The takeover of Jami Masjid had even more damaging effects on the city, particularly the Muslim community. Several mohallas which formed the core of the city were destroyed by the extension of esplanade around the Masjid. The Friday mosque provided a place for socio-religious interaction where Shiites and Sunnis, rich and poor alike congregated for namaz.

The takeover forced the men to turn to smaller privately owned neighbourhood mosques which were more sectarian in nature. Thus the seizure of the mosque led to a greater polarization between Shiites and Sunnis.

The new streets cut through several mohallas disrupting their organic unity and organization. The dimensions and directions of the military roads were conspicuously unsuited to the city population. The main karbala was destroyed by the construction of civil lines. The eastern section was segregated from the city as a detached colony for the ruling elite.

Social Control through shaping the urban environment was exercised where governance penetrated every corner of people’s lives. Municipal regulations now controlled and dictated the location of burial grounds and burning ghats, the manner of disposing the dead, religious procession routes and fairs. The designs of houses, latrine and shops were now a matter of official planning.