The capital city of India has undergone numerous changes historically, from Calcutta under British rule to the present-day Delhi. However, very few people are aware that the city of Prayagraj used to serve as the nation’s capital for a single day only.
The city that became the capital for a day
Prayagraj is a historical city, formerly known as Allahabad. In 1858, Prayagraj became the capital of India for just 24 hours amidst a significant political change taking place in India during the period of British rule. The occasion occurred after the occurrence of the Revolt of 1857, which was a turning point for India’s administrative structure.
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During that period, India was under the British East India Company. However, following the revolt of 1857, Britain felt it necessary to establish direct rule. This marked the emergence of British rule in India, commonly referred to as the British Raj.
Queen Victoria’s proclamation in Prayagraj
There was an important ceremony organized on November 1, 1858, at Minto Park, which is named Madan Mohan Malviya Park. On this day, Lord Canning made the queen’s announcement of the transfer of Indian governance from the rule of the East India Company to British rule. As per history, the declaration of Prayagraj as the capital happened during this ceremony.
The geographical location of this place had a key role in making it the capital. The place lies near the meeting point of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and hence, the place was deemed safe by Britishers post-revolt.
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Why did the capital status last only 24 hours
Although titled, Prayagraj was the capital only for one day. The city of Kolkata, which used to be known as Calcutta, served as the administrative headquarters of British India. In 1911, the British moved the capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
Even though it was a fleeting experience, the incident turned out to be a significant part of the city’s history. Prayagraj eventually developed into a center of politics and culture, and many prominent personalities like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Lal Bahadur Shastri were born there.
