Introduction to Kolkata
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is a city that means many things to many people. For some, it is the city of joy, while for others it is dirty, crowded, and noisy. Once the greatest colonial city in the Orient, Kolkata was later reviled as a cauldron of poverty, dirt, and disease. Today, it ranks among the four major metropolis of India along with Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. A mere village in the 17th century, Kolkata is not an ancient city like Delhi. Like Mumbai and Chennai, it originated largely due to the expansionist ambitions of the European powers, especially the British Raj. Little wonder, Kolkata has some of the finest Raj edifices built in a variety of styles. it was the first capital of the British in India. The city was established in 1686 when the British moved to the small villages of Sutanati, Govindpur, and Kalikata from their trading port of Hooghly. It progressed well until 1756 when Siraj-Ud-Daula (Nawab of Bengal) attacked the town and drove away the British. Lord Clive retook Kolkata and until 1911, it remained the capital of the British government in India. Being the center of power for so long created a unique culture and heritage, totally unlike any other city in India. The city symbolizes creativity and vibrance with all the modern amenities available. Kolkata has adapted to the modern trends and techniques of the world but has not shed the leisurely life style and the calm of its hey days. Kolkata has the country's first Metro railway and some of its buildings are more than a hundred years old. While it is a city of enduring charm, it is also a city that evokes extreme emotions. So be ready to give in to it or hate it completely.A city with strong cultural, literary and religious flavours, Kolkata acts as the gateway to the North-East.

Places of Interest
Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial is a huge white-marble structure and the most enduring of remains of the British Raj in India. Built by Lord Curzon in memory of the popular monarch, Queen Victoria, it is a wonderful example of the Western style of architecture. The structure, which is now floodlit in the night, gives a fascinating site. It has been now converted in a museum that houses the most impressive collection of memorabilia from the days of Raj. The manuscripts, paintings and sculptures here are outstanding

Indian Museum
Indian Museum, built in 1874, has a beautiful structure. The oldest museum in India, it houses a rare collection of artefacts. The entrance to the museum has an original Lion Capitol, the national symbol of India. The museum is open all days of the week except Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fort William
Fort William was constructed in 1781 after the unfortunate happenings of 1756 in which many British soldiers with their families were killed by Siraj-Ud-Daula. Large area around the village of Govindpur was cleared to construct this fort, which for some time also lent its name to the city. The fort is still in use and visitors are allowed inside only after getting special permits. The area around the fort is a very large patch of green known as the Maidan (ground). The Maidan is also known as the lung of Kolkata and stretches 1 km in width and 3 km in length.

Eden Gardens
Named after the sister of Alexander, the Eden Gardens used to be covered by verdant trees and gardens. A major part of the garden gave way to the construction of one of the largest and beautiful stadiums of India- the Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium. Eden Gardens has seen history made and unmade. For more than a hundred years, the magic of Eden Gardens has held its sway over cricket and cricket lovers in the country.

Birla Planetarium
Located at the top end of Chowringhee, it is the only planetarium in the country whose dome houses a collection of projectors and optical equipment imported from East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South-East Asia and the second largest planetarium in the world.

Zoological Garden
Laid in 1876, extending over an area of 16 hectares, the zoological garden has a considerably large collection of animals. White tigers, reptiles and the Royal Bengal tigers are the special exhibits. During winter, birds from all over the world migrate here and are a special attraction during this time.

Nehru Children's Museum.
It's a wonderfully entertaining place for children. Named after the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, it is located at Jawaharlal Nehru Road (formerly Chowringhee Road). The stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata have been depicted nicely with the help of animated dolls. Some science models are also on exhibition, a must see for the kids.

Nakhoda Mosque
The largest mosque, which can accommodate 10,000 worshippers at a time, this wonder is built in the Indo-Saracenic style.

St. Paul's Cathedral Church.
One of the most prominent churches in the city, it is located between Birla planetarium and Rabindra Sadan. Constructed by Bishop Willson in 1847, it is the first Episcopal Church of the East. The Indo-Gothic style of this church is really impressive.

Kali Mandir, Kalighat.
Kali temple of Kalighat continues to attract a large volume of pilgrims, local, regional as well as from all over India. A truly impressive sight, this temple is best visited during the spirited Kali puja festivities.

Marble Palace
Built by Rajendra Mallik, the Marble Palace displays the art forms of Italy, the Netherlands, England, and other European nations. The interior of the palace the floors, walls, and tabletops are all made of marble. Formerly known as the Palace of Arts, it was named the Marble Palace by Lord Minto.

Excursion: Places nearby
Diamond Harbour
51 kms from the city is the old port. From here Hooghly turns south to merge into the sea and from here, one can take launches to Sagar island for the famous Ganga Sagar Fair.

Haldia
new port is 96 kms south of the city. This place was developed as a port to avoid the silting problem in Diamond Harbour. Today the Haldia Refinery has added value to the place. There are regular bus services to both the ports.

Chandernagore
The French trading post was handed over to India along with Pondicherry in 1951. The French settled here in 1673 and made it their trade centre. But they lost this place to the British in a conflict. Today this place along the river Hooghly has some buildings of the French era and is now famous for the artisans who make clay figurines. Chandernagore is 39 kms.

Sunderban Wildlife Sanctuary
Towards the South, rivers Ganga and Hooghly divide themselves into many distributaries and they form the famous Gangetic deltas. They provide the ideal environment for the Sundari trees to grow. Spread over an area of almost 10,000 sq kms, now shared between Bangladesh and India, the Sunderbans are home to many exquisite animals and birds.

Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1786 beside the Hooghly in Shibpur, the Botanical Gardens is a major attraction in the vicinity. Covering an area of 110 hectares, it was intended to promote the study of Indian trees and herbs. The main attraction of the garden is a 250-year-old banyan tree (Ficus bengalhensis) which rises to a height of 98 feet and measures over 1,300 feet in circumference.