City of Joy'
Labeled as the 'Cultural capital of India', Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) is a city with character and remnants of British Raj visible in its Victorian style architecture, trams and the nomenclature of the place.Kolkata is famous for its people, their culture, food, music, literature and the movies.
In 1690, Job Charnok, an agent of the East India Company chose this place for a British trade settlement. The site was carefully selected, being protected by the Hooghly River on the west, a creek to the north, and by salt lakes about two and a half miles to the east. There were three large villages along the east bank of the river Ganges, named, Sutanuti, Gobindapur and Kalikata.
These three villages were bought by the British from the local land lords. The Mughal emperor granted East India Company freedom of trade in return for a yearly payment of 3,000 rupees.
VIA AIR : Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is situated at Dumdum, which is about 17 kilometres away from the heart of the city. This airport has good connectivity across major cities in India and abroad. From the airport you can take a taxi or a bus to your final destination. Volvo buses ply on multiple routes so just confirm at the airport the bus you should be taking for your address.
VIA TRAIN : Kolkata has an efficient network of railways and is well linked to cities across the country. Superfast trains such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express connect Kolkata from Delhi and nearby places. There are two major railway stations in the city – one is located in Howrah and the other at Sealdah.
VIA ROAD : Kolkata is connected with most of the Indian cities by road. The National Highway number 2 and 6 connect the city with other cities and states in India. Kolkata has a broad network of government and private buses. The Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) and West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC) run regulars bus service in the city. The Esplanade Terminus in the heart of the city is the main bus terminus.
The construction of the sixth longest cantilever bridge in the world, the Howrah Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks of Kolkata.
Jorasanko Thakurbari or the House of the Thakurs is the ancestral residence of the Tagore family. The mansion was built during the 18th century by Prince Dwarkanath Tagore .
Park Street is also called Food Street and the Street that never sleeps by the locals due to the various restaurants and pubs located in the area.
