Kolkata City

Kolkata, known as the ‘City of Joy’, is significant in India’s economics, politics, and culture. The capital of West Bengal, Kolkata is one of India’s four metropolitan cities and has managed to keep its traditional appeal despite modernization. Originally called Calcutta, the city was established in 1698 and served as the capital of British India until 1911, when it was relocated to Delhi. The city was renamed Kolkata in 2001.

Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Satyajit Ray are among the greatest intellectuals, painters, filmmakers, and authors to have emerged from the city. Indeed, ideas from Kolkata in the realms of art, literature, cinema, and theatre have inspired the rest of the country.

History Of Kolkata

The Portuguese established a commercial station at Sutanuti in the mid-17th century, followed by the Dutch, who built a diversion canal on the Hugli River’s bank near the current Central Business District. The original Fort William was built in 1696 to secure the English station. The city rose to prominence in 1756, particularly in England, after Siraj-ud-Dawlah, a Bengal monarch, conquered the fort and, according to British historians, suffocated 43 British inhabitants in a small guardroom known as the Black Hole of Kolkata. The British reclaimed the city in 1757, led by Robert Clive.

The English initially constructed a complex transportation network via the Hugli-Ganges water system. Still, railroads, introduced in the 1850s, successfully established linkages with the hinterland and the rest of India. By the end of the nineteenth century, the city had the highest concentration of trade firms in India and had developed a Western-style business area.

The colonial city kept a clear distinction between the crowded and poorly constructed native quarters to the east and north of the Central Business District and the spacious and well-planned quarters where Europeans lived in the south and southeast of the old city. Following independence, the former European quarters were either converted into houses for the Indian elite or, As in the Park Street neighbourhood, into commercial areas.

Culture of Kolkata

Kolkata, with its long history and diverse customs, has emerged as India’s intellectual and cultural hub. Poetry, music, theatre, movies, and other forms of art are all cherished by Bengalis. Kolkata is home to numerous museums, art galleries, historic homes, film and music productions, and more.

The most lavish religious event in the city is Durga Puja when men and women dress in vermillion hues and the streets become vibrant kaleidoscopes. The streets are illuminated with millions of lamps, and enormous, vibrant clay idols of the goddess Durga are on exhibit in what are known as pandals, open pavilions.

Many old buildings and other structures that have been designated as “heritage structures” are located in Kolkata. Among the most important historic structures in the city are the Writers’ Building, Fort William, Raja Ram Mohan Palace, Belur Math, and the Victoria Memorial. Numerous buildings feature traditional Indo-Islamic and Indo-Saracenic architectural designs.

Kolkata Tourism

The city has a lot to offer in terms of attractions, such as tasty food, cultural events, and historical sites. Being one of the few places with surviving examples of British architecture and planning, it offers tourists a window into a bygone age.

List of tourist attractions in Kolkata

Howrah Bridge: West Bengal’s Howrah Bridge is a balanced cantilever bridge that spans the Hooghly River. When it was first put into service in 1943, the bridge—which connected the cities of Howrah and Kolkata—was known as the New Howrah Bridge because it had replaced a pontoon bridge at the same spot. One of the four bridges over the Hooghly River, it is a well-known landmark in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is easily one of the busiest cantilever bridges in the world, carrying about 100,000 automobiles and maybe over 150,000 pedestrians per day. With a single span of 1500 feet, the bridge’s overall length is 2150 feet.

Vidyasagar Setu: The longest cable-stayed bridge in India, Vidyasagar Setu spans the Hooghly River in West Bengal and is often referred to as the “Second Hooghly Bridge.” This 458 m long and 115 m wide structure was initially constructed to ease traffic on the Howrah Bridge. Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a reformer in education and a major figure in the Bengal Renaissance, is honoured by the name of this bridge.

The Kona Expressway, also known as NH 117, crosses the bridge to link Howrah and Kolkata. Numerous film shoots have used this bridge as a background because of the captivating view it offers from the Hooghly River.

The Victoria Memorial Hall: Situated in the city’s centre, the Victoria Memorial Hall is one of Kolkata’s most iconic landmarks. It demonstrates British planning and architecture and reflects its impact on the city’s architectural design. Viceroy Lord Curzon built the Hall, which is devoted to art history, in honour of the late Queen Victoria. The monument is one of India’s biggest and oldest museum libraries, and it is made completely of white marble. In addition to having 3,900 paintings and 28,934 artefacts, the hall is encircled by 21 gardens. Through the monument, visitors can learn about the history and legacy of the city. Families can also enjoy picnics there with local street cuisine.

Eco Park: One of the biggest urban parks in India is called Eco Park, and its design aims to encourage ecotourism in the area. The park is 475 acres long, with a lake and acres and acres of verdant vegetation. It is the perfect location for outdoor activities with friends and family and offers activities for all age groups.

The park offers a variety of activities, such as e-bikes, rifle shooting, zorbing, tandem cycling, kayaking, and high-speed boats. In addition to the activities, the park features several attractions such as the Japanese Garden, Children’s Eco Park, Floating Musical Fountain, Butterfly Garden, Play Area, and Eco Island, as well as models of the Seven Wonders. The island is perfect for those looking for a short getaway from daily life and for picnics.

Esplanade: Central Kolkata includes the neighbourhood of Esplanade. Since the location is not exactly next to a body of water, this is not your typical esplanade. Nonetheless, the Hooghly River, also called the Ganga River (Ganges), flows close by. The northern section of the jungle, which eventually gave rise to the Maidan, was known as the Esplanade. It used to extend along the Hooghly River from Dharmatala (now Lenin Sarani) to Chandpal Ghat. It became a popular promenade for ‘elegant walking parties’ during Warren Hastings’ time.

Indian Museum: The largest museum in India, the Indian Museum is the ninth-oldest worldwide. It has a broad variety of exhibits that highlight the rich historical and cultural legacy of the nation. The Egyptian mummy, the Buddhist pagoda, and the Indian Gallery, which features an extensive collection of antiquated objects and sculptures, are a few of the museum’s highlights. In addition, the museum offers a natural history department with an assortment of unusual and exotic flora and animals.

The Museum also has some of the most rare and distinctive collections of coins and sculptures from India dating back to the second century AD. All things considered, anyone interested in learning more about India’s past and present should make time to visit the Indian Museum.

The Eden Gardens: The Eden Gardens is the mecca of cricket. It is the oldest and second-largest cricket venue in India, ranking third globally, having been built in 1864. There is now a 66,000 capacity at the stadium. It is regarded by many as one of the world’s most famous cricket stadiums. It’s been referred to as “cricket’s Coliseum.” For most international cricket players, it has practically become a pilgrimage destination and is known for drawing the most vibrant and boisterous crowds.

Weather And Climate Of Kolkata

In Kolkata, the rainy season is hot, oppressive, and gloomy, whereas the dry season is warm, humid, and usually clear. Over the year, the temperature normally ranges from 56°F to 96°F, rarely falling below 51°F or rising over 101°F.

The hot season runs from March to June, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 92°F. The hottest month in Kolkata is May, with an average high of 95°F and a low of 79°F.

The chilly season runs from December to February, with average daily high temperatures below 80°F. The coldest month in Kolkata is January, with an average low of 56°F and a high of 77°F.

The best time to visit Kolkata for general outdoor tourist activities is between early November and early March, with a peak in the first week of December.

Population of Kolkata

The current predicted population of Kolkata city in 2024 is 6,386,000, with the Kolkata metro population estimated at 19,936,000. The current forecasts for Kolkata city are based on past growth rates. According to preliminary Census India data, Kolkata’s population in 2011 was 4,496,694. Although Kolkata has a population of 4,496,694, the urban/metropolitan population is 14,035,959.

Kolkata Religion

Hinduism is the majority religion in Kolkata, accounting for 76.51% of the population. Islam is the second most common religion in Kolkata, with roughly 20.60% embracing it. In Kolkata, Christianity is followed by 0.88%.

Economy of Kolkata

Kolkata is the leading business, commercial, and financial hub, with a GDP (PPP) of $220 billion (as of 2024). Kolkata is home to several industrial facilities run by significant public and private sector businesses; prominent industries include steel, heavy engineering, mining, minerals, cement, pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture, electronics, textiles, and jute.

The City is a significant banking hub. Currently, the city serves as the headquarters of the huge nationalised bank UCO Bank and a private scheduled bank, Bandhan Bank.

Bidhannagar, commonly known as Salt Lake City, is a planned satellite city. Salt Lake Sector-V is Bidhannagar City’s commercial sector and business centre inside the metropolitan area. Salt Lake Sector V, known as the IT, has an area of 430 acres.

Transport in Kolkata

Kolkata’s large road network connects to regional roads, state highways, and nationwide roads. The arterial road network helps to handle considerable traffic in Kolkata’s metropolitan area because the majority of the arterial roads are undivided four-lane roadways.

The bus transit system is the primary means of mass transportation in the city. There are numerous bus service companies, both in the public and private sectors. The Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), the South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC), and the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) are public bus operators.

The city boasts a robust railway network. It is well connected to the rest of India with a large railway network. It is the headquarters of two Indian railway divisions: the South Eastern Railway and the Eastern Railway.

Chitpur Railway Station, like Sealdah and Howrah, is a significant station in Kolkata. Both the SER and the ER run daily passenger trains to nearby districts such as South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, and Hooghly.

The tram in Kolkata was launched about 125 years ago. During those days, it was powered by horses. It evolved gradually, beginning with steam locomotives and progressing to electricity. Kolkata’s tram services are unique in India.

Calcutta Tram Company Ltd now operates the tram network in the city. CTC has a fleet of 275 trams, of which 150 are operational. CTC has 7 depots and 9 terminals, and it operates on all of the city’s busiest routes.

Kolkata Metro Rail is India’s first urban mass transit system. The first Metro train began service in October 1984, running between Esplanade and Bhowanipur for 3.4 kilometres. In September 1995, the entire 16.5-kilometer-long Metro Rail segment from Dum Dum to Tollygunj was commissioned.