30/06/2021
Take a walk through the busy streets of B.B.D. Bagh and reminisce the colonial heritage of the city’s past.
Dalhousie Square, now known as the Binoy Badal Dinesh Bagh (named after the three revolutionary, freedom fighters of Bengal), was the seat of power and administration during the British Colonial rule in Kolkata. It was also the centre of business with an impressive number of important institutions, financial establishments, banks, corporations and other commercial activities. In fact, the area still remains the central business district of the entire Eastern India.
The Dalhousie Square is dotted with a number of buildings, which were constructed during the British Raj and boasts of the finest remnants of the colonial architecture in the world. Located in the middle of it, the huge Lal Dighi water body is flanked by the majestic Writers' Building in the north, along with the domed GPO building, Treasury Office and the Reserve Bank of India in the west. Moving on to the southern part of the Dalhousie Square, we find the Dead Letter Office and the Raj Bhavan towards the extreme end. In the east, we will come across the Stephen House and the luxurious Great Eastern Hotel. The other heritage buildings include the Town Hall, the High Court, St. Andrew’s Church and St. John’s Church. The West Bengal Government’s Secretariat and the Chief Minister’s office were housed in the Writers’ Building till it is temporarily shifted to Nabanna in New Town.
Amidst the bustling lanes and the cacophony of the B.B.D Bagh area, the office-goers head towards their offices in the famous commercial hub. There are many eateries in and around, be it small kiosks or proper restaurants.
