BBD Walk (Continued) – Restore Kolkata

Dalhousie Sq. (BBD) Walk 2

Currency Ho. to Samriddhi Bh.

1. About this webpage

This webpage is a walking guide through the Dalhousie Square area. It would show the buildings that have vanished for new developments. About 2 kilometres (following the white lines on the image) walking would reveal some of the old heritage assets of the BBD Bag area.
Heritage sites are marked on the map with labels. Touching the corresponding number on the list below the map would open the window showing the earlier images of the area.

2. Dalhousie Sq. Introduction

Dalhousie Square was the seat of the British Raj till 1911. Even after the capital shifting, Kolkata remained a strong industrial hub till 1960, keeping the city centre in shape. Things started to deteriorate fast thereafter. Several important buildings have been demolished, as shown in the antique map below.

By 2004 and 2006, the World Monuments Watch listed the Square as one of the most endangered built heritage site in the world. Following watch-listing and local solicitation of interest groups, the government of West Bengal pledged to preserve the site; the municipality created its own list of landmarks, 55 of which were located in the Dalhousie Square Heritage Zone.

Many of the important buildings have already been demolished. However, since 2009, most of the important buildings have been protected from demolition but preservation of the old stock is still a major challenge.

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11.Currency House

12. Ice House

The story of Ice in early Kolkata was interesting. Mahendra Nath, brother of Swami Vivekananda wrote,

“কলিকাতায় লাল দিঘীর ধারে বরফের গুদাম ছিল। সেই বরফ করাতের গুঁড়া দিয়া রাখিতে হইত।“.
(There was an ice godown near Lal Dighi where ice was kept with sawdust).

The ice was imported from Boston. The ship sailed to the anartic circle fast, then come towards India and travelled directly north to keep the ice from melting. Such imported ise was stored in a specially made godown in Dalhousie Square where the small cause court stands now.

Mark I Ice house shielded from all sides for insulation with a small side
Mark II Two stories side isle rooms on sides protecting from direct sun
Mark III Two stories above ice storage for insulation and office works
Mark IV Top floor with open terrace for worker’s quarters

13. Great Easten Hotel

The Great Eastern Hotel is the oldest European type hotel in Asia. It also housed the fiirst departmental store in kolkata. The hotel in different timeperiod is presented.

14. Raj Bhaban

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15. St John's Church

16. Hastings House/Place

There was a creek on this road connecting Hoogley to the eastern river system, namely Vidyadhari and Matla. This is the main reason why Job Charnock set up their settlement in Kolkata. Check out the clip for more details.

17. Job Charnock Masauleum

Even if the Old Fort William was existing, Job Charnock masuleam isthe oldest British structure in Kolkata. However, it was a Mughal structure in architectural style.