Kolkata
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| Kolkata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Kolkata |
| Settlement type | Metropolis |
| Coordinates | 22, 34, 22, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | India |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | West Bengal |
| Subdivision type2 | Division |
| Subdivision name2 | Presidency |
| Subdivision type3 | District |
| Subdivision name3 | Kolkata |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1690 |
| Founder | Job Charnock (East India Company) |
| Government type | Municipal Corporation |
| Governing body | Kolkata Municipal Corporation |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Firhad Hakim |
| Area total km2 | 206.08 |
| Population total | 4,496,694 |
| Population as of | 2011 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population metro | 14,112,536 |
| Population metro footnotes | (KMA) |
| Timezone1 | IST |
| Utc offset1 | +5:30 |
| Postal code type | PIN |
| Postal code | 7000xx, 7001xx |
| Area code type | Telephone code |
| Area code | +91-33 |
| Registration plate | WB-01 to WB-10 |
| Blank name sec1 | Official language |
| Blank info sec1 | Bengali and English |
| Blank1 name sec1 | Literacy rate |
| Blank1 info sec1 | 86.31% (2011) |
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it served as the capital of British India until 1911 and remains a primary hub of commerce, culture, and education in Eastern India. The city is renowned for its vibrant intellectual life, colonial architecture, and as the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thought.
History
The area's early significance is linked to the medieval ports of Saptagram and Bandel. The city's modern foundation is traditionally attributed to Job Charnock of the British East India Company in 1690, establishing a trading post at Sutanuti. It became the capital of the Bengal Presidency and later the capital of British India after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The city was a focal point during the Bengal Renaissance, producing figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda. It witnessed pivotal events such as the Black Hole of Calcutta incident, the Indian independence movement, and the traumatic Partition of Bengal in 1947, which dramatically altered its demographics. The city was officially renamed in 2001.
Geography and climate
The city is situated in the Ganges Delta on the banks of the Hooghly River, approximately 80 kilometers west of the international border with Bangladesh. Its topography is uniformly flat, with an average elevation of about nine meters above sea level. The region experiences a tropical wet-and-dry climate (Köppen *Aw*), characterized by a hot and humid summer from March to June, the monsoon season from June to September brought by the Bay of Bengal branch of the south-west monsoon, and a mild, dry winter from December to January. The East Kolkata Wetlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate, provide crucial natural sewage treatment.
Demographics and culture
As per the 2011 Census of India, the city proper houses over 4.5 million people, with the wider Kolkata metropolitan area exceeding 14 million. The predominant language is Bengali, with significant communities speaking Hindi, Urdu, and Odia. The city is a cultural epicenter, known for its Durga Puja festival, which transforms the urban landscape into a grand artistic exhibition. It is the home of Bengali cinema (Tollywood), Rabindra Sangeet, and a rich literary tradition fostered by institutions like the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad. Culinary specialties include Macher Jhol, Roshogolla, and street food like Phuchka.
Economy
The city's economy is driven by the service sector, with key industries in information technology, financial services, and tea processing. It hosts the Calcutta Stock Exchange and the headquarters of major corporations like ITC Limited and Coal India. The Port of Kolkata, India's oldest operating port, and the Haldia dock system are vital for trade. Historically, it was the center of the jute trade and remains a major hub for small-scale and cottage industries. The Howrah and Sealdah railway termini areas are significant commercial districts.
Government and politics
The city is administered by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), headed by a Mayor, currently Firhad Hakim. It is the capital of the state government of West Bengal, housing the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and the Raj Bhavan. The Kolkata Police force is under the jurisdiction of the West Bengal Police. The city is a key political stronghold for the All India Trinamool Congress and has been represented in the Lok Sabha by figures such as Mamata Banerjee.
Transport
Public transport is dominated by the Kolkata Suburban Railway, the extensive bus network of the West Bengal Transport Corporation, and the Kolkata Metro, India's first rapid transit system. The city is served by the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Dum Dum. Major railway stations include Howrah Junction, one of the busiest in India, and Sealdah Station. The iconic Howrah Bridge and the newer Vidyasagar Setu are crucial river crossings. Traditional hand-pulled rickshaws still operate in some areas.
Education and research
The city is a major educational center, home to prestigious institutions like the University of Calcutta, Presidency University, and the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur's extension campus. It hosts premier research centers such as the Indian Statistical Institute, the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, and the Bose Institute, founded by Jagadish Chandra Bose. Notable schools include La Martiniere Calcutta and St. Xavier's Collegiate School. The Indian Museum, founded in 1814, is the oldest and largest museum in India.