Why are south, west sides of Indian cities posh? Viral theory links it to a British obsession

Why are the poshest neighborhoods in Indian cities often found in the south or west? A LinkedIn post by MarkitUp cofounder Saransh Anand has reignited debate over an old but curious theory: colonial winds may have shaped India’s modern real estate map.

“Ever noticed how in most Indian cities, the south and west sides are the posh ones?” Anand asked, listing off South Delhi, South Mumbai, West Pune, and South Kolkata. “It’s almost like the compass decides the rent.” Advertisement

At the heart of the theory lies a colonial obsession with hygiene. British planners, Anand explained, favored the south and west sides of cities during the Raj because of prevailing wind directions. “India’s monsoon winds blow from the southwest to the northeast. That meant the south and west got fresh air, whil