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===[[User:Karmafist|Karmafist]]===
{{redirect|Calcutta}}
'''[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Karmafist|action=edit}} Vote here] (2/0/0) ending 00:51, 11 October 2005 (UTC)'''
{{User|Karmafist}} is a very qualified user, and I'm surprised that he isn't an admin yet. [http://kohl.wikimedia.org/~kate/cgi-bin/count_edits?user=Karmafist&dbname=enwiki Kate's edit tool] puts him at 2,359 edits; he has been around since August 9th, 2004, and while some users who are newer may have more edits, I feel that Karmafist truly deserves adminship. --[[User:WikiFanatic|WikiFanatic]]<sup>[[User_talk:WikiFanatic|Talk]] 00:51, 5 October 2005 (UTC)</sup>
{{India capital infobox |
:''Candidate, please indicate acceptance of the nomination here.''
native_name=Kolkata |
I accept the nomination. [[User:Karmafist|Karmafist]] 01:02, 5 October 2005 (UTC)
image_map=Kolkata_map.jpg |
latd = 22.82|longd=88.20|
state_name=West Bengal |
district= • [[Kolkata district|Kolkata]]<br /> • [[24 Parganas (South)]] <br /> • [[24 Parganas (North)]] <br /> • [[Howrah]] <br /> • [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]] <br /> • [[Nadia district|Nadia]]|
leader_title=Mayor |
leader_name= [[Bikash Bhattacharya]] |
altitude=6 |
population_as_of = 2001 |
population_total = 4.6 million (city), 13.2 million (urban agglomeration) |
population_density = 11,680 |
area_magnitude=1 E9 |
area_total=1,036 |
area_telephone= 91-033 |
postal_code= 700 0xx |
vehicle_code_range= WB-? |
footnotes = |
}}
'''Support'''
'''Kolkata''' ([[Bengali language|Bangla]]: কলকাতা, [[Hindi language|Hindi]]: कोलकता), is the capital of the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]] and was capital of [[British India]] until [[1912]]. The city's name was officially changed from '''Calcutta''' to Kolkata in January [[2001]]. Despite the new name being phonetically closer to the [[Bengali]] version, many people and organizations still refer to it as Calcutta. In [[Hindi]], the city is referred to as '''Kalkatta'''.
#'''Support''', as nominator. --[[User:WikiFanatic|WikiFanatic]]<sup>[[User_talk:WikiFanatic|Talk]] [[Special:Contributions/WikiFanatic|Contribs]] 19:51, 4 October 2005 (CDT)</sup>
#'''Support''' There's a flurry of good candidates lately :) <small>[[User:RN|Ryan Norton]] <sup><font color="#6BA800">[[User talk:RN|T]]</font> | <font color="#0033FF">[[Special:Emailuser/RN|@]]</font> | <font color="#FF0000">[[Special:Contributions/RN|C]]</font></sup></small> 01:10, 5 October 2005 (UTC)
#'''Support'''. Noticed user and always noticed judicious participation. [[User:Marskell|Marskell]] 01:20, 5 October 2005 (UTC)
'''Oppose'''
'''Neutral'''
''Kolkata'' also refers to the name of the [[Kolkata district|Kolkata administrative district]] of [[West Bengal]] that part of the city lies in. The urban agglomeration of Kolkata covers several municipal corporations, municipalities, city boards and villages and is the third largest urban agglomeration in India after [[Mumbai]] and [[Delhi]]. As per the census of 2001, the urban agglomeration's population was 13,216,546 while that of the city (Municipal Corporation of Kolkata) was 4,580,544. Kolkata city's population growth has been pretty low in the last decade.
#
'''Comments'''
The city is situated on the banks of the [[Hoogli River]] (a [[distributary]] of the [[Ganges]]). Some of the renowned engineering marvels associated with Kolkata include the bridges that span across this river to its twin city of [[Howrah]] (which is routinely considered as part of greater Kolkata): the [[Howrah Bridge]] (Rabindra Setu), [[Vivekananda Setu]] and [[Vidyasagar Setu]].
==History==
{{see details|History of Kolkata}}
[[Image:Situationsplan von Kalkutta (Kolkata).jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|An old map of Calcutta]]
'''Questions for the candidate'''<br />
Kolkata's history is intimately related to the [[British East India Company]], which first arrived in 1690, and to [[British India]], which Calcutta became the capital of [[India]] in [[1772]]. In the nineteenth century Calcutta was the epicentre of activity in the early stages of the national movement of independence. Kolkata remained in the forefront of Indian prosperity up to independence and for some more years afterwards before the population pressure on infrastructure and political disturbances led to a gradual decline. A violent and bloody [[Marxist Maoist]] movement known as the [[Naxal]] movement (after [[Naxalbari]], the place where it first started) in the 1970s left the city badly bruised.
''A few generic questions to provide guidance for voters:''
[[Image:City_of_Protests_Calcutta_20030315_B.jpg |thumb|left|Calcutta -- the City of Processions and Protests]]
:'''1.''' What sysop chores, if any, would you anticipate helping with? (Please read the page about [[Wikipedia:administrators|administrators]] and the [[Wikipedia:administrators' reading list|administrators' reading list]].)
::'''A'''.
==Modern Kolkata ==
:'''2.''' Of your articles or contributions to Wikipedia, are there any about which you are particularly pleased, and why?
Kolkata is the main business, commercial and financial hub of eastern [[India]]. Kolkata witnessed an economic decline from the late sixties till the late nineties. The city's economic fortunes turned the tide as the early nineties economic liberalization in India reached Kolkata's shores during late nineties. Kolkata is a multicultural, cosmopolitan city. Apart from the diversity of India, the cultures represented are that of the [[Europe]]ans (Including [[Germany|Germans]], [[Armenia]]ns, and others), and other [[Asian]]s (Including [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]], [[Sinhalese]], and [[Tibet]]ans).
::'''A'''.
:'''3.''' Have you been in any conflicts over editing in the past or do you feel other users have caused you stress? How have you dealt with it and will deal with it in the future?
Since 1977, a "Left Front" coalition of [[Left Front|communist and Marxist parties]] has continuously ruled the state. The coalition at one time renamed the street the American Consulate is on "[[Ho Chi Minh]] Street", in protest of American foreign policy at that time. The Left Front regained control of the Municipal Corporation of Kolkata from the Trinamul Congress in the 2005 civic elections.
::'''A'''.
===Economy===
[[Image:18thc bazar-calcutta.jpg |left|500px|Portrait of a bazaar in 18th century Calcutta]]
Tha '[[Baboo]]' culture and the left rule had taken its toll, and by the early [[1990s]], there was a gradual realisation that things needed to change. This led to wooing of foreign investment and control over the trade-union activism by the ruling Left establishement. Today, Kolkata is fast developing into a modern infotech city with various private sector setting up shop here. The landscape of the city is also fast changing with flyovers, gardens and newer commercial establishments. The Kolkata city itself has expanded into its suburbs, with ''Greater Kolkata'' stretching from Kalyani (in [[Nadia]] District) in the North to Diamond Harbour in the South (in the [[South 24 Parganas]] District).
The city's fortunes have looked up since the early nineties, coinciding with the liberalization of the Indian economy. Its economy has been amongst the fastest growing in the country. The New Metro city is characterised by popular shopping malls, restaurants, coffee shops and entertainment complexes such as the Inox Multiplex, Nandan, Tantra, Barista, Sourav's Pavilion and Science City.
Kolkata is home to many industrial units, of large Indian corporations, whose product range is varied and includes - engineering products, [[electronics]], [[electric]]al equipment, [[cables]], [[steel]], [[leather]], [[textile]]s, [[jewellery]], [[frigate]]s, [[automobile]]s, [[railway]] coaches, [[wagon]]s.
Several industrial estates like Taratolla, Kalyani, Uluberia, Dankuni, Kasba, Howrah are spread throughout the urban agglomeration. A huge leather complex has come up at Bantolla. An export processing zone has been set up in Falta. Specialized setups like the country's first Toy Park, and a Gem and Jewellery Park have also been established.
Kolkata is also becoming a major hub for the IT ([[Information Technology]]) industry. With the formation of New Town at [[Rajarhat]] and extension of [[Salt Lake City (Bidhan Nagar), Kolkata|Salt Lake]]'s Sector-V, Kolkata is rapidly turning into a pro-IT town. More and more businesses are coming to Kolkata to set up their offices, including multinationals such as IBM, HSBC and ABN AMRO Bank. Leading the way in growth have been the Kolkata grown companies such as Skytech, WDC, Vision Comptech amongst numerous others.
==Geography==
[[Image:Large Kolkata Landsat.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|A simulated-colour satellite image of Kolkata taken by NASA's Landsat 7 satellite.]]
Kolkata is located in the eastern part of India at {{coor dm|22|82|N|88|20|E|}}. It has spread linearly along the banks of the river Hooghly.[[image:Theganges.jpg|thumb|left|Boats alongside the Ganges river]]The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has an area of 185 square kilometres. The city proper today can be roughly divided into two sections along ''Mother Teresa Sarani'' (Park Street). North of Park Street is the more congested part of the city. South of Park Street is the slightly better planned section of the city.
The old Calcutta Business District (CBD) is where the seat of the West Bengal Government is located, along with many other government offices. Several banks have their corporate (Allahabad Bank, United Bank of India, UCO Bank) or regional headquarters (Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, Bank of India, Central Bank of India amongst many others) around the Bagh area. Many of Kolkata's older business groups have their main offices here. The area is a mix of multi-storeyed office blocks and colonial buildings.
[[Image:kolkata_photo14.jpg|frame|right|The Tata Centre,Kolkata ]]
The newer CBD is around the south of Park Street, Camac Street and AJC Bose Road. Several high-rise office blocks including some of Kolkata's tallest commercial buildings - like the Chatterjee International Centre, Tata Centre, Everest House, Industry House, CGO Building - are located here.
Maidan (open field) is situated between the river Ganges and J.L.Nehru Road (or Chowringhee).It is said to be the lungs of Calcutta.The lush green meadow also houses Victoria Memorial,Eden Gardens,and several other sporting clubs. Calcuttans simply love to stroll in the Maidan.
In an effort to relieve congestion in the main city, many government offices have shifted to high-rise office buildings lining Bidhan Nagar's ([[Salt Lake City (Bidhan Nagar), Kolkata |Salt Lake]]) Central Park.
The residential buildings are mainly lowrise and comprise of older colonial buildings and numerous new four storey apartment blocks. Ten to twelve storey apartment blocks have come up in large numbers in south Kolkata. The city has relaxed its rules on highrise construction recently and twenty storey buildings are becoming more common. The tallest residential towers of eastern India - the four thirty-five-storey towers of South City are under construction on Prince Anwar Shah Road.
Huge construction activity along the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass is changing the face of the city. Luxury hotels, a convention centre, speciality hospitals, condominium complexes, malls and multiplexes are coming up at a rapid pace.
The city's expansion in the eastern side is spearheaded by the construction of a huge new city called New Town adjacent to the well planned [[Bidhan Nagar]]. Located in Rajarhat, it is one of the largest planned urban developments in India.
The neglected western side of the urban agglomeration has got a boost recently with the signing of an agreement with an Indonesian company to build the West Kolkata International Township. Another huge new township is in the proposal state in Dankuni.
Slums and dilapidated structures exist in many pockets of the city proper and house over 25% of the city's population (Census 2001). Slum redevelopment schemes have helped improve living conditions to a slight extent but there is huge scope for improvement in this area. Efforts to shift slum dwellers to newer developments have often met with resistance and failure because many of the slums are in prime areas of the city and the slum dwellers who are integrated in the social structure of the neighbourhood do not want to shift.
==Ethnic Communities in Kolkata==
Kolkata, though comparatively young compared to the Indian city states like Delhi and Hyderabad, has nevertheless been a melting pot for international and Indian communities, even more so than the upscale and cosmopolitan Bombay and Delhi. Expatriate communities include
[[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]]
[[Tamils]]
[[Marwaris]]
[[Anglo-Indians]]
'''[[Jew]]s''' : Kolkata's [[Jew]]s are mostly [[Baghdadi Jews]] who came to Kolkata to trade. At one point as strong as 6000, the community has dwindled after the formation of [[Israel]] to about 60. The first recorded Jewish immigrant to Kolkata was [[Shalon Cohen]] in [[1798]] from [[Aleppo]] in present day [[Syria]]. The most influential Jewish family in Kolkata was perhaps the father - son real estate magnates [[David Joseph Ezra]] and [[Elia David Ezra]]. They were behind such buildings as the [[Chowringhee Mansions]], [[Esplanade Mansions]] and the synagogue [[Neveh Shalom]]. [[Ezra Street]] in Kolkata is named after them. The community has five independent synagogues in Kolkata, including one in [[Chinatown (Kolkata) | Chinatown ]] - some of which are still active today. The Jewish confectioner [[Nahoum's]] at [[New Market ( Kolkata) | New Market ]]holds a special place in Kolkata confectionery. A Jewish wedding in Kolkata after a gap of 50 years in the 1990s received a lot of press attention.
'''[[Armenians]]''' : The [[Armenians]] followed the land route through [[Bactria]] to trade with India from ancient times. They were known as the "Merchant Princes of India", and some settled in Emperor [[Akbar]]'s court. Some finally settled in [[Serampore]] and [[Kolkata]], supposedly under the invitation of [[Job Charnock]]. Among notable [[Armenians]], Sir A. [[Apcar]] was the head of the [[Bengal Chamber of Commerce]], and [[Arratoon Stephen]] built the [[Grand Hotel (Kolkata) | Grand Hotel ]] . The size of the [[Armenian]] community can be testified by the five [[Armenian]] cemeteries in [[Kolkata]], including the one adjunct to the [[Chapel of Holy Trinity]] in [[Tangra]]. A gift of Rs. 8000 by [[Aswatoor Mooradkhan]] helped found the [[Armenian Philanthropist Academy]] in 1821, which later became the still running [[Armenian College]]. [[Armenian College]] has been instrumental in pioneering the game of [[rugby]] on the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] turf. The Armenians settled in a block close to [[Free School Street]], which even to this day is called [[Armani-para]] ( the neighbourhood of the [[Armenians]]. They have mostly assimilated into the Indian population, and the community has now been reduced to a handful of houses.
'''[[Tibetans]]''' : The [[Tibetans]] were initially annual [[winter]] visitors to Kolkata, along with the [[ Bhutias ]] - vending woollens, while [[Afghans]] ( locally [[Kabuliwallahs]] ) - who used to vend spices and fruits. Post [[1951]], Kolkata became home to quite a few [[Tibetans]] who used the porous [[Sikkim]]-[[Tibet]] border to get to Kolkata. [[Winter]] sees large numbers of [[Tibetans]] set up winter garment streetside shops in the area around [[Wellington Square]]. The [[Tibetan]] community has also contributed to a large number of [[Tibetan]] restaurants serving ethnic [[Tibetan cuisine]].[[ Tibetan medicine ]] is well accepted in Kolkata as alternative therapy to terminal illnesses.
'''[[Greeks]]''' : The [[Greeks]] emigrated to India after the [[Ottoman]] and [[Turkey|Turkish]] invasions in the [[16th century]]. Kolkata had a sizeable [[Greece|Greek]] community, mostly a close-knit clan of noble families from the [[Greece|Greek]] island of [[Chios]], pursuing trade with the [[United Kingdom|British]]. The firm of [[Ralli Brothers]] is perhaps the most common [[Greek]] name in Kolkata - the [[Ralli]]s sold their firm in the 1960s after Indian independence and moved away, like most of the Greek community. The firm is presently known as [[Ralli India]], under the [[Tata Group]] of companies. The [[Greek]] community was centred around [[Amratollah Street]] around the [[Greek Church of the Transfiguration]](built 1782). The most famous [[Greek]] to hail from Kolkata possibly was the gifted violinist [[Marie Nicachi]] who embarked on a European tour in 1910 and played at the courts of Emperor [[Franz Josef]] of [[Austria]] and Tsar [[Nicholas II]] of [[Russia]]. She settled in her familial home of [[Corfu]] after the [[1st World War]]. Th e Greek contribution to the city will be remembered by the pioneering social work at the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] and the [[Panioty Fountain]] in the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] after [[Demetrius Panioty]] - personal secretary to the "friend of India" [[Lord Ripon]].
'''[[Parsees]]'''
==Festivals==
===Religious Festivals===
[[Image:S327_coll-sqr-big-small.png|260px|thumb|right|An elaborate [[pandal]] replicating the palace of the [[Maharaja of Cooch Behar]] in [[College Square]], Kolkata during [[Durga Puja]]]][[Image:Durgapuja2 04.jpg|300px|thumb|left| Durga Puja celebrates the Annual Homecoming of the Mother Goddess in the wake of the triumph of Good over Evil]]
The '''[[Durga Puja]]''' festival, held in accordance to the [[lunar calendar]] of [[Bangabda]] around the first week of October, is the most vibrant time in Kolkata. This [[Hindu]] religious festival commemorates the mythology of Goddess [[Durga]] and her trusty lion steed overpowering and killing the demon [[Mahishasura]] ( Buffalo-demon ). The first ceremony takes place on [[Mahalaya]] - the day the Goddess was conceived, and ends on [[Bijaya Dashami]] ( the victorious tenth day ) - the day the Goddess finally kills the demon in battle. [[Puja]] is performed only on the sixth to the tenth day. Kolkata celebrates [[Durga Puja]] with elaborate [[pandal]] ( temporary decorative scaffolding serving the purpose of a temple ) constructions on virtually every street, crowds of people thronging the streets of Kolkata all night ( the number is purported to be a few million on the climactic eighth and ninth nights - possibly the second largest annual human conglomerate after the [[Haj]]) , the practice of giving gifts - usually new clothes in the latest fashion in Pre-Puja get togethers, and sweets at Post-puja get togethers ( [[Bijaya Sammelani]] ), and the commemoration of the festival by the publishing of [[Annuals]] ( [[Sharadiya]] or Puja Annual) by most Kolkata magazines and presses.
'''[[Kali Puja]]''' is primarily a Bengali festival, held in accordance to the [[lunar calendar]] around the first week of [[November]]. The Goddess [[Kali]] is worshipped at night on one night during [[Kali Puja]]. [[Kali Puja]] is light-up night for Kolkata, corresponding to the [[North India]]n festival of [[Diwali]] ( or [[Dipabali]] in Bengali ), where people light candles in memory of the souls of departed ancestors. This is also [[fireworks]] night, with local youth burning sparklers and crackers throughout the night. Kolkata had to pass [[legislature]] a few years back to ban fireworks which break the 65 [[decibel]] sound limit, as ambient noise levels were going upto 90 [[decibels]] and more in parts of the city.
'''[[Saraswati Puja]]''' - the puja of the Goddess of Learning [[Saraswati]] is celebrated with domestic pujas, and familial gatherings in Kolkata. The typical fare ([[bhog]]) which accompanies the Puja depends dramatically on whether the family is initially from [[West Bengal]] or [[ghoti]]) or from [[East Bengal]] (now [[Bangladesh]]) or [[bangal]]. [[Ghoti]]s have vegetarian fare, while [[bangal]]s partake paired [[Hilsa]] fishes.[[Image:SaraswatiPuja.jpg|thumb|right| In Bengal, during Saraswati Puja students celebrate the Homecoming of the Goddess of Learning. Books are often worshipped in lieu of the clay image of the Goddess]].[[Image:Ratha yatra.jpg|thumb|left|the Annual Ratha Yatra or Chariot Procession]]
[[Idol]]s for these and other [[Puja]]s are made in the famous [[potter]]s' distict of [[Kumartuli]].
'''[[Dol]]''', corresponding to the [[North India]]n festival of [[Holi]], is celebrated on account of the god Lord [[Krishna]], and is supposedly coincident with the coming of [[Spring (season)|spring]]. The festival of colour involves powdered colour - [[aabir]], and water colour - [[jal rang]]. Unsuspected passers by are often drenched by coloured water balloons, and celebrations often get rowdy with the men partaking the intoxicating drink of [[bhang | shiddhi]] ([[bhang]]), often laced with the stronger [[charas]].
'''[[Ratha yatra]]''' : The symbolic movement of the [[chariot]] of [[Jagannath]] (source of the English [[juggernaut]]) is celebrated with much fanfare in Kolkata due to the huge chariot brought out by [[ISKCON]]. The destination of the idols are the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]]. The idols are brought back after a week in the chariot in the festival of '''Ulto Ratha''' ( reversed ratha ) . The week is synonymous with numerous fairs ( Rather mela ) held all over Kolkata parks - known for their distinctive food, and [[carousel]]s. Myth has it that it always rains on the day of [[Ratha yatra]] in Kolkata.
'''[[Eid]]''' - the two Eids [[Eid ul Fitr]] (the little feast) and [[Eid ul-Adha]] (the big feast) commemorate the passing of the month of fasting [[Ramadan]] and the willingness of [[Mohammad]] to sacrifice his son [[Ishmael]] for [[Allah]]. Kolkata being the gastronomic capital of Eastern India, the feasts are often lavish street affairs open to all, and restaurants specializing in Islamic cuisine like [[Shiraz (Kolkata) |Shiraz]], [[Nizam (Kolkata) | Nizam ]] and [[Aminia]] offer special menus for the day.
'''[[Christmas]]''' was a big festival in Kolkata during the [[British Raj]], but has slowly declined in importance since. The [[Anglo-Indian]] community stills celebrate [[Christmas]] in a big way, with a huge service at [[St.Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata]] and with the [[Park Street (Kolkata)| Park Street]] restaurant district and [[New Market (Kolkata) | New Market]] decked out on the 24th and 25th. The multicultural nature of Kolkata becomes apparent as the most sought after confectionaries during this time were from the British confectioners [[Flury's]] and Jewish confectioners [[Nahoum's]].
===Bengali New Year===
The [[Bengali New Year]] or "Poila Baisakh" ( the first day of the month of [[Baisakh]]) is celebrated around April 15 on the basis of the [[lunar calendar]] of [[Bangabda]]. Visitors to homes are greeted with sweets, and trade establishments offer free sweets as a goodwill gesture on this day. It is celebrated by cultural programmes throughout Kolkata.
===Cultural Festivals===
The '''[[Dover Lane Music Festival]]''' is one of the most prestigious festivals of [[Hindustani Classical Music]], showcasing maestros the world over and well as promising new talent. It has been held for the past 25 years in the [[January conglomerate holiday]] ( January 23 - January 26 ) period and comprises three all-night recitals. Initially held open air at [[Dover Lane]] in [[South Kolkata]], due to the large crowds it is now held at the open air theatre [[Nazrul Mancha]] . It is held in conjunction with the [[Dover Lane Music Conference]].[[Image:Boimela22 pic3.jpg|thumb|left|The Calcutta Book Fair which started in 1975, is held annually]]
The '''[[Calcutta Book Fair]]''' or Kolkata Boi Mela is a very unique and the world's largest non-trade annual book fair. Held on the [[Maidan]], this attracted over 600 stalls selling over Rs. 18,00,00,000 worth of books and attracting close to 150,000 visitors in 2005. Started in 1975 by the [[Publishers' and Booksellers' Guild]] it has rapidly become one of the world's leading book fairs. It has a Monmarte with budding poets and artists, an annual theme country with authors like [[Gunter Grass]] and [[Richard Dawkins]] visiting the fair as chief guests, a fairground experience complete with candyfloss and hawkers, but most importantly it provides a place to view more than a million new and used book titles at one go - a larger book conglomerate than any [[Barnes and Noble]] or [[Borders Group|Borders]] superstore. It starts on the last weekend of January, and encompasses two weeks and three weekends.
The '''[[Calcutta International Film Festival]]''' is screened annually from November 10 - 17. The largest and most prestigious of its kind in India, it was started in 1995 and is affiliated to the [[International Federation of Film Producers’ Association]] (FIAPF) in Paris. Kolkata's strong ties to film-making ( through such icons as [[Satyajit Ray]] and more recently,[[Rituparno Ghosh]] ) has boosted the festival and it screens a large clutch of international critically acclaimed new films every year.
The '''[[National Theatre Festival]]''' is an annual event and the biggest event in the Indian theatre calendar. Kolkata is the theatre capital of India, and the festival is organized by the [[Nandikar]] group, one of the most dynamic and talented Indian theatre groups. It was initiated in [[1984]] to commemorate [[Nandikar]]'s silver jubilee and has not looked back since.
==Places of Interest==
Kolkata been [[nickname]]d the '''City of Palaces'''. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city.
During the British colonial era from [[1700]]-[[1912]], when Kolkata was the capital of [[British India]], Kolkata witnessed a spate of frenzied construction activity of buildings largely influenced by the conscious intermingling of Gothic, Baroque, Roman, Oriental and Islamic schools of design. Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalism, the layout of much of the architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to [[European]] styles and tastes imported by the British and, to a much lesser extent, the Portuguese and French.
The buildings were designed, and inspired by the tastes of the English gentleman around and the aspiring Bengali [[Babu]] (literally a nouveau riche Bengali who aspired to cultivation of English etiquette, manners and custom as such practices were favourable to monetary gains from the British).
Today many of these structures are in various stages of decay. Some of the major buildings of this period are well maintained and several buildings have been declared as heritage structures.Conservation efforts are patchy and are often affected by problems of litigation, tenant troubles, ownership disputes, old tenancy laws and a lack of funds.
===Museums and Libraries===
[[image:Victoriamemorial.jpg|260px|thumb|right|The Victoria Memorial, set in its well tended lawns, is back to back with St. Paul's Cathedral]]
Born as [[Lord Curzon]]'s brainchild as a memorial to the Empress of India [[Victoria II]] after her death in [[1902]], the '''[[Victoria Memorial]]''' was modelled on the [[Taj Mahal]] and was comissioned in [[1906]]. Opened to the public in [[1921]], it was designed by the architects [[William Emerson]] and his protege [[Vincent Esch]] at the extraordinary cost of Rupees 10.5 million, all of which was collected as voluntary donations, mostly from the [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[India|Indian]] nobility. The memorial holds numerous paintings of the [[British royal family]], miniature paintings of the [[Mughal School]], [[oil paintings]] of the [[Company school]] (notably the uncle - nephew pair of [[Thomas Daniell]] and [[William Daniell]]), historial artefacts like the throne of the [[Nawab of Bengal]], many lithographs and documents of historical interest,and various post-Raj artefacts significant in the history of Kolkata (added to the collection after independence). The memorial is set in extensive and beautiful lawns, and is lit up at night. A laser audio-visual show is held on the lawns every evening. The [[banshee]] on the top of the museum is said to be haunted, and has been prominently featured in many Kolkata stories and novels. It is regarded with pride and joy in Kolkata and colloquially referred to as the "Victoria".
[[image:Dsc04117.jpg|260px|thumb|left|The Indian Museum courtyard and gardens]]
The '''[[Indian Museum]]''' is the largest museum in [[Asia]] and the oldest in the [[Asia - Pacific]] region (est. 1814 at the ___location of the [[Asiatic Society]]) . The Museum shifted to its present sprawling residence in [[1875]]. Situated on [[Chowringhee Avenue]], it houses perhaps the greatest collection of [[Indian Natural History]] and an [[Indian Art]] collection to rival the [[Smithsonian]] and the [[British Museum]]. Of specific note are the [[meteorite]] hall and [[dinosaur]] hall in the [[Natural History and Geology]] section, the [[numismatics]] section and the collections of [[Gandhara Art]], [[Burmese]] woodwork, [[Mughal]] miniatures and [[Tibetan]] banner sections in the [[Indian Art]] section. [[The [[Anthropological Survey of India]] headquarters and the [[Government College of Art and Craft]] are housed in the same building. The [[Geological Survey of India]] headquarters moved from the museum to [[Bidhan Nagar]] recently. The [[Indian Museum]] has a library of excellent historical value, with a special focus on the [[Raj]] and Kolkata.
[[image:Dsc04174.jpg|260px|thumb|right|The privately owned Marble Palace]]
The '''[[Marble Palace]]''' is a privately owned collection of eclectic sculptures, paintings and a small menagerie and aviary off [[Chittaranjan Avenue]] in [[North Kolkata]]. Built by [[Raja Rajendra Mullick]] in [[1835]], it houses, among other treasures two little-publicized [[Reubens]] and a [[Joshua Reynolds]], not to mention over 50 varieties of [[marble]] which grace the interiors of this mansion.
'''[[Birla Industrial and Technological Museum]]''' on [[Gurusaday Road]], was inaugurated in [[1959]] as the first popular science museum in [[Asia]]. Modelled on the [[Deutsches Museum]], it has interactive popular science exhibits and a significant collection of historical industrial holdings in India. Its collection of old [[gramophone]]s, [[sound recorders]], [[telephones]], [[steam engine]]s, [[road roller]]s and other industrial machinery of the period [[1880]] - [[1950]] is very significant. The museum sports a vintage model of the [[Rolls Royce]] [[Phantom]] make. It also actively organizes summer camps, awareness programs and astronomy observations for school children.[[image:Science city.jpg|thumb|left| The Science City is one of Calcutta'a major attractions]]
'''[[Science City]]''' is a complex near the [[Eastern Metropolitan Bypass]] featuring a lot of interactive science and live bioscience exhibits, as well as having Kolkata's first [[OMNIMAX]] theatre.
The Tagore Jorasanko Museum
[[Gurusaday Museum]], on [[Diamond Harbour Road]], is the outcome of a lifetime of collection of traditional [[Bengal folk arts]] in undivided [[Bengal]] by Sir [[Gurusaday Dutt]]. On his death in [[1941]], the collection was handed over to the [[Bratachari Society]]founded by Sir[[Gurusaday Dutt]] to preserve and protect [[Bengal folk art]]s. It was opened as a museum to the public with the help of the [[Goverment of India]] in 1963. It contains, among other fine handicrafts, [[terracotta]] panels, [[kantha]] or folk [[quilt]] work, and [[pat]]s ( or hand painted scrolls of the late 1900s), notably of the [[Kalighat school]] and [[Jorano]] style.
Maritime Museum
'''[[Jawahar Shishu Bhavan]]''' is named after [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], whose love for children was well known. The museum has a collection of dolls and toys from across the globe, and has a doll - based retelling of the [[Indian]] [[epics]] [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]]. Established in [[1972]] close to the [[Victoria Memorial]], and commonly referred to as "Nehru Children's Museum", this museum is aging awkwardly fast.
'''[[National Library of India]]''' located in Alipore is India's leading library and a public library. It was inaugurated in [[1836]] by the [[Governor General]] [[Lord Meltcalfe]] by transferring 4675 books from the [[College of Fort William]]. Public donations were the main source of books for the library, and by donations of Rupees 300 from proprietors. [[Dwarakanath Tagore]] was the first proprietor of the library. The library was initially only partially public, as poor students could use the library for a limited period of time. The [[Imperial Library]] was founded in [[1891]] by merging several libraries like those of the [[East India College]] and [[East India Board]]. [[Governor General]] [[Lord Curzon]] initiated the merger of these two libraries into a single [[Imperial Library]] in [[1903]] at the [[Metcalfe Hall]]. The goals of the library were to collect ''every'' book written about India at any time. The Assistant Librarian of the British Museum [[John Macfarlane]] was the first librarian and was succeeded by the first [[Indian]] librarian [[Harinath De]]. The library was moved to its present quarters in [[Belvedere Estate]], [[Alipore]] and renamed the [[National Library]]. It is a fully public library which co-ordinates the activities of all other Indian public libraries. True to its goal, any book published in India today has to send one copy to the [[National Library, Kolkata]] in the spirit of the [[Library of Congress]], [[United States]].
The other popular Kolkata libraries include the '''[[Ramkrishna Mission Library]]''', maintained by [[Ramkrishna Mission]], Kolkata which has a special children's section, as well as the large consulate-based libraries of '''[[British Council]]''', Kolkata and of the '''[[United States Information Service]]''', Kolkata. The [[Calcutta Club]] library has a historically significant collection, including the fully furnished and book-stocked reading room of [[Nirad C. Chaudhuri]]. The other historically significant libraries are those of [[Asiatic Society]], [[Indian Museum]], [[Presidency College]], [[Scottish Church College]], and
[[St. Xavier's College, Calcutta]].
===British Administrative Offices===
High Court
Bankshall Court
[[Image:Raj bhavan.jpg|thumb|260px|right|The Raj Bhavan, or Governor's House, modelled on [[Kedleston Hall]]]]
'''Raj Bhavan''' or Government House, Kolkata, built in the early [[19th century]], is modelled on [[Kedleston Hall]]. The House was once the seat of the [[Viceroy]]s of India; later, when the Government moved to New Delhi, it became the residence of the Governor of [[Bengal]], a function that it fulfils to this day. While the basic features of Kedleston have been faithfully copied (the Palladian Front, the Dome etc.), Government House is a much larger, three storeyed structure. Also, the Government of India evidently did not have the funding constraints that forced the Curzons to leave their house incomplete: Government House has all four wings originally conceived for Kedleston. So today, a 'complete', brick built Kedleston, on a much grander scale, is located in its acres of gardens at the heart of the Kolkata business district.
Town Hall
Writers' Building
General Post Office
Esplanade Mansion
South Eastern Railway Headquarters, Garden Reach
Howrah Station
===The Historic Hotels===
The '''[[Great Eastern Hotel]]''' was born [[Auckland Hotel]] in [[1841]], at the crossroads of the [[Old Courthouse Street]] and [[British India Street]], founded by confectioner [[David Wilson]] and named after the current [[Governor General]] [[Lord Auckland]]. It grew from strength to strength over the [[19th century | 19th]] and first half of the [[20th century]]. Locally known as "Wilson's Hotel", it was also known as "Auckland Hotel and the Hall of Nations" in the 19th century, and was referred to as the "Japani Hotel" ( Japanese Hotel ) colloquially in the 20th century, due to the large number of Japanese tourists there. The hotel was extremely elite, referred to as the [[Jewel of the East]] and "the best hotel East of the [[Suez]]" by [[Mark Twain]] on his voyage along the Equator, and described by [[Rudyard Kipling]] in "[[The City of Dreadful Night]]". It had notable board members like the author [[Parry Chand Mitter]] and stockholders like [[W. C. Bonnerjee]] - president of the [[Indian National Congress]]. The hotel was famous for its new year parties thrown by [[Maharajah]]s ( like the [[Maharajah of Cooch Behar]] ) uptil the 1950s. It has been host to such notables as [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on her [[India]] visit, [[Nikita Khruschev]]'s delegation in the [[1950s]], and visiting international [[cricket]] teams. The hotel kitchens, manned by the legendary [[Baruah]]s of [[Chittagong]] ( now in [[Bangladesh]] ), was the talk of Kolkata. It steadily progressed downhill since the 1970s, and was taken over by the [[Government of West Bengal]] in [[1975]] on grounds of insolvency. [[Labour union]] problems caused the hotel to worsen until a sensationalist news campaign by [[The Telegraph]] exposed the sorry state of the hotel in the 1990s. As of [[2005]], the [[Government of West Bengal]] is overcoming [[labour union]] issues and re-selling the hotel back to the private sector.
The '''[[Grand Hotel]]''' had humble beginnings as [[Mrs. Monte]]'s Boarding House at 13, [[Chowringhee Street]]. Acquired by the [[Armenian]] real-estate baron [[Arrathoon Stephen]], it turned into a 3-story 500-room hotel. Acquired by [[Mohan Singh Oberoi]] in [[1938]], it became the [[Oberoi Grand]]. The hotel got a major lift during [[World War II]] when about 4000 soldiers were billeted there, and would party regularly. Events like the U.S. Marines' Ball at the hotel remind visitors of such times.
===City Parks===
'''[[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]]''' means "field" in [[Hindi]] and [[Bengali]]. The Kolkata [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] was once a vast uninterrupted field, right down to the edge of the [[Hoogli]], but is being encroached upon by the city and is fragmented by roads. The [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] has nurtured sports like [[Polo]], and has been the home of [[equastrianism]], [[horse racing]], [[football]], [[cricket]] and [[rugby]] in Kolkata. It houses numerous clubs including the "big three" of Indian [[football]] - [[Mohun Bagan]] Athletic Club, [[East Bengal]] Football Club and [[Mohommedan Sporting]] Club along with their respective home stadiums. The arterial [[Chowringhee Avenue]], [[Eden Gardens]] and the waterfront [[Millenium Park]] border the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]]. The [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] abounds with monuments and statues, the most famous of them being [[Shaheed Minar]] and the statue of ace footballer [[Gostho Pal]].
'''[[Rabindra Sarobar]]''' or "The Lake" is an artifical lake and urban park in the spirit of [[Central Park]], [[New York City]]. The park has a lake and an island with a footbridge, an open air amphitheatre ( [[Nazrul Mancha]] ), a sports stadium ( [[Rabindra Sarobar Stadium]] ) , a children's park and the rowing clubs of [[Calcutta Rowing Club]] and [[Lake Club]].[[Image:Millennium park.jpg|thumb|right|Millennium Park, Kolkata]]
The [[Bidhan Nagar| Salt Lake]] '''[[Central Park (Bidhan Nagar) | Central Park]]''' is a large urban park in the centre of the [[Bidhan Nagar]] township, with a lake in the middle and information technology and government offices along its fringes.
The '''[[Shibpur Botanical Gardens]]''', spread over 270 [[acre]]s, was founded in [[1786]] and is the oldest "botanics" in [[India]]. Housing 50,000 species, the [[Botanical Survey of India]] and one of the world's most historically relevant [[herbarium]]s, it is famous for its 250 year old 98 feet tall banyan tree - which has the largest girth of any banyan tree ever recorded (1300 feet) . '''[[Alipur Zoological Gardens]]''' was founded in [[1875]], inaugurated by [[Edward VII]], then [[Prince of Wales]]. Initially started from the personal menagerie of the then [[Governor General]] [[Schwendler]], it grew based on gifts from British and Indian nobility - like [[Raja Suryakanta Acharya]] of [[Mymensingh]] in whose honour the open air tiger enclosure is named the [[Mymensingh Enclosure]]. The zoo was ill-reputed because of cross breeding experiments between [[lion]]s and [[tiger]]s to produce strains like [[tigon]]s, [[liger]]s, and [[litigon]]s. The most famous specimen in the zoo is probably the [[Aldabra Seychelles Giant Tortoise]] gifted to the zoo in 1875 ( brought by British seafarers to Lord Clive's menagerie from Seychelles ) , and over 250 years old now. The other success story of the zoo was a live birth of the rare [[Sumatran Rhinoceros]] in 1889. The zoo is presently downsizing to meet animal comfort requirements laid down by the [[Central Zoo Authority of India]]. The zoo is also on the [[flyway]] for several [[migratory birds]] like the [[Sarus Crane]].
'''[[Millenium Park (Kolkata) | Millenium Park]]''' is the newest city park on the banks of the River [[Hoogli]].
===Theatres===
Chitpur Jatra District
Nandan - Rabindra Sadan Complex
===Art Galleries===
Academy of Fine Art
CIMA
===Statues and Memorials===
[[Image:Sahid minar.jpg|thumb|right|The Shaheed Minar or Ochterlony Monument, Kolkata ]]
The '''[[Shaheed Minar]]''' or "Tower of the Martyrs", (originally Ochterlony Monument) was constructed on the northern fringe of the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan ]] in honour of Sir [[David Ochterlony]] who commanded the [[British East India Company]] forces in the [[Gurkha War]] of [[1816]] and the Nepal Wars in 1846. It was renamed [[Shaheed Minar]] in honour of the fallen [[freedom fighters]] after [[Indian]] independence.
Other memorials in Kolkata include the [[Panioty fountain]], and the [[William Jones]] [[obelisk]] at the [[South Park Street cemetery]].
Kolkata is full of statues celebrating [[United Kingdom|British]] heritage and the [[Indian]] Renaissance and freedom movement. The [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] is a particularly good place for statue-hunting. A few of the more notable landmarks:
The statue of [[Netaji]] by Marathi sculptor [[Nagesh Yoglekar]] - at the [[Shyambazar]] five point crossing.
The statue of [[Lord Outram]] by Irish sculptor [[John Foli]] (1874) - in front of the [[Victoria Memorial]], originally at the [[Park Street (Kolkata) | Park Street]] and [[Chowringhee Avenue]] crossing.
The statue of [[Vidyasagar | Iswarchandra Vidyasagar]] by Bengali sculptor [[Pramod Gopal Chattopadhyay]] (1899) - on the premises of [[Sanskrit College]].
The statue of [[Rabindranath Tagore]] by Russian sculptor [[Aizekovich Azgur]] (1963) - at the [[Jorasanko]] [[Tagore]] residence.
The statue of [[David Hare]] by unknown sculptor (1847) - one of Kolkata's few marble statues, on the precincts of [[Presidency College]].
A comprehensive list of Kolkata statues can be found at http://www.catchcal.com/kaleidoscope/statue.asp .
===Sports Venues===
[[Image:edengardens.jpg|thumb|260px|right|The Eden Gardens, home to cricket in India]]
'''[[Eden Gardens]]''' presently one of only two 100,000 seater amphitheatres for the game of cricket ( the other being [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] ) was initially an extension of the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] under the supervision of [[Governor General]] [[Lord Auckland]], and looked after by the [[Eden sisters]] of the [[Lord Auckland | Auckland]] family. The gardens house a transported [[burmese]] [[pagoda]] of exquisite design. The pavilion was built in [[1871]] and the 1st [[first class match]] played in the season of 1911-12. It has since hosted many international [[test matches]], [[one day matches]] and tournaments, including the final of the [[Cricket World Cup]] in [[1987]]. Its exalted status in cricketing history comes from the lush outfield, stellar performances ( like [[V.V.S. Laxman]]'s 281), and not least the intense crowd support. The stadium has a history of crowd violence - involving riots in the stands in [[1967]] (when the stadium burnt), [[1996]] and [[1999]]. [[Image:Saltlake.jpg|thumb|260px|left|The Salt Lake Stadium]]
'''[[Salt Lake Stadium | Yuva Bharati Krirangan]]''', also called the [[Salt Lake Stadium]], is a 122,000 - strong amphitheatre used for soccer matches and concerts. It is purposely not a [[home stadium]] for any soccer team. It hosted the bulk of the 3rd [[SAF Games | South Asian Federation Games]] in Kolkata in [[1987]].
The '''[[Netaji Indoor Stadium]]''', adjacent to the [[Eden Gardens]], is a 120,000 seater air-conditioned indoor stadium, having hosted internationally significant events like the last rites of [[Mother Teresa]] in [[1997]]. Constructed in [[1975]] to host the [[World Table tennis Championships]], it also has the '''[[Kshudiram Anusilani Kendra]]''' - a smaller auditorium without gallery facilities for training purposes.
The '''[[Calcutta Cricket and Football Club]]''' (originally the [[Calcutta Cricket Club]]) is the second oldest cricket club in the world, after the [[Marleybourne Cricket Club]]. Founded in [[1792]] as the [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], it merged later with the [[Calcutta Football Club]] (founded [[1872]]) to become the [[Calcutta Cricket and Football Club]], and is located on [[Gurusaday Road]]. It has arguably the most picturesque cricket ground in Kolkata. Recent evidence in the form of an article in [[Hicky's Bengal Gazette]], suggests the club existed in [[1780]] - which would make it the oldest cricket club in the world.
The '''[[Royal Calcutta Turf Club]]''' is the oldest turf club in [[India]], and one of the most beautiful and largest in the world. Encompassing a significant area of the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]], it was founded in [[1847]], and is distinguished for its "[[Monsoon Track]]" - one of the fastest draining tracks in the world. It was conferred the epithet "Royal" by [[George V]] in [[1912]].
Kolkata is one of the few cities in the world to boast of three beautiful 18 hole [[golf course]]s within city limits - at the [[Royal Calcutta Golf Club]], [[Tollygunj Club]] and [[Fort William]]. The '''[[Royal Calcutta Golf Club]]''', founded in 1829, is the oldest [[golf club]] outside the [[British Isles]]. It was variously located in [[Dum Dum]] and [[Maidan]], but finally settled down in [[Tollygunj]] and was conferred the epithet "Royal' by [[George V]] at the [[Delhi Durbar]] in [[1911]].
Kolkata is home to the world's oldest active [[polo]] club, the '''[[Calcutta Polo Club]]'''. Situated on the [[Maidan ( Kolkata ) | Maidan]], the club was founded in [[1862]] and is the second oldest polo club in the world. Kolkata has yet another polo club in the [[Fort William Polo Club]]. The CPC polo grounds are located in the maidan and maintained jointly with the RCTC.
Kolkata is also home to one of the oldest squash and rackets clubs in the world - the '''[[Calcutta Racket Club]]''', founded in [[1793]].
[[South Club (Kolkata) | '''South Club''']], established in [[1920]], has beautiful tennis courts in [[Deshapriya Park]], and has been venue for [[Davis Cup]] matches.
[[Rabindra Sarobar]] is the home and pool for the rowing clubs of '''[[Lake Club]]''' and '''[[Calcutta Rowing Club]]'''.
===Markets and Malls===
'''[[New Market (Kolkata) | New Market]]''' is Kolkata's historic shopping district. Opened in [[1874]], it was named [[Hogg Market]] after the commissioner Sir [[Stuart Hogg]]. The beautiful fountain and benches at the market no longer exist, but the popularity of the market has not waned, and the beautiful gothic clock tower recalls the British heritage of the market. It was renamed [[New Market]] after Independence. [[New Market]] led the way for [[Christmas]] and [[New Year]] festivities with confectionary shops like [[Nahoum's]] putting up a special spread. The market is organized on the basis of merchandize. It burnt down partially in [[1985]] but has been restored and expanded with a new building since.
Kolkata has seen a spurt of shopping malls with the rise of the buying power of the Kolkata populace. Shopping arcades like [[Shoppers' Stop]] and [[Emami Shoppers' City]] in [[Central Calcutta]] have brought international brands from [[Swarovski]] to [[Godiva]] to the city, breaking the city's dependence on the older market complexes like A.C. Market and Vardhaan Market, which were mainly [[China|Chinese]] import dependent. [[Swabhumi]] has been modelled as an [[ethnic]] shopping arcade near the [[Eastern Metropolitan Bypass]].
===Places of Worship===
Dakshineshwar Kali Temple
Kalighat
Birla Temple
Belur Math
Bhoothnath
Tipu Sultan Mosque
Nakhoda Masjid
[[image:Dsc04126.jpg|260px|thumb|St. Paul's Cathedral]]
[[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata]] stands on the "island of attractions" in Kolkata - beside [[Victoria Memorial]], [[Nandan]] - [[Rabindra Sadan]] theatre complex, and the [[Birla Planetarium]]. It was completed in [[1847]], after being in construction for 8 years. [[Major William Nairn Forbes]], with the assistance of [[C.K. Robinson]] designed the cathedral, modelling the tower and spire upon the [[Norwich Cathedral]]. The tower was rebuilt along the lines of [[Bell Harry Tower]] in [[Canterbury Cathedral]] following the [[1834 Calcutta earthquake]]. The Bishop's House across the street is also a very impressive piece of architecture.
St. John's Church
Greek Orthodox Church
Armenian Church
Synagogue
===Bridges of Kolkata===
[[image:Howrah Bridge.gif|thumb|left|The Howrah Bridge which spans the [[Hoogli]] River, linking [[Howrah]] to Kolkata was built by British in 1943]][[image:Vidyasagar setu.jpg|thumb|right|The Vidyasagar Setu or Second Hooghly Bridge which spans the [[Hoogli]] River, was inaugurated in 1991]]
'''Howrah Bridge''' or [[Rabindra Setu]]
The '''Second Hooghly Bridge''' or [[Vidyasagar Setu]]
'''Bally Bridge''' or [[Vivekananda Setu]]
===British Era Clubs===
Perhaps one of the last cities in the world where a "club" stills means a watering hole and not a discotheque, Calcutta has quite a hangover of Imperial clubs, which are struggling to change from an anglophillic, chauvinist image to an intellectual and modern one.
Calcutta Club
Bengal Club
Tollygunj Club
Royal Calcutta Golf Club
===British Era Buildings===
LIC Building
Esplanade Mansion
Howrah Station
Sealdah Station
State Bank
S. E. Railway HQ
===Educational Institutes of Academic and Historical Interest===
Asiatic Society
University of Calcutta
Presidency College
[[image:Mchold.jpg|thumb|240px|The Medical College building as it used to be]]
Kolkata Medical College
Scottish Church College
Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences
Jadavpur University
St. Xaviers' College
David Hare Training College
Hindu School
Hare School
Sanskrit Collegiate School
===Amusement Parks===
'''[[Park Circus]]''' has been the ___location for all [[big top]]s in Kolkata since the last century. This distinction earlier went to the [[Auckland Circus Gardens]] ( now [[Eden Gardens]] ) but shifted to [[ Park Circus ]] (at the end of [[Park Street (Kolkata) | Park Street]]) at the turn of the century. Recent fiascos, including a circus fire in 2005, and animal atrocity charges, have left the circus industry down in the dumps, and [[Park Circus]] now hosts more winter fairs than circuses.
A host of new amusement parks have sprung up in recent times - the most notable being [[Nicco Park]] - the first modern amusement park in Kolkata and [[Aquatica]] - the theme water park, both in [[Bidhan Nagar]].
===Walks===
The '''[[College Street]]''' walk involves a walk down Kolkata's most academic street - with historical institutions like [[Presidency College]], [[Calcutta Medical College]], [[Bethune College]], [[Scottish Church College]], the [[University of Calcutta]] and [[India Coffee House]]. The sidewalks are overrun with pedestrians, and the streets with vehicles, but the ambience of the street comes from literally hundreds of used book stores on either side of the street selling a potpourri of literature and text books. [[Operation Sunshine]] - Kolkata's drive to remove street hawkers, had a special clause ruling hawkers on [[College Street]]. [[College Square]] at the heart of [[College Street]], has a square pool. Bookstores of repute include [[Dasgupta's]] and those of publishing houses [[Chuckerverty, Chatterjee and Sons]] and [[Rupa and Co.]]. [[Putiram's Cabin]] is a much-loved snack and sweet shop on [[College Street]].
The '''[[Free School Street]]''' walk between [[Park Street (Kolkata)| Park Street]] and [[New Market (Kolkata) | New Market]] involves a walk past Kolkata's best budget hotels in the [[Free School Street]] - [[Sudder Street]] area. The used book and record shops sport an eclectic collection due to trade with generations of budget travellers the world over. The street also has the house [[William Makepeace Thackeray]] was born in, the [[Calcutta Fire Services]] headquarters, and one of the best places to buy cold cuts is at [[Kalman's]], a shop of [[Hungarian]] origin. [[Free School Street]] dining can be eclectic, with [[Shamiana]] - offering cheap Mughlai cuisine, [[Prince]] and [[Princess]] cheap Bengali cuisine, and [[Mocambo]] upscale continental dining, to name a few . [[Free School Street]] ( now called [[Mirza Ghalib Street]]) is Kolkata's answer to [[New York City]]'s [[Hell's Kitchen]], and is not particularly safe after dark.
The '''[[Southern Avenue (Kolkata) | Southern Avenue ]]''' takes one past Kolkata's artificial lake and urban park - the [[Rabindra Sarobar]], and numerous playgrounds. Early morning walks make for excellent people and dog watching as well as nature watching and cricket watching. At end of [[Southern Avenue]] lies [[Gol Park]] with some of the best sweet shops in Kolkata like [[Ganguram's]] and the used book store alley, and the shopping district of [[Gariahat]].
The '''[[Chowringhee Avenue]]''' walk between [[Elgin Road]] and [[B.B.D. Bagh]] takes one past the [[ St. Paul's Cathedral (Kolkata) | St. Paul's Cathedral]], [[Bishop House]], [[Birla Planetarium]], Kolkata's prominent eyesore oof a highrise [[Chatterjee International]], [[Tata Centre]], the [[Indian Museum]], [[Asiatic Society]], the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]], the [[Esplanade (Kolkata) | Esplanade]], [[Grand Hotel (Kolkata) | Grand Hotel]], and the historic [[Metro Theatre (Kolkata) | Metro theatre]], once the first point of release in the Eastern Hemisphere for [[Metro Goldwyn Mayer]] films. Fine dining at the [[Grand Hotel (Kolkata) | Grand Hotel]], the home of the essentially Kolkata snack - the "roll" - [[Nizam's]], the authentic sherbet shop [[Paragon]] and [[New Market (Kolkata) | New Market]] are all a stones throw away.
The '''[[Office Para]]''' (Office district) walk around features the British seat of administration in India - within a few blocks lie the [[Writers' Building]], [[Raj Bhavan (Kolkata) | Raj Bhavan]], [[Calcutta High Court]], the [[General Post Office (Kolkata) | General Post Office]] and [[B. B. D. Bagh]]. The express streetside lunch providers make for a delicious, cheap, unbelievably quick and dubiously hygienic meal which has to be eaten to be believed.
A ramble through the '''[[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]]''' takes one past clubs of every description from football clubs to the [[Press Club (Kolkata)]], stadiums of the big three football clubs and [[Eden Gardens]], the [[Victoria Memorial]], [[Chowringhee Avenue]], [[Fort William]], the [[Shaheed Minar]], the [[Royal Calcutta Turf Club]] and a whole host of statues. Cricket, soccer, horse races and even the occasional rugby game can be watched at leisure on the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]]. Horseback tours through the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]], and horse drawn tours around it, are quite popular.
The '''[[Strand Road (Kolkata) | Strand Road]]''' walk is the riverside walk past the "ghats" or piers, the palatial [[State Bank of India]] headquarters, the [[Kolkata Maritime Museum]] and the promenade in [[Millenium Park]]. The [[Hoogli]] makes for excellent riverboat and people watching, and the [[Haora]] skyline is ramshackle but interesting. A look up and down the river shows the famous [[Howrah Bridge]] and [[Vidyasagar Setu]]. Kolkata's best [[ice cream]] joints, not to mention the occasional "floatel" are on [[Strand Road (kolkata) | Strand Road]].
The '''[[Park Street (Kolkata) | Park Street]]''' walk goes down Kolkata's foremost dining district with noted restaurants and eateries like [[Shiraz (Kolkata) | Shiraz]], [[Flury's]], [[Trinca's]] and [[Hot Kati Roll]] joints. Kolkata's nightlife revolves around [[Park Street (Kolkata) | Park Street]]'s nightclubs, pubs and coffee houses. [[Park Street (Kolkata) | Park Street]] has famous buildings like the [[Asiatic Society]], [[St. Xavier's College, Calcutta]] and the [[Church of the Seventh Day Adventists]], and the [[South Park Street Cemetery]] has cenotaphs and tombs of the who's who of the [[British Raj]] and the Kolkata [[Armenians]]. One end of [[Park Street (Kolkata) | Park Street]] links up to [[Chowringhee Avenue]] and the [[Maidan (Kolkata) | Maidan]] while the other end goes to [[Park Circus]].
==Education==
:''See also [[Education in Kolkata]]''
Kolkata has many [[school]]s, [[college]]s and [[university|universities]], as well as technical institutes and national centres of excellence, used in [[education]]. Schools in Kolkata can be administered by the West Bengal state, the National government, or can be independent. The independent schools can be private or religious (usually Christian or Muslim).
Kolkata also has 9 universities (including those affiliated to the state of West Bengal), as well as numerous colleges affiliated to them. Various other polytechnics cater to vocational training. Finally there are many autonomous institutions and centres of excellence in Kolkata.
==Media==
Kolkata has a thriving and independent media culture with many eminent and respected newspapers and television production houses.This city can also claim a widespread argumentative culture that adds to its reputation as being one of the best centres for journalism in India. A few of the widely circulated newspapers are as follows:
*Anandabazar Patrika
*The Statesman
*The Telegraph
*Bartaman
*Aajkaal
*Sambad Pratidin
==Sports==
[[Football (soccer)|Football]] (soccer) is a passion for many Calcuttans with the national clubs, [[Mohun Bagan Athletic Club]] and [[East Bengal Club]] being the best known teams. The current, and most successful, [[cricket]] captain of India [[Sourav Ganguly]] is a Calcuttan.
[[Image:Ganguly.jpg |150px|left|Ganguly leading the Indian national cricket team]]
Kolkata has produced summer [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] medallists such as:
*[[Norman Pritchard]] ([[Athletics]] - 1900)
*[[Richard James Allen]]
*[[Leslie Claudius]] ([[Field Hockey]] - 1924, 1928, 1936)
*[[Gurbux Singh]]
*Dr. [[Vece Paes]] ([[Field Hockey]] - 1980)
*[[Leander Paes|Leander Adrian Paes]] (Olympic Bronze medallist at singles tennis in 1996 Olympics; also [[Wimbledon_championships|Wimbledon]] and [[French Open]] Men's Doubles champion, with [[Mahesh Bhupathi]]; and Mixed Doubles Champion 1999 and [[Wimbledon_championships|Wimbledon]] Mixed Doubles Champion 2003, with ace [[Martina Navratilova]])[[Image:Paes Navratilova 39249230 paesdoublesafp.jpg |200px|right|Leander Paes with Martina Navratilova]]
Other sportspersons who have won laurels for Kolkata include:
*Gobor Goho (World Amateur Wrestling Championship USA 1900-2)
*Manotosh Roy (former Mr Universe - 1950s)
*Manohar Aich (former Mr. World - 1950s)
*[[Mihir Sen]] ([[Guinness Book of World Records|Guinness Record]] holder of being the first person to swim across the [[English Channel]] in [[1948]] and the seven straits across all major continents)
*[[Jyotirmoyee Sikdar]] (1998 Asian Games Gold medallist in four events in racing)
*Arjun Atwal (PGA Golf champion 2003)
*Dibyendu Barua and Surya Sekhar Ganguly (current [[FIDE]] [[Chess]] [[Grandmaster]]s)
*trans-continental wizards Mohammed Salahuddin Choudhury and his wife Neena, have the acknowledgment of the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] for the first and fastest circum-navigation of the world by car – under the rules applicable in 1989 (in a 'Contessa Classic' 1989 car) and 1991 (in a Nissan jeep), and thereby embracing more than an equator's length of driving (40,750 km or 24,901 road miles) in 69 days, 19 hours and 5 minutes in 1989 and in 39 days and 20 hours in 1991 respectively.
==Transport==
[[Image:trams.jpg|frame|right|A Kolkatan tram]]
[[Image:Calcutta-tollygunge1.jpg |thumb|Tollygunje Metro Railway Station, Calcutta]]
[[Image:Calcutta_rickshaw.jpg|thumb|A Kolkata rickshaw : the enduring image of the city of joy]]
The two major [[railway station]]s of the city are at [[Howrah]] and Sealdah. The Eastern and South Eastern Railways are headquartered in the city. The electrified suburban rail network of the SER and the ER is extensive and includes the '''Circular Rail'''. The city also has South Asia's oldest '''underground metro railway'''. Till mid 2005 it was the only '''underground''' metro railway in the [[Indian subcontinent]].
Kolkata is the only city in India to have a [[tram]] network (see ''[[Tramways in Calcutta]]'')
The city has an extensive bus network and taxis, autorickshaws and rickshaws are plenty in number.
The [[Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport]] is at [[Dum Dum]].
Kolkata is also a major port and together with the Haldia dock systems, the Kolkata Port Trust has been amongst top performers in the country.
==Trivia==
* India has 5 [[Nobel Prize]] winners to date and all of them are connected to Kolkata
* Kolkata has an eminent place in the history of [[United States of America | American]] diplomacy as one of the oldest American Consulates anywhere in the world, and the oldest in India [http://calcutta.usconsulate.gov/wwwhmhis.html Link].
* Kolkata and [[Mumbai]] are the only two cities in India where the honorary designation of the [[Sheriff]] still exists.
* Kolkata and [[Mumbai]] were two of the main export/import destinations for British beer, which would go stale and sour during the sea voyage. So the IPA (India Pale Ale) style of beer was created specifically to withstand the rigours of the sea between London and these Indian ports. [http://www.brewingtechniques.com/library/styles/2_2style.html Link]
* [[South Point High School, Kolkata]] entered the [[Guinness Book of Records]] (from [[1984]] to [[1992]]) as the school with maximum student enrollment.
* The Indian Botanical Gardens at Shibpur, near the [[Bengal Engineering College]], is home of the largest banyan tree in the world (the banyan tree with the biggest girth), according to the [[Guinness Book of Records]].
* Kolkata is [[sister city]] to [[Long Beach]], [[California]].
* Kolkata is home to the oldest golf course outside the English Isles at [[The Royal Calcutta Golf Club]].
* Kolkata was the orignal headquarters of IBM Corporation in India before shifting to Bangalore on its return to operations in the country.
==See also==
* [[Salt Lake City (Bidhan Nagar), Kolkata]]
* [[List of notable Calcuttans]]
== External links ==
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/881148.stm Calcutta's revival]
* [http://www.ess.co.at/GAIA/CASES/IND/CAL/CALmain.html Not the City of Joy]
* [http://www.calcuttaweb.com Calcuttaweb.com] - Lots of information about Calcutta
* [http://www.calcuttaweb.com/history.shtml History of Calcutta on calcuttaweb.com]
* [http://www.bengalweb.com/hist/histframe.html History of West Bengal and Calcutta] - Bengalweb.com's effort to compile historical information with photographs
* [http://www.bengalonthenet.com Bengalonthenet.com]
* [http://www.bengalweb.com Bengalweb.com]
* [http://www.westbengal.com/calcutta Westbengal.com]
* [http://www.thestatesman.net The Statesman]
* [http://www.telegraphindia.com The Telegraph]
* [http://www.kolkatabeckons.com Kolkata Beckons]
* [http://cityofpalaces.tripod.com Calcutta: City of Palaces]
* [http://www.banglalive.com Banglalive.com]
* [http://calcutta.usconsulate.gov/wwwhmhis.html Consulate of the United States of America]
* [http://www.cafekolkata.com Calcutta] - Calcutta Global Forum
* [http://www.bixee.com/index.php?l=kolkata&st=1 Jobs in Kolkata]
* [http://www.mohunbaganclub.com National Club of India, Situated at Kolkata]
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[[Category:Kolkata|*]]
[[Category:Cities and towns of West Bengal]]
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