COLONIALISM:-

It is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another
country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. Then making it as
its colonies. Thus colonization was clearly geared to benefit the mother country, even
at the cost of the colonies.
The British, French, Dutch and the Portuguese were the main powers that colonized
India. Britain reigned India for over three hundred years and their legacy still
remains through building and infrastructure that populate their former colonies.
The major cities colonized during this period were Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi,
Agra, Bankipore(Patna), Karachi, Nagpur, Bhopal and Hyderabad.
The 18th century was a period of internal power struggle in India and with the
declining power of the Mughal Empire, the British officials were provided with the
perfect opportunity to establish their hold over Indian Territory.
They did these through numerous wars, forced treaties, annexations of and alliances
with the various regional powers all over the country.
Their new administrative and economic policies helped them consolidate their
control over the country.
Colonial exploitation was carried out through three distinct phases over time. 1st-
mercantilism,2nd - source of raw material and a market for British goods,3rd -
finance.
IMPACT:-
Under British colonial rule, both positive and negative effects were on the Indian
nation and its people.
The negative effects was the indigenous agricultural industry was destroyed, the
unity among people were lost , each state wanted to be in good terms with the British
rather than with its neighbor. However, the development of the vast and intricate
railroad network ,a new professional social class emerging, higher standard of
schools and universities all were positive impacts.
Another important impact of British rule over India was development in the field of
architecture. This became an emblem of power, designed to endorse the patron.
Numerous outsiders invaded India and created architectural styles reflective of their
ancestral and adopted homes .The European colonizers created architecture that
symbolized their mission of conquest, dedicated to the state or religion. Renowned
architects of the likes of Lutyens, Edward Frere, Le Corbusier, etc. laid layout plans
for some modern Indian cities and designed exquisite buildings during this period.
These buildings and monuments still stand high glorifying the excellence of these
icons of modern architecture. A whole new Government architecture was developed.
The Military Boards established by the English East India Company contributed to
the majority of secular architecture, like barracks, forts, mess for soldiers and other
assorted buildings. But the arrangement did not prove to be much effective.
However, for the purposes of government and the church, something more
authoritative was needed to assert British dominance. Later on the Government
decided to establish the Public Works Department in the year 1854. Thus concept of
a separate Public Works Department conceived by Lord Dalhousie in 1854 and, in
the month of July 1854, the PWD was born.
Colonial architectural style of India, were the direct reflection of their achievements
back home. However, owing to long distance travels by sea, the architectural modes
of England all reached India rather late. This ideally combined the climate and
political fantasies – ‘of social distinction’.
Common features of new colonial style in India had typically
- Usage of brick, slate, machine-made tiles and steel girders
- thick walls and high ceilings – to provide ample ventilation.
- flat roofs, which were often made of wood covered and plastered with lime
- triumphal arches, statues, trophy halls .The traditional orders, Corinthian, Ionic,
Tuscan and Doric
- Encircling veranda – shaded the main structure;
- an arena for a carefully regulated intercourse with that world.
- placement of the bungalow in a large compound – emphasized a social distance and
of superiority.
- impressive drive way and with access regulated by walls, gates and watchmen.
Though this expression and culture of colonialism did not confine only to the
architectural manifestations like the bungalow or other public buildings but it was
prominently visible at the urban level in the form of many settlements.
It was followed by a new style of architecture that developed as a result of
colonization of India. This style of architecture came to be called as Indo-Saracenic.
The Indo-Saracenic architecture combined the features of Hindu, Islamic and
western elements. The colonial architecture exhibited itself through institutional,
civic and utilitarian buildings such as post offices, railway stations, rest houses and
government buildings.
BRIEF HISTORY OF PWD
During the period of the British rule in this subcontinent, in
1786 a Military Board was set up to look after all public work matters at that time.
But the arrangement did not prove to be much effective.
The concept of a separate Public Works Department staffed with officers having
best of scientific knowledge and evolving appropriate systems, was first conceived
by Lord Dalhousie in 1854 and, in the month of July 1854, the PWD was born.
At that time PWD was responsible for the construction of roads, buildings, railways
as well as flood control, irrigation and military work. Most of the Indian
architectural production today is product of this. The Military Boards and Public
Works Departments that succeeded them took the adjustment of standard types -or
generic solutions - and precedents view to its logical extreme by the1870s.
By then, the PWDs had developed a standardized form for almost all the structures
and many typical civil buildings of the British Indian administration and the
extensive infrastructure it required.
The British government realized the importance of public works, being instruments
of development and staffed it with the best engineers. In 1854 Lord Dalhousie
created 3 public works department in each of India’s 3 principal presidencies;
Madras, Calcutta, Bombay and in provinces containing civil and military branches.
Dalhousie also provided for a Central Public Works Secretariat in Calcutta.
Branches :-
In 1866, P.W.D. was divided into three branches namely, Civil (Roads, Building &
Irrigation), Military and Railway.
This very year the then Governor General, Lord Lawrence (1864-68) introduced the
system of investing in public works by borrowing from the public.
The New policy saw implementation of some important projects like Midnapore
Canal (1872), Orissa Coast Canal (1882), Rajapur Drainage Canal (1882) etc.
During 1870, local government system was introduced by the government.
Hierarchy:-
In 1893, provincial services were created in each of the provinces of India. The
technical branch staffs were divided into three categories: (i) Engineers (ii) Upper
Subordinates (iii) Lower Subordinates.
And the engineers were divided into separate services, viz., Imperial Services and
Provincial Services.
While the Engineers were recruited in England and reserved for the British people
only in case of the former services, in case of the latter, appointments were available
to the recognized community of the Indians only.
With the complete separation of the Military branch in 1895, the P.W.D. became an
exclusive civil department. The P.W.D. became responsible for public works
relating to roads, buildings, irrigations and railways from this time.
.
Special Divisions:-
Beside, with the integration and development of local government system, Special
types of public works were entrusted upon District Boards and Municipalities.
In 1905, the railways branch was segregated from the P.W.D. and was converted into
a separate department under the management and control of Railway Board.
The first railway line in India was commissioned in 1853 from Bombay to Thane
and train services were introduced.
Till 1905 about 3600 miles of railway track was constructed by the P.W.D.
Increased initiative by the British Government for more development increased the
work load of P.W.D. considerably.
In 1920, P.W.D. was divided into two separate departments, viz., Public Works and
Irrigation.
Surface Roads of pre-independence period were maintained by Public Works and
Building Directorate, which subsequently nomenclatured as P.W. Directorate under
the administrative set up of P.W. Department.