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City of Palaces...

The City of Calcutta situated on the eastern bank of River Hooghly is one of the cities of the World which is called the City of Palaces, besides Mexico City and Mysore. The city being situated on a strategic location, protected by the river Hooghly on West, by creeks on North and by salt lakes on East became the Capital of British India in 1772. After the beginning of British Raj under Warren Hastings many architectural changes came in the skyline of the city over the period of 18th and 19th Century. The buildings of the city were highly influenced by the European Gothic, Baroque, Roman, Oriental and Asian Indo-Islamic styles of architecture. Some of the buildings of the time being declared 'Heritage Structures' are well maintained till today and bear great history in between their walls. While the other old buildings of the time are dying a slow death over time. Some of the most notable buildings of the City of Calcutta are:

Victoria Memorial Hall

           The Victoria Memorial Hall, one of the most visited monuments of the City of Joy is situated in the Maidan Region of Calcutta. It is is a large Marble building made of Makrana Marble and is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria then Empress of India. The construction of the building designed by William Emerson started on January 4th 1906 by the Prince of Wales King George V. The architectural marvel which was influenced by a the Venetian, Egyptian, Deccani and Islamic style of dome and sculptures was constructed at a cost of one crore five lakh rupees. The main structure of the Victoria Memorial Hall surrounded by a beautiful garden was opened for public in the year of 1921.
Now the place is converted in to a museum with 25 galleries and attracts a lot of tourists throughout the year.
Victoria Memorial Hall - Calcutta

Raj Bhawan Kolkata

             The 'Raj Bhawan' as the name suggests is truly a 'Palace of King' built on an area of 84,000 sq.ft. In the late 18th Century when the City of Calcutta used to be the most richest, elegant and largest Colonial city of India the construction of Raj Bhawan then known as the Government House was started by then Governor General of India Wellesley in 1799. Before 1799 the Governor General used to stay at a rented house so the area was purchased from Mohammad Reza Khan, a Nawab of Chitpur and the construction of Raj Bhawan was started. The building was constructed in Neoclassical style and was designed by capt. Charles Wyatt. In 1892 the Otis Elevator Company istalled the first elevator of India at Raj Bhawan. The ornamental designed Bird Cage lift at Raj Bhawan is still operable today. After the Independence of India the Raj Bhawan turned in to the Office and Residence of the Governor of the State of West Bengal.

Marble Palace

             The Marble Palace is another famous monument from 19th century which was build by Raja Rajendra Mullick a wealthy merchant of Bengal. The building made of marble following the Neoclassical architecture with corinthian pillars is still used by the descendant of the royal family. The place is famous for is finest Marble floors, sculptures, oil paintings, zoo and Bengali style Courtyard (Thakur Dalan). The palace situated in the North Calcutta should be in a must visit list of the tourists.
Marble Palace - Calcutta

Sobhabazar Raj Bari

               The Sobhabazar RajBari which is famous around the World for its Durga Puja Celebration is the royal palace of the Sobhabazar Royal Family. It was built by Raja Nabakrishna Deb an Bengali aristocrat with lot of wealth. Raja Nabakrishna Deb was one who helped the British to topple Siraj ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey. The place is also famously known as the 'Bagh Wala Bari' (The House of the Lions). The place is a must visit during the time of Durga puja to witness the traditional style of Durga Puja of a 'Dak Er Saj Pratima' (Idol of Durga covered in special silver outfit) pioneered by the Sobhabazar Royal Family.
              The other famous buildings of the City of Calcutta include the General Post Office, Writers Building, St. Pauls Cathedral, Indian Museum, Jora Sanko Thakur Bari. Although Calcutta ceased to be the Capital of India during the British Era, the structures built during that time still stand high on the heart of the city. The City of Calcutta truly justifies its title of 'The City of Palaces'.
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