Which of the following statements about town planning in British India in early 19th century is/are correct? 1. The funds for town improvement were also raised through public lotteries, 2. The threats of epidemics gave an impetus to town planning in the early decades of 19th century. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

In the early 19th century, town planning in British India was significantly influenced by both financial and health considerations. Statement 1 is correct as the Lottery Committee was specifically established in Calcutta in 1817 to raise funds for urban improvements through public lotteries. These funds were used for building roads and clearing encroachments. Statement 2 is also correct because the threat of diseases and epidemics, such as cholera and plague, served as a major impetus for town planning and sanitary reforms [1]. The colonial administration linked urban congestion and poor drainage to the spread of disease, leading to the 'sanitary movement' which prioritized clearing 'bustees' and improving water supply to protect the health of both the British residents and the general population [1]. Consequently, both statements accurately reflect the drivers of early 19th-century colonial urban development.

Sources

1. [1] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/document/717046