ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how the initiation of Indian postcolonial urbanism (1930–50) came in the form of a ‘rejection’ of the modern city. It will be shown—in three stages—how the emergent democracy was internally conflicted over concerns of a materialistic, subjugated and bewildering city space it was bound to adjust with. It will also be argued that this repudiation of the city-idea can come in physical (like leaving the city for a life of sylvan adventures) or spiritual forms (psychologically resisting the devalued urban while staying within the city periphery). To achieve this, I have divided this chapter into two sections, the first talking about leaving the colonial Calcutta for a fulfilment in nature's proximity, and the second about Delhi and Hyderabad through the traditional Muslim aristocracy's viewpoint, judging the changing cityscape as a bewildering, dehumanized and decadent space. I have used classical as well as modern urban philosophy and history in this chapter, namely from G.S. Ghurye, Richard Lehane, Malcolm Miles, Patrick Geddes, Anthony D. King and many more.
