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Research Paper | Architecture & Planning | India | Volume 9 Issue 6, June 2020

Industrial Revolution - A Paradigm Shift from Western to Eastern Countries

Alok Kr. Kureel | Dr. Vandana Sehgal

Abstract: The industrial revolution was a period from the 19th to the 20th century, where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transport, technology, and architecture had a profound effect on the socio-economy and cultural conditions of the world. During this period the income and the population began to exhibit unprecedented sustain growth. It started in the United Kingdom and then subsequently spread throughout Europe, North America, and eventually the world. The British invaded India via coastal regions, declaring these as major seaports. Trade routes were laid down connecting cities like Calcutta (Kolkata), Surat, Bombay (Mumbai), Chennai, Cochin via sea, and cities like Kanpur and Ahmedabad were connected by rivers, which soon became prominent industrial centers. Kanpur, the industrial metropolis of North India came to be known as the Manchester of the India due to it’s high- end industries. India after becoming a British colony, was most affected by the development of industries. This had a huge impact on the lives of the people, culture, and architecture. Known for its versatility, India has been adapting to various architectural styles brought in by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, the Mughals, and most significantly the British. Amongst the various styles that the British introduced to India, the most innovative and remarkable is the industrial architecture of India, which is an amalgamation of the Indian traditional style with the British influence. Kanpur, having a British military garrison since its very beginning, was in great demand for its various markets and their purchasing and selling capability of products for the military as well as civilian’s purposes. Exporting the goods from England, time and again, led to inconvenience. It was, hence, prudent to set up industries in Kanpur owing to the existing trade routes and availability of land.

Keywords: Cawnpore woolen mills, lal-imli mill, the industrial revolution, industrial heritage, colonial architecture

Edition: Volume 9 Issue 6, June 2020,

Pages: 1662 - 1666