Kolkata - The City Of Joy

Kolkata - The City Of Joy

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Calcutta, the city of joy, is truly a city of the past and present. The city was the capital of India under the British Raj and thus boasts of a unique culture and heritage. The city is one of contrasts, a strange combination of ancient and modern, skyscrapers and Victorian edifices, haven of the rich and the poor. Today, it is considered as the intellectual and cultural capital of India and is home to four Nobel laureates Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen. Kolkata is the nerve centre of intellect and human values, where many modern movements began in art, cinema and theatre, science and industry.
Calcutta, the city of joy was established in the year 1686, as a result of the expansion plans of the British Raj. It was during those times that European powers were heading their way towards capturing the small villages of Sutanati, Govindpur, and Kalikata. Calcutta derived its name from the last of the village settlements of kalikata. The city kept progressing until 1756, when Siraj-Ud-Daula (Nawab of Bengal) attacked and succeeded in driving the British away from the town. It was during that time that most of the British civilians had escaped, but a few of them were captured and imprisoned in a suffocating room. This incident has become a history in itself and was given the name 'Black hole tragedy'. In 1757, the following year, Battle of Plassey took place, in which Robert Clive took over the city by defeating the Nawab. The end of battle witnessed the establishment of Supreme Court in 1774, making Calcutta as the base of justice. Battle of Plassey saw the drain of wealth, which strained the Bengal's economy.
Calcutta has plenty of tourist spots, but the one place which cannot be missed is the Fort William. Located on the banks of the Hooghly River, the fort was built during the term of British Raj in 1696. It was the guardroom of this two-storied building, where the black hole tragedy took place. The new fort was initiated by Robert Clive, which got completed by 1780. The reason for setting up Calcutta Fort William was to prevent attacks from Muslim invaders. Today, it is a military area and the Arsenal inside it is worth watching, but for that prior permission of the commanding officer is required.
Another place to visit is the Victoria Memorial of Kolkata, which is a fantastic place that will take you into the world of past history. One can check out the photos of prominent personalities, who made an incredible contribution in the glory of India and the place is considered one of the finest art museums in Kolkata.
Kolkata preserves her history in many museums. Apart from Victoria Memorial, the Indian Museum and the Marble Palace, the prominent ones to visit are the Asutosh Museum at Kolkata University, which has a collection of art objects with emphasis on Bengali folk art, the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, with a good collection of sculptures and modern art.

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