Kolkata—then known as Calcutta—was once the capital of India under British rule. The East India Company first established its presence in Calcutta, eventually becoming a major political power in the region.
A printing press in College Street, Kolkata
As trade flourished in the 19th century, Calcutta witnessed rapid urbanisation. The town was divided into two parts—the White Town (for Europeans) sprawled across Chowringhee and Dalhousie Square whereas the Black Town primarily constituted northern Calcutta.
A boy running with his dog in the narrow bylanes of North Kolkata, with colonial buildings on both sides.
Although Kolkata is now a melting point of cultures, these historical influences can still be observed in both parts of the city. This old-world charm coupled with modernity is perhaps what makes Kolkata so special. Not many places have managed to balance the old and the new as well as the City of Joy.
A green door of a North Kolkata house.
