Where was the second city of the British Empire?

Question

I've heard this phrase used in reference to Dublin (Ireland), Glasgow (Scotland) and even Liverpool (England). Are there other contenders?

Is there a generally accepted answer, or did it change over time, meaning through the duration of the empire, several cities may have achieved second city status?

Answer 1

My history prof at Idaho State University always mentioned Glasgow in Scotland as the 'second city' during our course on the British Empire.  I don't believe he was talking about the older times however since the course was entitled, "The British Empire-1760 to End"

Don't know what that's worth, but there ya go.

Answer 2

Given the importance of the colonies it was either Delhi in India ( where the empire smuggled and stole riches) or Hong Kong ( where the controlled the heroin and opium trade).

Answer 3

It definitely wouldn't have been Dublin! I don't think the citizens would have appreciated that 'accolade.'

Answer 4

Glasgow was widely known and accepted generally in the 19th century as the "Second City of the Empire " .

Answer 5

Glasgow

Answer 6

Glasgow was the second city of the empire from around 1840 onwards.

Answer 7

According to Wiki there have been several cities who have claimed this title over the centuries, with the claim changing depending on the current importance of the city in question. There's nothing to suggest that this recognition was ever official, and there would have been different answers given during any given time period depending on who you talked to.

Someone who was aquainted with the port city of Bristol might claim that city while someone else might claim Calcutta in India because of all the business and politics conducted there - again someone from Scotland might declare the second city to be Edinburgh.