Kolkata, India
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| Kolkata, India | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Kolkata |
| Native name | কলকাতা |
| Country | India |
| State | West Bengal |
| Founded | 1690s |
| Area km2 | 185 |
| Population | 4,496,694 (2011) |
| Density km2 | 24,000 |
| Timezone | IST |
| Postal code | 700001–700156 |
Kolkata, India is the capital city of West Bengal and a major metropolitan center on the eastern coast of India. Founded as a trading post in the late 17th century, the city played a central role in the British East India Company era, the Indian independence movement, and post‑colonial industrial and cultural developments. Kolkata remains a hub for Bengali literature, Indian cinema, Indian politics, and South Asian commerce.
History
Kolkata's origins trace to the villages of Sutanuti, Gobindapur, and Kalikata, consolidated under the British East India Company after the Battle of Plassey and the tenure of Robert Clive. The city served as the capital of British India until 1911 when the seat moved to New Delhi under the reign of King George V during the Delhi Durbar. Kolkata witnessed significant events including the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the activities of figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, Ramakrishna, and Swami Vivekananda, and the Bengal famines such as the Bengal famine of 1943. During the 20th century Kolkata was central to the Calcutta Tramways Company, the development of Indian Railways junctions, and political movements involving the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the All India Trinamool Congress, and leaders like Jyoti Basu and Mamata Banerjee.
Geography and Climate
Kolkata lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges River, within the Ganges Delta near the Bay of Bengal. The metropolitan area abuts districts such as Howrah district and North 24 Parganas district, and is intersected by canals associated with historic port works like the Netaji Subhas Dock. The city experiences a tropical wet-and-dry climate influenced by the Indian monsoon, with seasonal cyclones tracked by the India Meteorological Department and mitigated through agencies like the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the Calcutta Port Trust.
Demographics
The population comprises diverse communities including Bengali people, Marwari community, Punjabi people, Anglo-Indians, and Bihari people, with significant minorities of Muslims in India, Christians in India, Jains, and Sikhs. Linguistic life centers on Bengali language alongside Hindi, English, and regional languages. Religious and cultural festivals such as Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Pohela Boishakh, and Christmas draw participation from civic institutions like the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and cultural groups tied to venues like the Victoria Memorial and the Indian Museum.
Economy and Infrastructure
Kolkata's economic history includes the Calcutta Dock System of the Colonial India era and modern sectors like information technology in India, banking in India, and manufacturing in India. Major commercial entities have included the Tata Group, ITC Limited, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and regional headquarters of national banks such as the State Bank of India. Infrastructure projects encompass the Kolkata Metro, the Kolkata Urban Development Authority, the expansion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, and the Vidyasagar Setu bridge connecting Howrah Bridge and urban districts. Economic challenges have engaged bodies like the Reserve Bank of India and development schemes under the Ministry of Urban Development (India).
Culture and Education
Kolkata is noted for institutions such as the Indian Museum, the Victoria Memorial, Chowringhee Road galleries, and the Jadavpur University and University of Calcutta, both influential in Indian higher education. The city nurtured literary figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Satyajit Ray in cinema and Ritwik Ghatak in film. Performing arts venues include the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, Nandan (film center), and the Rabindra Sadan; music traditions feature artists associated with All India Radio and festivals organized by bodies like the Paschimbanga Bangla Academy. Annual events such as the Kolkata Book Fair and institutions like the National Library of India underscore the city's cultural prominence.
Transportation
Kolkata's transport network includes the Kolkata Metro, India's oldest underground rapid transit system, suburban services of Eastern Railway (India), and arterial roads such as Chittaranjan Avenue and VIP Road. River transport on the Hooghly River complements ferry services linked to Howrah Station and the Kolkata Port Trust. Long-distance connectivity relies on Howrah Junction railway station, Sealdah railway station, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, while bridge links include the Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) and the Vidyasagar Setu.
Landmarks and Tourism
Prominent sites include the Victoria Memorial, the Indian Museum, Howrah Bridge, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Belur Math, and the Eden Gardens cricket stadium. Cultural tourism features institutions like Nandan (film center), the Science City Kolkata, and historic neighborhoods such as College Street and Kumartuli. The city's culinary attractions are represented by eateries associated with Bengali cuisine, street food hubs near New Market, Kolkata, and confectioneries tied to traditions exemplified by Rosogolla makers. Pilgrimage and heritage circuits involve the Kalighat Temple, Marble Palace, Kolkata, and colonial-era structures along Esplanade, Kolkata.
Category:Cities in West Bengal Category:Metropolitan areas of India