11 minute read
A Dive Into Kolkata's Heritage Architecture
| Victoria Memorial
The most acclaimed building in Kolkata. A marvel that effortlessly combines history and architectural splendour.
Drenched in the romance of an era gone by, the City of Joy stands today at the confluence of colonial grandeur and cosmopolitan sensibilities. Here’s a journey through its fascinating architectural legacy.
by Udayendu Dass
[ Sandeep Banarjee, Co-contributor ]
Few Indian cities have withstood the test of time as gracefully as Kolkata has. The city wears the past on its sleeves effortlessly and continues to honour its legacy as a home to artists, poets and political revolutionaries. In fact, the land that now makes up the city was once covered in marshes and swamps. It was refashioned by the colonial powers to stand as a grand European citadel, with its proximity to the sea allowing it to flourish as a trading centre. As the British became the political masters of the country, Calcutta, as it was known then—became their capital. By the turn of the nineteenth century, the city slowly started to acquire a modern persona. The mixing of Bengali aristocracy with the European elite brought with it, affluence of a wholly different kind.
Renamed Kolkata in the year 2001, this eastern capital stands today at the confluence of colonial grandeur and cosmopolitan sensibilities. Here’s a journey through its fascinating architectural legacy that has something to appeal to everyone.
The first name that strikes one’s mind when thinking of the historical legacy of the city is that of Rabindranath Tagore, one of India’s most prominent cultural stalwarts. His legacy is visible in Jorasanko Thakurbari, the ancestral residence of the Tagore family. Built by Dwarakanath Tagore, and the residence of Maharshi Deventranath Tagore and many other luminaries of the Tagore family, it is considered the site of the Bengal Renaissance and now stands as a heritage site. The hanging verandas, cathedral-style windows, expansive aisles, and the Indo-European style of its facade speak to the British architectural talent that designed it.
| Jorasanko Thakurbari
The ancestral residence of the Tagore family.
Built by Debendranath
Tagore, and the residence of Maharshi
Deventranath Tagore and many other luminaries of the
Tagore family.
| Writers' Building
The seat of the
Administration of Bengal for more than a hundred and fifty years, has been witness to Kolkata’s complex and churning politics.
| National Library
The structure of the library is more Roman in style and lends a simple but elegant and graceful aura to the area. The personal effects of Rabindranath Tagore are on display at the house, alongside a painting gallery and rooms whose walls are inscribed with the great poet’s writings.
Another shining example of neo-classical architecture in the city is the Marble Palace. Located at 46 Mukta Ram Babu Street in North Kolkata—the oldest area in the city it is one of the best preserved and most elegant houses of nineteenth-century Calcutta. Built in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullick, a renowned philanthropist of the time, this mansion is famous for its walls that were constructed using 125 different types of marble. The palace is unique because much like the city itself, it incorporates a variety of cultural imports with elegance and style. So, while the house may be built keeping neo-classical architectural conventions in mind, the open courtyards are traditionally Bengali, the verandas are elegantly ornamented, and sloping roofs are built in a fashion not unlike that of the Chinese pavilion. It also houses a Jaganath temple within its premises.
Closeby, on the banks of the Hooghly river, lies a mansion known for the haunted spectres it supposedly harbours. The Putul Bari, or the House of the Dolls, located in Shovabazaar, was used both as a warehouse and a mansion by its affluent owners, and now features magnificent human statues on the top of the building. Like many buildings in the city, Putul Bari carries the weight of history and, with it, an aura that has led many to believe it is haunted. Ghost stories aside, from an aesthetic point of view, one would find that
the Putul Bari is home to many architectural delights. Red and pink sandstone were used for constructing the monument, and its unique five-story exterior gives it the shape of a honeycomb, which signals the aristocratic ebullience of the time in which it was inhabited.
Another noted heritage building, the Ramdual Thakurbati, a 250-year-old building situated on Beadon Street, again recalls the neo-classical era with its engraved walls, a sprawling courtyard, and floors with a rare marble that appears to glow. This was the ancestral house of Ramdul De (Deb Sarkar), the pioneer of Indo-US trade and the first modern Bengali millionnaire.
As one moves southwards, crossing the Alipore Zoo, it is impossible to not catch sight of a huge mansion known as the National Library. This grand structure, formerly known as the Belvedere House, has housed British Governors and other notable officers in the past. The famous duel between Hastings the then Governor General of Bengal and First Member of the Council Francis Phillips, was fought in this very building. The structure of the library is more Roman in style, and lends a simple but elegant and graceful aura to the area, with its peripherally wooded spacious park and subtropical trees. Inside the house stand relics of an earlier time the elegant dining table used by the Viceroys bearing testimony to the pomp of the colonial era.
The next stop, the Writers’ Building, the seat of the Administration of Bengal for more than a hundred and fifty years, has been witness to Kolkata’s complex and churning politics. Designed by the British architect Thomas Lyon in 1777, the structure, which is 150 metres long, covers the entire northern fringe of the famous Lal Dighi pond. Often referred to as just "Writer's" in local parlance, it was Calcutta’s first three-story building and is known in particular for the assassination of a British officer by the revolutionaries Binoy, Badal, and Dinesh, who also lend their names to BBD Bagh, the central business district where the building is situated.
Any discussion of Kolkata is incomplete without mentioning the Victoria Memorial, undoubtedly the most acclaimed building in Kolkata. A marvel that effortlessly combines history and architectural splendour, it is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. Built between 1906 and 1921 by Lord Curzon, the building has 25 galleries showcasing exhibits of paintings, memorabilia, and manuscripts of the Raj. Constructed from white Makrana marble that was sourced from Rajasthan, the building combines elements from Egyptian, Venetian, Mughal, and other Islamic architectural styles. Surrounded by palatial, beautifully manicured lawns, the Victoria Memorial is a visual treat, and a trip to Kolkata would be incomplete without a visit to the Memorial.
Kolkata’s edifices continue to thrall citizens and visitors alike, and to catch a glimpse of any of them is to allow oneself to be suspended, if only momentarily, in time.
| Marble Palace
Shining example of neoclassical architecture in the city, it is one of the best-preserved and most elegant houses of nineteenth-century
Calcutta.
| Porsche Taycan
Electrifying Luxury:
The Responsible Way
Electric cars are the new sensation for all the right reasons. Here too, top end luxury cars are showing the way. A sneak peek at the range available in India.
by Ranojoy Mukerji
[ Automotive & Lifestyle Writer ]
All of us know the dangers to our planet. Carbon emissions and rising greenhouse gases mean that our future generations are threatened, but in our own way we can make a difference. The best way to start out is by changing your choice of wheels to an electric vehicle (EV) and fortunately, in India, there are vast choices available in the luxury segment – so come, give your ride a green style drive.
Porsche Taycan
Porsche has launched its Taycan electric sports saloon in India. With the Performance Battery Plus, the Taycan is the first series production car with a system voltage of 800 volts (voltage range 610 to 835 volts) instead of the usual 400 volts seen in electric cars. Inside, classic design features have been reinterpreted and brought into the digital age. The wing-shaped upper and lower sections of the dashboard stretch across the entire width of the car. The free-standing, curved instrument cluster forms the highest point on the dashboard. A central 10.9-inch infotainment display and an optional passenger display are combined to form an integrated glass band in a black-panel look. There is also the option of classic leather for the seats as well as the sustainably tanned Club Leather OLEA, which uses olive leaves in the tanning process. A fully leather-free interior is now also available for the first time. The floor covering uses the recycled fibre Econyl®, which is made from, among other things, recycled fishing nets.
Range: 431 kilometres Price: Rs. 1.5-2.3 crores
BMW
BMW has taken up electrification seriously and is currently offering two vehicles in India: the iX SUV and the i4 sedan. The BMW iX is comparable with the BMW X5 in length and width and is almost the same height as the BMW X6 on account of its flowing roofline. The i4 meanwhile, is the most aerodynamic electric vehicle in its class. With a battery capacity of 80.7 kWh providing a range of up to 590 kilometres, the i4 has the longest range of any electric vehicle in India.
Range: ix: 480 kilometres | i4: 590 kilometres Price: ix: Rs. 1.16 crores | Rs. i4: 69.9 lacs
| BMW iX
| Jaguar I-PACE
Jaguar
With a state-of-the-art 90kWh Lithium-ion battery using 432 pouch cells, the I-PACE delivers a range of 470 kilometres (WLTP cycle). Two Jaguar-designed electric motors – which feature driveshafts passing through the motors themselves for compactness – are placed at each axle, producing exceptional combined performance of 395bhp and 696Nm, and all-wheel-drive, all-surface traction. The instantaneous performance is matched with exceptional ride comfort and engaging driving dynamics.
Audi e-tron
The Audi e-tron is not just an SUV but is the umbrella brand for all Audi electric vehicles sold. The Audi e-tron 55 and the Audi e-tron Sportback 55 draw power from a 95kW battery and have a range of 359-484 kilometres (WLTP combined). Both these cars boast of 400bhp of power and 664 Nm of torque. The Audi e-tron 50 boasts of 310bhp of power and 540 Nm of torque. From the platinum grey single-frame grille to its modern taillights, it creates an era-defining design aesthetic.
| Audi e-Tron
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes kicked off the premium luxury electric revolution in India, with the EQC. By virtue of its muscular proportions, the EQC is classed as a crossover SUV. The extended roofline and window layout with a low waistline and the coupé-like roof recess at the rear visually position it between an SUV and an SUV coupé. To reduce power consumption and increase dynamism, the electric drivetrains are configured differently: the front electric motor is optimised for best possible efficiency in the low to medium load range, while the rear one determines dynamism. Together, they generate an output of 400bhp and a maximum torque of 760 Nm. Of course, you get the full luxury of Mercedes-Benzes’ interior. Incidentally, the new EQS (S-class version) is also on its way to India.
Range: 455 kilometres Price: Rs. 99.5 lacs
| Kia EV6
KIA
Kia India’s electric offering, the EV6, is being offered in India in two variants – GT-Line and GT-Line AWD, available in limited quantities only. The EV6 will be introduced in India with a long-range (77.4 kWh) battery pack and provides up to 528 kilometres of range on a single charge (RWD 77.4 kWh model on WLTP cycle), assisting in addressing range anxiety among owners. The EV6 will come with a smart charger capable of giving a peak power output of 22Kw, as standard for all owners.
Range: 528 kilometres Price: Rs. 60-65 lacs
MINI
Probably the cheapest electric premium car you can buy, MINI will globally be a fully electric brand after 2030. The MINI Electric drive takes the legendary go-kart feeling to an entirely new and fascinating dimension with zero emissions and instant torque. With 184 bhp and a maximum torque of 270 Nm, the electric MINI sprints from 0-100 kmph in 7.3 seconds. Dynamic yet silent, the all-electric MINI offers an entirely new driving experience. It is powered with a battery capacity of 32.6 kWh and a driving range of up to 270 kilometres.
Range: 270 kilometres Price: Rs. 50.9 lacs
