Which Indian city is popularly referred to as the Zero Mile Centre of India because it is considered very close to the geographical centre of the country?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Nagpur

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Indian geography often uses symbolic points such as standard meridians and notional centres of the country. The term Zero Mile Centre of India is linked with colonial era measurements of distance from a central reference point. This question checks if the learner knows which city carries this traditional label in maps and general knowledge.


Given Data / Assumptions:
• Four major Indian cities are listed: Kanpur, Allahabad, New Delhi and Nagpur. • The question asks which city is known as the Zero Mile Centre of India. • Zero Mile here refers to a historic pillar from which distances were measured, not to latitude or longitude zero.


Concept / Approach:
Nagpur in Maharashtra has a famous Zero Mile stone that was erected by the British to mark the centre of India for distance measurement purposes. Many general knowledge books therefore describe Nagpur as the geographical centre or Zero Mile Centre of India, although the exact mathematical centre can be defined in different ways by modern methods.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Zero Mile monument is located in Nagpur and is linked with old Great Trigonometrical Survey measurements. Step 2: Observe that New Delhi, although the national capital, is not used as the Zero Mile reference in this traditional sense. Step 3: Note that Kanpur and Allahabad are important cities in Uttar Pradesh with other historical roles, but the Zero Mile label is associated specifically with Nagpur.


Verification / Alternative check:
Standard GK references and tourism information on Nagpur mention the Zero Mile stone and describe the city as near the geographical centre of India. Other cities in the options do not have this specific monument or traditional designation.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Kanpur) is an important industrial city on the Ganga basin, but it has no special Zero Mile pillar recognised nationally. Option B (Allahabad or Prayagraj) is famous for the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, not for a Zero Mile centre. Option C (New Delhi) is the seat of government and the location of the standard meridian time reference, but the traditional Zero Mile monument is not situated there.


Common Pitfalls:
• Many learners are tempted by New Delhi because they assume the national capital must also be the central reference point. • Some students confuse Zero Mile in India with Zero Mile stones used inside individual states or cities for local distance measurement.


Final Answer:
The city popularly known as the Zero Mile Centre of India is Nagpur.

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