Are there any cities with significant historical relevance that failed to capitalize on their legacy and are now just ordinary urban centers?

Vizag definitely takes that cake as a city that failed to capitalize on its potential. Given its geography, rich history, and the fact that it once housed multiple colonial powers like the British and the Dutch, its current population of barely 2.5 million is kinda underwhelming, especially in a country like India.

Vizag definitely takes that cake as a city that failed to capitalize on its potential. Given its geography, rich history, and the fact that it once housed multiple colonial powers like the British and the Dutch, its current population of barely 2.5 million is kinda underwhelming, especially in a country like India.