Book on Architecture of West Bengal

Contents Cooch Behar Palace

1

Radhabinode

18

St. Andrew’s Church

3

Rasmancha

19

Bishop’s House

4

Rupesvara

21

Hazarduari Palace

5

Siva Temple

22

Adina Masjid

7

Chandannagar Museum

23

Katra Masjid

9

Patal Bari

25

Chandranath Temple

11

Sacred Heart Church

27

Gokulchand

12

Writers’ Building

29

108 Siva Temples

13

Esplanade Mansion

31

Keshta Raya

15

Thakur Bari

33

Jatar Deul

16

Victoria Memorial

35

17

Marble Palace

37

Madan Mohan Temple

WestBengal

Cooch Behar Palace

01

Cooch Behar Palace, also called the Victor Jubilee Palace, is a landmark in Cooch Behar city, West Bengal. It was designed on the model of Buckingham Palace in London in 1887, during the reign of Mahara ja Nripendra Narayan.

The Cooch Behar Palace, noted for its elegance and grandeur, is a property of The Mantri’s. It is a brick-built double-storey structure in the classical Western style.

The intros of the dome is carved in stepped patterns and Corinthian columns.

The Hall of the palace has an elegantly shaped metal dome which is topped by a cylindrical louvre type ventilator and is in the style of the Renaissance architecture. This adds variegated colours and designs to the entire surface.

“The Palace is fronted on the ground and first floors by a series of arcaded verandahs”

HOW TO REACH THERE Nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport. Then take a taxi to Cooch behar.

703 km from of Kolkata. You can take State transport bus from Kolkata to Malda then take Guwahati Express.

Railway Station(s): New Cooch Behar is the nearest

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St. Andrew’s Church

03

The St. Andrew’s Church holds great significance for the history of Darjeeling. It is built in the Gothic style architeture which is one of the significance of British architecture and believed to have evolved from Romanesque architecture. Some of its characeristics include the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying butress. the church has a spiritual ethereal and quiet ambience and gives a taste of the bygone era.

Bishop’s House

In 1891, Dr. Carew, the Archbishop Goethals built a presbytery and it’s became the residence for the priests who looked after the faithful of Darjeeling and a Health Centre for the sick priests. Later this house was named Archbishop’s house in order to distinguish it from other protestant denominations. This was also known as the summer resident of Archbishop of Calcutta.

04

Hazarduari Palace

05

The Hazarduari Palace, or the palace with a thousand doors is the chief tourist attraction of Murshidabad. This three-storey palace was built in 1837 by Duncan McLeod for the Nawab Na jim Humaun Jah, descendent of Mir Zafar. It has thousand doors (among which only 900 are real) and 114 rooms and 8 galleries, built in European architectural style. The total area of Hazarduari Palace is 41 acres.

Around the palace are other attractions like the Wasef Manzil by the bank of the Ganga.

It is now a museum and has an exquisite collection of armoury, splendid paintings, exhaustive portraits of the Nawabs, various works of art including beautiful works of ivory (Murshidabad school) of China (European) and many other valuables.

“The Palace was used for holding the “Durbar” or meetings and other official work of the Nawabs and also as the residence of the high ranking British Officials.”

HOW TO REACH THERE Murshidabad is well connected with Kolkata ( N. S. C. Bose International Airport at Dumdum) 197 km north of Kolkata Railway Station(s): Berhampr Railway is the nearest

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Adina masjid

07

Adina Mosque consists of bricks designed with stones. The other parts are however, designed with open bricks. The mosque is rectangular in shape and has an open central courtyard. Due to the damages caused by the earthquakes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the mosque is mostly in ruins today. The domes were of inverted tumbler shape with an elliptical curve.

“Adina Mosque is one of the famous mosques located in Malda district of West Bengal.

Built by Sultan Sikandar Shah in 1375, the mosques stands as the largest not only in Bengal but also in the whole Indian subcontinent�

The nave enveloped by a barrel vault was so high that it was visible even from a long distance. It is estimated that the vault must have had an iwan-portal as well as an arch at the top to that complement the design of the facade.

HOW TO REACH THERE Nearest airport to Malda is Bagdogra Airport.

271 km north of Kolkata Railway Station(s): Malda Town (MLDT) station is the nearest

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Katra masjid

09

Katra Mosque, which lies in the north-eastern part of Murshidabad, West Bengal comprises double-storied domed cells, built with an aim to accommodate readers of the Holy Quran in that point of time.

About 700 Quran readers can seek refuge in its rooms, which also makes it a kind of ‘Madrasa’

The four corners are decorated with four large minars which are octagonal and slightly narrow towards the upper end. Constructed between 1723 and 1724, the mosque contains the mortal remains of the Nawab Murshid Quli Khan. The roof in front of Katra Mosque has a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the premises of the mosque.

“Every minar of the mosque is connected to a spiral staircase of which visitors can reach the terrace, from where they can enjoy spectacular view of Murshidabad.”

HOW TO REACH THERE Murshidabad is well connected with Kolkata ( N. S. C. Bose International Airport at Dumdum) 197 km north of Kolkata Railway Station(s): Berhampr Railway is the nearest

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Chandranath Temple HOW TO REACH THERE Nearest airport in Kolkata, connected to all the cities From kolkata 209 km away 11 OCTAGONAL TEMPLE Chandranath Shiva Temple is also one of the smallest yet magnificant standalone temples. The temple’s architecture is also influenced by English traditions & art apart from the Bengali architectural style.

Railway Station(s): Dubra jpur Railway Station

“The pinnacles of the temple have been designed in the Bengali Navaratna (“Nine jewel”) style. Each of the pinnacle is crowned by a human figurine.”

Gokulchand

PANCH RATNA TEMPLE Gokulchand temple is an example of Panch ratna temples. In the five-towered (pancha-ratna) style the superstructure consists of a large central tower and four smaller towers at the corners. This layout (particularly the construction of the turrets as small temples) almost certainly references the auspicious panchayatana temple style.

12

108 Siva Temples

13

GROUPED TEMPLES The panchayatana arrangement of a large temple with four smaller temples at the corners of the plinth or courtyard, common in northern India (e.g. at Kha juraho) is rare in Bengal. And the most elaborate grouping that exists is of a hundred-and-eight Siva temples arranged geometrically.

The widow of Mahara j Tilakchand, Bishnu Kumari, ordered the building of the 108 Shiva temples after receiving heavenly instructions in her dream in 1789. The temples are located in Nawabhat which was once famous for the battles of the Pathans and Mughals. A week long celebration takes place in the temple premises during the occasion of Shivaratri.

“Temples of identical style and size are often grouped together, arranged in a recognized geometrical pattern.�

HOW TO REACH THERE Nearest airport in Kolkata, connected to all the cities From kolkata 74 km away Railway Station(s): Simlagarh Railway is the nearest

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Keshta Raya

15 EK-BANGLA The ek-bangla (or do-chala) structure consists of two sloping roofs with curved edges or cornices meeting at a curved ridge. Internally, there is a single rectangular chamber covered by a vaulted roof.

This style imitates single-celled domestic huts in Bengal and was first adopted in Islamic architecture

Jatar deul HOW TO REACH THERE Nearest airport in Kolkata, connected to all the cities 2hrs 10mins away from mathurapur DEULS The particular type of deul that is common in Bengal is called rekha deul and is characterised by a square sanctum, vertical projections (rekha) on the walls, a curvilinear tower (sikhara), chaitya (mesh) decoration on the facade (on both walls and tower)

16 Railway Station(s): Namkhana local station

“The earliest temples in Bengal are deuls, a name given to a Hindu temple style�

Madan Mohan Temple

17 EK-RATNA The pinnacled or ratna design is significantly different from the chala or sloping roofed styles.

Although the base structure is the same (rectangular box with curved cornice) the roof is completely transformed, becoming flattened and surmounted by one or more pinnacles called churas or ratnas.

Radhabinode

NAVA-RATNA TEMPLE The next level of elaboration after the pancharatna is the nine-towered (navaratna) temple which is essentially a pancharatna with an extra storey. The large number of pinnacles give smaller temples in this style an exaggerated grandeur that was clearly a source of prestige to patrons.

18

Rasmancha

19

MANCHA The term mancha is used to denote subsidiary structures located outside the main temple, and built (mostly in the 18th-19th centuries) specficially for use in certain Krishna festivals when idols were (are) ceremonially moved from the main temple to the mancha so that the gathered devotees can see them.

The rasmancha is usually octagonal with arched openings and large terracotta figures flanking each entrance. Dolmanchas are usually char-chala or pancharatna, while rasmanchas are usually straight-edged and pinnacled, eight turrets surrounding a large central turret being the most common style. While manchas are usually smaller than the main temple, large pyramidal architectural style was used.

“The two most common types of manchas are rasmanchas and dolmanchas, used respectively in the ras and doljatra festivals�

HOW TO REACH THERE Nearest airport in Kolkata, connected to all the cities The fastest way to reach Bishnupurfrom Kolkata is by road which is 139 km.

Railway Station(s): Bishnupur (VSU) is the nearest

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Rupesvara

21 FLAT ROOFED The flat-roofed temple style (probably inspired by Islamic palace architecture) lack a superstructure, but adopt the standard such as cusped triple-arched entrances, octagonal or clustered-pilastered pillars, terracotta decorated facades, and often, internal domes or vaults.

Siva Temple

AT-CHALA TEMPLE If the roof of a char-chala temple is truncated and a miniature duplicate char-chala temple is added on it, then it becomes an at-chala temple.

Though the char-chala style is rare, the at-chala style is very common.

The decorative arrangements of terracotta panels on the facade also became standardized.

22

Chandannagar Museum

23

MANCHA Owing to its French influences during the many years of French rule, this beautiful museum houses numerous French and British artifacts from the colonial rule.

It also has a small but formidable collection of antiquities from the Nawab rule. The museum and institute also offers French classes on a regular basis.

One of the oldest museums of the region. It boasts a collection of French antiques (such as cannons used in Anglo-French war, wooden furniture of 18th century, etc.) which are difficult to find anywhere else in the world. The institute still teaches French through regular classes. Jogendra Nath Sen, resident of Chandannagar who died in France fighting in the World War I. His personal items were sent to his brother in India who later donated them to the Intitut de Chandernagore in Chandannagar

“The largest concentration of colonial building is along the Hooghly and is known as The Strand, and is still considered as the most beautiful stretch along the entire Hooghly.�

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Patal Bari

25

The Underground House The building is another beautiful example of the advancement in the knowledge of architecture and the aesthetic sense of the people of those earlier days. Its lowest floor is submerged in the River Ganges. The Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore frequently visited the place and appreciated a lot about the building. He felt

that the place influenced him to a large extent and broadened his intellectual capabilities. He mentioned Patal-bari in many of his famous novels. The famous social reformer Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar also stayed in the building. The house was owned by the zemindars of nearby Bansberia.

“Patal in English means below the earth. This one whole leve below the gound level was actually a hideout for the Indian freedom fighters, the place is 150 years old �

HOW TO REACH THERE Nearest airport in Kolkata, connected to all the cities Distance between Kolkata to Chandannagar is 41 km by Road Railway Station(s): Chandan Nagar (CGR)

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Sacred Heart Church

27 Chandannagor was the French colony. Unlike the other European colonies of Bengal the French control of Chandannagar continued even after independence and it was only in 1950 Chandannagar became a part of India.

Once a beautiful town with French masons and boulevards, Chandannagar has lost most of its past glory

The Strand is the Sacred Heart Church, on of the prime attraction of Chandannagar. A statue of Jesus greats the visitors to the two storied church complete with twin towers. A marble plaque says that the church was inaugurated by Father Goethals on 27 January 1884.

Interior has beautiful stained glasses and walls contain coloured reliefs of Jesus carrying the cross. Long corridors and confession boxes add a dignity to the church interior. Sadly the church is not well maintained with plasters peeling off at several places.

“Again made in French styles, the over 200 years old church is not just a stunning sight from outside, but is equally breath taking in the future. The white stone church looks even more stunning at sunset.�

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Writers’ Building

29 The northern part of BBD Bagh is taken over by Writer’s Building, Kolkata’s first three storied building. The process of construction of Writers building was initiated as early as in 1690. The name of the building was adopted from the fact that it was the residence of the junior writers of the East India Company.

Originally, the Writers’ Building was built to serve as the office of the writers of the British East India Company. However, now it serves as the Secretariat Building of the State Government of West Bengal in India. Presently, it is also has the office of the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

The building was designed by Thomas Lyon in 1777.

“The Greco-Roman look of the building featuring red surface of exposed bricks makes it appear interesting.”

Writers’ Building is considered the first three-storied building in kolkata.

The giant pediment built at the heart of the building houses the statue of Minerva. The terrace also houses a number of other statues, the most notable being four clusters of statues, ‘Commerce’, ‘Justice’, ‘Agriculture’ and ‘Science’ with the Greek Gods and Goddesses. A more recent sculpture of the revolutionaries Benoy, Badal and Dinesh stands carved in black near its entrance.

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Esplanade Mansion

31

It was in 1910, the gorgeous structure was built at the crossing of Esplanade Row (East) and Old Court House Street. Elias David Joseph Ezra, the well known Jewish businessman was the builder.

Elias David Ezra also built Magen David Synagogue at Barabazar and Chowringhee Mansion which is adjacent to the Asiatic Society building at Park Street.

It attracts tourists and enthusiasts. Originally built for residential purpose, the magnificient structure was used by the Americans later on. It was leased out to the American Government during the WW2. The American Library in Calcutta was in this building.

“The mansions contain 24 flats, and thankfully the original design has not been altered in any way unlike in the case of several other heritage buildings.�

The Jewish connection & the elegant mansion undoubtedly one of the ma jestic and beautiful structures of Kolkata.

The Esplanade Mansion is most probably the only Art Nouveau building in the whole of India.

Built in 1910 during the hey-day of the Art Nouveau architectural style by the contractors Martin & Co, it is a monumental edifice right next to the Ra j Bhavan.

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Thakur Bari

33 Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Kolkata is located in Jorasanko, is the ancestral home of the Tagore family.

Today, its located in on Rabindra Bharati University Campus. It is the house in which Rabindranath Tagore was born and spent most of his childhood.

It was built by Rabindranath Tagore’s grandfather, Prince Dwarkanath Tagore in 18th century. Jorasanko Thakur Bari has been restored into a Museum which reflects the way the household looked when the Tagore family lived in it and offers details about the history of Tagore family.

Rabindranath Tagore was born in Jorasanko Thakurbari on 7 May 1861 and he left for heavenly abode on 7 Aug 1941 from here only.

“The Rabindra Bharati Museum has a total collection of 2071 books, 770 journals, 16 paintings, 27 crafts and sculptures, 208 personalia and 3297 photographs.”

The museum offers a delightful and epic light and sound show.

In the introductory half it depicts the story of the advent of Tagore’s family to Jorasanko Thakur Bari. Following which their glorious role in the Bengal renaissance is depicted. The last part concludes with the enthralling life of the Great Bard.

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Victoria Memorial

35

Victoria memorial dedicated to Queen Victoria, offers a deep insight into the history of India, starting from the rise of the British Empire up to the Independence era. When Queen Victoria died in 1901, Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India, proposed a grand monument for her.

This impressive monument stands in 64 acres of lawns and gardens, was opened to the public in December 1921. The memorial houses a well-maintained museum, which displays an impressive collection of memorabilia and paintings related to Queen Victoria, Indian Freedom Fighters and other aspects of Indian and British history.

It treasures a wide collection of sculptures, paintings lithographs and Mughal miniatures, weaponry and other historical treasures.

“Emerson designed the monument in the Italian Renaissance style, it is difficult to miss its resemblance to the Ta j Mahal�

Victoria Memorial houses a nice museum, which showcases a striking collection of memorabilia, related to Queen Victoria and the rule of British in India.

After India became independent in 1947, few additions were made to the Victoria Memorial.

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Marble Palace

37 Marble Palace is a palatial mansion, built in 1835 by a French architect for Ra ja Ra jendra Mullick, an affluent Bengali merchant and art connoisseur. He built this grand palace with a passion of preserving the exquisite works of art. There is a private zoo, which was the first zoo in India.

The mansion is a masterpiece, with 90 varieties of patterned marble on the floors of the mansion. The structure of the mansion is originally Neoclasical in style and it merges with traditional Bengali style of architecture with open courtyards. Close by the courtyard, there is the place of worship for the family members, which is also called Thakur-Dalan.

The mansion is famous for its sparkling white marble walls and floors, from which it has derived its present name.

“The palace also has an exquisite collection of Western sculpture and Victorian furniture.�

The Marble Palace is three-storied and features tall fluted Corinthian Pillars. The mansion is admired with ornamented balconies, featuring sloping roofs and fretwork, which drew influence from the style of Chinese pavilion. The sprawling lawn around the palace has a number of statues of Hindu Gods, Jesus Christ, The Virgin Mary, Lord Buddha, the great explorer Christopher Columbus and some lions.

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