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"Colonial Calcutta" a Kolkata (Calcutta) Travel Page by Willettsworld

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"Colonial Calcutta" a Kolkata (Calcutta) Travel Page by Willettsworld

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Willettsworld   
"Don't listen to what they say. Go see." ~ Chinese proverb


Real Name: Glyn Willett
Lives In: Welwyn Garden City, UK
Member Since: Apr 22, 2005
VT Rank: 273

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Page Views: 12,764            Last Visit to Kolkata (Calcutta): December, 2006      

Colonial Calcutta

by Willettsworld - last update: Aug 19, 2007

Victoria Memorial
Think of Kolkata, (or Calcatta, as it was previously known until a few years ago), and the first things you’ll probably think about is child poverty, mass population, traffic, pollution and Mother Teresa. To say that Kolkata has its fair share of urbanisation problems is an understatement and your first impressions of the city, like mine, will no doubt be very negative. I arrived here from Varanasi via Bodh Gaya on the train and instantly was bombarded with child beggars and various touts. I have to say that my overall view of the city isn’t a very good one. I arrived feeling unwell and stayed near Howrah Station as I had heard horror stories about budget hotels in the Sudder Street area. The hotel I stayed in was very poor which only impacted my negative thoughts. I decided to move to Sudder Street and looked around a few places which all looked rather grim but at least I would be with fellow travellers and backpackers which were missing where I was staying. The only problem I then had was being able to move hotels as the following day a citywide strike disabled the transportation links so I ended up staying put where I was for a further night. Strikes happen all the time here so be warned that they totally cripple getting around plus hardly anywhere is open. Strangely the strike did have one benefit and that was I could walk around sightseeing without being run-over by Kolkata’s world famous traffic.

Kolkata was the British Raj’s capital city when they first took hold in India before eventually moving to New Delhi. What they built was a spectacular combination of grand colonial buildings, wide boulevards and green park areas. These all remain today but most of the buildings are in a very poor state of repair and the streets around them are pretty filthy. However, the city is going through an economic rejuvenation with new I.T. businesses sprouting up which I hope will provide money for the local government to use wisely in order to clean the city up. If you visit the famous Victoria Memorial you’ll see photo’s of what Calcutta once looked like during the 1940’s and 1950’s – well kept buildings and clean streets. Don’t let me put you off visiting here as there is plenty to see and do and it is a wonderful place to experience everyday Indian urban life.
Howrah Bridge
Writers' Building

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Willettsworld's Kolkata (Calcutta) Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 34 - Photos: 96
 
Restaurants
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 3 - Photos: 5
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 3 - Photos: 6
 
Transportation
Tips: 4 - Photos: 5
Local Customs
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2
 
Packing Lists
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Shopping
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Sports Travel
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
General Tips
Tips: 1

Willettsworld's Kolkata (Calcutta) Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Indian Museum Part 1December, 2006 8
Indian Museum Part 2December, 2006 8
Colonial CalcuttaDecember, 2006 8
Victoria MemorialDecember, 2006 8

Comments for Willettsworld about Kolkata (Calcutta)
goutammitra Fri Jul 17, 2009 16:21 UTC
 One of the better pages on Kolkata, why missed by visitors? The tips are sensible and correct. It is vey difficult to get a bed in Kolkata for less than Rs1000/- back packers prefer Sudder St. I have not finished yet.

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