.

(i) Where and why were better European residences built?

(ii) Explain the condition of black towns.

(iii) State the meaning of gradual urbanisation of Madras (Chennai).

 

Answer:

(i) The European residencies were built in the midst of compounds so that they can get the space for parks, and the rice-fields frequently wind in and out between these in almost rural fashion.

(ii) The black towns were thickly populated, with less hygienic living conditions and with no planning.

(iii) Gradual urbanisation of Madras (Chennai) indicated the development of the city. With the defeat of the French in 1761, Madras (Chennai) became more secure and began to grow into an important commercial town. It developed by incorporating innumerable surrounding villages and by creating opportunities and spaces for a variety of communities.