In Pictures – 15 More Must See Places in Kolkata India

Kolkata, the one time intellectual capital of India and a competitive arts & cultural venue of India, has some very interesting places of interest, that includes some very unique heritage collections & museums on one hand, while boasting of reminiscent heritage of Bengal‘s rise & contributions to India’s growth & struggle for independence during the British rule.

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1. 25 Must See Places in Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2. Video of 25 Must See Places in Kolkata

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15 More Must See Places in Kolkata, India

1) Kolkata Shahid Minar – also known as the Tower of Martyrs, this 157 feet tall monument, built in 1828, was dedicated to the fallen soldiers fighting for India’s independence from the British rule.

Historically though, the Shahid Minar of Kolkata was originally known as Ochterlony Monument built in memory of Major-general Sir David Ochterlony, commander of the British East India. Today this monument stands at one end of the Kolkata Maidan and the venue for a lot of political gatherings & rallies. 

Address: Dharamtalla, Dufferin Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal 700069, India

2) Kolkata General Post Office Headquarters – this is one of the 5 general post offices in India, that are authorized to sell UN stamps. The building was architected by Walter B. Grenville & opened for business in 1868. The Kolkata GPO houses a postal museum & the Philatelic Bureau.

Address: Netaji Subhas Rd, Fairley Place, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India

3) All India Radio – the history of broadcasting in India started with the radio centers in Kolkata & Bombay. Once operating as an independent broadcasting company, today All India Radio is a broadcasting arm of Prasar Bharati of the Government of India.

The signature tune of All India Radio was composed by Walter Kaufmann, then director of music at AIR. Kauffman was forced to leave Prague because of Hitler’s fascist rule. He came to India in 1934. He lived in Bombay for twelve years and worked in the music department of All India Radio. Later, this was replaced by the nostalgic violin melody played by V Balsara.

Over the years, AIR has contributed in several national & international events, including playing a major role in communications during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1970s. In 2012, Bangladesh recognized Akashvani for its contribution in Bangladesh Liberation War.

Address: Akashvani Bhavan, Eden Gardens, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India

4) Eden Garden Cricket Stadium & Park – this is the oldest cricket stadium in India & the third largest in size with a capacity of about 80,000 seats in the world (the largest as of 2021 is the Melbourne Cricket Ground in terms of capacity). The Eden Garden Cricket Stadium built in 1864 is next to the Eden Garden Park, named originally as the Auckland Circus Gardens after the then British Governor General Lord Auckland, later renamed after his sisters Emily and Fanny Eden.

Eden Gardens Park stretches over 50 acres, with pathways shaded by mahogany, mango and banyan trees. They were laid by Governor- General Auckland in 1841. A three-storied Burmese pagoda in red and golden yellow, was brought later by Lord Dalhousie.

Address: Gostho Paul Sarani, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700021, India

5) Yuva Bharati Soccer Stadium – also called the Salt Lake Stadium or officially the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, this is one of the largest soccer & field & athletics stadium with a current capacity of 85,000 seats. 

Address: JB Block, Sector III, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700098, India

6) Maidan – the Central Park of Kolkata is the largest, almost 1000 acres in area, green lush open urban park in the city. This is also known as the Brigade Parade Ground. Other heritage sites of Kolkata like the Eden Gardens, Victoria Memorial & the Shahid Minar surround the Kolkata maidan.

Address: Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

7) Old Silver Mint – This is one of the many heritage sites in Kolkata & being renovated into a museum. Now it is occupied by the CRPF. This is the third mint in Kolkata, known today as the Old Silver Mint, was constructed in the styles of the Greek Parthenon on Strand Road in March 1824 & was opened for production from 1st August 1829. Another mint was constructed as an annex to produce copper coins.

At the peak of its days, the Old Silver Mint produced approximately  300,000 to 600,000 silver coins were manufactured here daily. This mint was the first in Asia to successfully process pure nickel for coinage purposes. Silver coins were minted here till 1952 and, thereafter, it functioned  as a silver refinery. But that too came to an end in 1972, and the silver reserves were transferred from here to a new facility at Taratola in 1985.

Since production was moved to the new Government of India Mint at Alipore on 19 March 1952, the Old Silver Mint has been in disrepair until it was declared a heritage site.

Address: 60 Strand road, Kolkata.

8) Vadya Vithika Musical Instruments Museum – this is one of a kind Indian arts & cultural heritage museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of tribal & historical cultures of Eastern India & showcasing over 450 varieties of Indian percussion, string, wind & solid musical instruments.

Address: Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, IB 201, Sector III, IA Block, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 700106. This heritage museum is open Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM & remain closed on national holidays. There is no entry fee. PS: Photography is not allowed inside the museum.