The Old City of Delhi was constructed as a walled city with 14 gates, adjoining a fort-palace
complex, with the river Jamuna flowing near it. The city was characterised by mosques, havelis,
crowded mohallas, narrow and winding lanes and bylanes and water channels. The British
gained control of Delhi in 1803. Before the revolt of 1857, the British adjusted themselves to the
Mughal culture of the Old City by living in the Walled City, enjoying Urdu/Persian culture and
poetry, and participating in local festivals. The Delhi College was established in 1792, which led
to a great intellectual flowering in the sciences as well as the humanities.
However, after the revolt, they embarked on a mission to rid the city of its Mughal past. They
razed several palaces, closed down gardens and built barracks for troops in their place. For
security reasons, the area around the Red Fort was completely cleared of gardens, pavilions and
mosques. Mosques in particular were either destroyed or put to other uses. No worship was
allowed in the Jama Masjid for five years. One-third of the city was demolished, and its canals
were filled up. In the 1870s, the Western walls of Shahjahanabad were broken to establish the
railway and to allow the city to expand beyond the walls. The sprawling Civil Lines area came
up in the North of the city. This was the place where the British began living. The Delhi College
was turned into a school, and shut down in 1877. The British constructed a new city, known as
New Delhi, South of the Old City. Built as a complete contrast to the Old City, New Delhi
became the centre of power. The Old City, meanwhile, was pushed into neglect.