How did the colonial cities reflect the mercantile culture of the British rulers? Explain
the colonial cities reflected the mercantile culture of the new rulers. political power and patronage shifted from indian rulers to the merchants of east india company. indians who worked as middlemen, interpreters, traders and suppliers of goods also had an important place in these new cities. economic activity near the river or the sealed to the development of docks and ghats. along the shore were godowns, mercantile offices, insurance agencies for shipping, transport depots, and banking establishments. further inland was the chief administrative officer of the company. the writer’s building in calcutta (kolkata) was one such office. around the periphery of the fort, european merchants and agents built palatial houses in european styles. some build garden houses in the suburbs. racially exclusive clubs, racecourses and theatres were also built for the ruling elite.
