Kolkata – A Colonial Masterpiece and Beyond!

Read. Imagine. Travel.

Namaste!

On August 24, 1690, after a lavish offering at an old temple of Kali, Job Charnock, the founder of Calcutta (now called Kolkata), pitched his tents on the banks of the Hooghly, exactly on the site of charred ruins of an old factory, destroyed over trading rights by then Muslim rulers of Bengal. His logbook on that day says: "In consideration that all the former buildings here are destroyed, it is resolved that such places be built as necessity requires and as cheap as possible… these to be done with mud walls and thatched (roof) till we get ground whereon to build a factory." Thus, the first Capital of British India was born. It remained India's capital for 139 years during the British rule, and is a top spot to see colonial architecture, a must-see city for architecture lovers to include on their India itineraries.



The city is also nicknamed as the 'City of Joy' due to its soulful embodiment of culture, mystery, respect, love, enthusiasm, and some amazing delicacies. There is so much to experience in this beautiful city. It has an abundance of monuments that still have the stories of colonial times to tell. Watch a glimpse of the ‘City of Joy’ in this video.

Apart from the tourist attractions, here one can experience the essence of "the city of joy" in almost every aspect. From the wide boulevards of Central Kolkata to the Art Deco houses in the south, from Mother Teresa's home to the walk down the flower market, Kolkata’s past is ever-present if you know where to head for. But, if you think that Kolkata has only Colonial marvels, you will be also amazed to see the beauty of this city beyond the Colonial Era.

Let’s take a look at some of the masterpieces of Kolkata:

VICTORIA MEMORIAL HALL

Dedicated to Queen Victoria, the Empress of India, the Victoria Memorial Hall was first opened in 1921. Initially, the hall was used as a gallery, a place for the public to visit and see the historically important pictures and statues.

The magnificent white marble building is renowned for its elegant architectural features, including a central dome surrounded by figures representing different societal attributes and a combination of European and Islamic design.

It houses beautiful sculptures, inscriptions, rare manuscripts, art, and documents that describe the different phases of colonial rule in the city. Explore Victoria Memorial in this short video.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF INDIA

Located on grounds stretching over 30 acres, National Library is the largest library in India. This beautiful library was built in 1836. Its edifice, posing white walls, and straight lines flaunt the modern European qualities that were fashionable. Soon after opening, the library attracted many scholars and cultural travellers from all over the globe.

Today with a staggering number of over 2.2 million books, it still stands as a centre with the largest collection of books in India. The collection also contains publications from various countries and spans several languages.

INDIAN MUSEUM

The Indian Museum is among the largest and the earliest museums in India and the Asia-Pacific region. It is also considered as one of the oldest museums in the world.

The Asiatic Society of Bengal established Indian Museum over 200 years ago. At that time, it was called the Imperial Museum. It houses some of the most comprehensive artefacts that narrates historic, social and cultural stories of India.

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

Located in the heart of the city, this spectacular church is an Anglican cathedral that operates under the Church of North India. It is a must-visit place for travellers seeking architectural marvels and enriching history on their trips. This enormous structure reminds one of the colonial times.

Primarily built to provide a place of worship for the increasing Christian population in Kolkata, it is said to be the first Episcopalian church in Asia. The building reflects Indo-Gothic style of architecture with a cascading white structure and is adorned with colourful tinted windows and a towering spire.

Inside, it has a majestic altar, huge nave, and chancel, along with paintings and carvings portraying great moments and events of Christian history. The complex also houses numerous memorabilia of earlier congregants and a library where books as old as the church's foundation which were donated by the founding member Bishop Wilson, can be found.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH

Consecrated in 1787, this church was built on the land donated by Raja Nabakrishna as a goodwill gesture to Waren Hastings.

It remains one of the oldest churches in Kolkata and is beautifully maintained. In the church compound, one can see several historical monuments on the graves of famous Europeans like Job Charnock (said to be the founder of British Calcutta), etc.

One of the notable graves here is the grave of Admiral Waston, who helped Clive in recapturing Kolkata from Siraj-ud-Daula. Visiting this place is a pure bliss!

INSIDER TIP: Uncover the architectural marvels and colonial past of Kolkata on a heritage walk. It covers some of the famed and old buildings drenched in rich architectural style. Some of the cultural spectaculars covered during the walk are Governor's House (Raj Bhavan), Treasury Building, Kolkata General Post Office (GPO), St. John's Church, Collectorate Office, Writers Building, St. Andrew's Kirk, Old Court House Street, Old Currency Building etc. During the walk, our experienced guides will mesmerize with interesting tales and stories associated with these marvelous buildings and about their architecture.

Kolkata is all about the Colonial charm and history, think again! It is home to many great personalities, music, cuisine etc. The life, the culture, and the values in Kolkata are as adorable as its citizens Let's take a look at what lies beyond the British colonial marvels that one should include on a visit to Kolkata.

BELUR MATH

Belur Math is one of the most famous spiritual sites in Kolkata. It is the headquarters of ‘Ramakrishna Math and the Mission’ that was founded by Swami Vivekananda, who was the chief follower of the Indian mystic Sri Ramakrishna. A beautiful temple inside Belur Math is named the Ramakrishna temple. The temple is designed to replicate a mosque, a temple, and a church if seen from particular positions.

It is a building of unique architecture that symbolizes the faith of its congregation. From here, Swami Vivekananda started his religious journey to take India into a new socio-cultural revolution, and it is a tribute to his guru, "Sri Ramakrishna."

MOTHER TERESA HOUSE OR NIRMAL HRIDAY

The city of Kolkata is the head quarter of Missionaries of Charity worldwide and Nirmal Hriday was the first institution, established in 1950, by Mother Teresa under her organization, Missionaries of Charity, in Kokata.

It is a home for sick, destitute, and dying people where they are medically treated free of cost. She also established many other institutions like Shishu Niketan under her charitable organization in Kolkata.

JORASANKO THAKUR BARI

The JorasankoThakurbari was the ancestral home of the Tagore family. It was built in the 18th century by Prince Dwarkanath Tagore, the grandfather of Rabindranath Tagore a Nobel Laureate and a Great Poet. The place is now a museum dedicated to the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore.

The campus also houses Rabindra Bharati University which is devoted to dance, drama, art, and music.

JAIN TEMPLE

Built in the year 1867, the temple is dedicated to Pareshnath, who was the 23rd Jain Tirthankar. It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and a primary place of worship for the burgeoning Jain community in Kolkata.


KUMARTULI

Kumartuli is the only potter's quarter in the city of Kolkata.

Every lane and bylane of this town has houses, which have been converted into platforms. Here master sculptors work round the clock to create clay idols of deities of the Hindu pantheon like Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Ganesha, etc. Work peaks in the days ahead of ‘Durga Puja’.

Kolkata is not just about visiting monuments; there is a lot to experience during a visit to this beautiful and joyous place. Here is a list of experiences that can be added in Kolkata:

INDULGE IN DURGA PUJA CELEBRATIONS

‘A living world heritage’, Durga Puja celebrations has been inscribed on the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’, by UNESCO. It is an annual festival celebrated in September or October or November and one of the best festivals to be witnessed in Kolkata.

The festival is seen as the best instance of the public performance of religion and art, and a thriving ground for collaborative artists and designers. Watch Mega Pandals of Kolkata in this short video celebrating the Durga Puja.

INTELLECTUAL WANDERINGS ON COLLEGE STREET

Encircled by the distinguished Theosophical Society, Presidency College, the University of Calcutta, and Sanskrit College, College Street is Kolkata's intellectual centre. This historic street is lined with numerous makeshift bookshops and is home to the country's largest second-hand book market.

One of the renowned landmarks on College Street is the ‘Indian Coffee House’, which is said to be the centre of the city's intelligentsia. It was regularly patronized by the icons like Rabindranath Tagore, Subhash Chandra Bose, and many more.

TAKE A RIDE-ON THE ICONIC TRAMS OF KOLKATA

There is an inseparable relationship between Kolkata and the rickety-rackety trams that chug along its bustling streets. India's only operating tram network is operated by Calcutta Tramways Company.

The Trams were started here in 1873, when a tramway service was first introduced on a 3.9 km stretch between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat. To get a feel of vintage Kolkata, take the iconic trams and soak in its romantic old-world charm.


INTERESTING FACT: Did you know that the only Chinatown of India is hidden in the quaint bylanes of Kolkata? Characterized by Pagoda-like Chinese temples, traditional beauty parlours, mahjong clubs, and antique pastry shops, Chinatown has a unique culture of its own. The place is most famous for its mouthwatering street food, a delightful fusion of Chinese and Indian cuisines. During Chinese New Year, the entire place is abuzz with festive excitement, firecrackers, lanterns, lion dancers, and dragon dance shows.

INDULGE IN KOLKATA'S EPIC FOOD

The love affair between the people of Kolkata and their food is one of the most famous things in India.

From scrumptious Nizami biryanis to fiery puchkas to mouthwatering Chinese food, Kolkata is a paradise for foodies. It is said, when it comes to the cuisine, Kolkata is the ‘Kingdom of Gastronomy’.


VISIT THE COLOURFUL FLOWER MARKET

A trip to Kolkata is incomplete without a visit to the century-old MullickGhat Flower Market which is one of the biggest flower markets in all of Asia. This iconic and jaw-dropping colourful market with Howrah Bridge towering above makes it a popular place for photography enthusiasts.

During a visit to the market, be on the lookout for the TagorPhool – a white flower resembling jasmine, it is a market speciality and remains high in demand. It is also a great place to capture some of the most magnificent sunsets Kolkata has to offer.

The only way to experience Kolkata is to feel the city, live the city. And that is as good as living in a kaleidoscope. For those who have not had any prior ‘Kolkata’ experience, we hope we can show them the true Kolkata – through our eyes. We, at Indo Asia Tours, are all about the handcrafted tours, memories, and moments you take out of your trip, and believe us, this escapade will be a life-changing one!