The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The evolution of towns in India is historically classified into Ancient, Medieval, and Modern periods. Modern towns were primarily developed by the British and other European powers, starting with coastal locations and expanding based on strategic, administrative, and recreational requirements.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The British initially developed coastal towns as trading ports to consolidate their naval and commercial power. Prominent examples include Surat, Daman, Goa, Pondicherry, Madras (Chennai), Calcutta (Kolkata), and Bombay (Mumbai). In contrast, cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, and Jaipur are examples of Medieval towns that developed as headquarters of principalities and kingdoms long before British dominance.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The British established hill towns (hill stations) such as Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital, and Darjeeling. These were developed as summer resorts, sanatoriums, and military cantonments to provide relief from the tropical heat of the Indian plains.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Towns based on modern industries began to evolve during the British period, particularly after 1850. Jamshedpur is a prime example of an industrial town that developed specifically due to the establishment of the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO).
Key Takeaway: British influence on Indian urbanization is distinctively marked by the creation of port cities for trade, hill stations for recreation, cantonments for military administration, and industrial townships like Jamshedpur.