Cities that are often defined by cultural leadership or economic strength have been prominent throughout history. From Athens being known as the first ‘European City of Culture,’ to the sovereign city-state of Singapore being accorded one of the strongest financial hubs in Asia, evidences are abundant. Closer to home, Mumbai is India’s ‘financial centre’, while Kolkata is touted to be the country’s ‘cultural capital’. In fact, in January 2021, while addressing a political rally in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “I believe that India must have four rotating capitals. The English ruled the entire country from Kolkata. Why should there be only one capital city in our country?” The rise of unique city systems has not always been dominated by the issues of sovereignty, but is mostly driven by the historical perceptions and political capital that surround them.
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/reimagining-kolkata-driving-diplomacy-and-growth-in-the-east/
