Jun 14, 2006 09:02 PM
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Which city was the capital of India at the beginning of 20th century?
Which city was highest population in India till late 1980 ?
Which was by far having most industrial establishment in India till early 1970 ?
Answer is Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Though I love name Calcutta, I have to speak and write Kolkatta. Have you notice all the sentences are in past tense. So do you think this city has lost charm ? By the time we reach to the end of review, we will review this question again.
Kolkata is in the eastern state of India, i.e. West Bengal. Kolkata situated on southern side of the state. It is along the banks of the River Hooghly in a North & South. Kolkata has a subtropical climate, where you will feel heat as well as humidity.
I like you to start from ancient age and move to modern Kolkata. If we trust some archaeological reports, human are living in this area for last 2000 years. But systematic records of the city have been kept after the arrival of the British East India Company in 1690. Since then it remained as a main hub of East India Company. Even after British started ruling India, it remained as capital of India. Later on in 1910, the capital of India was transferred to Delhi.
Journey of Kolkata from a small village (Kalikata) to Mega city Kolkata is really interesting. Before British rule, Kolkata was a small town Kalikata. After the arrival of British people, they like this place and initiated development here. Till mid of 19th century Kolkata was having best industrial growth in the country. Textile and Jute industry was on its peak in Kolkata. Kolkata soon got facility like rail, roads and telegraph etc very fast by British government. In 1910 Capital of India was moved to Delhi because of its central location in India. In 194y, with partition, city has lost its balance also when thousands of Hindus came back from East Pakistan.
This started the Dark age for Kolkata 50s- 60s – 70s. Age of strikes, Marxist Maoist movements, Unionism, Labor problems.All these damaged the city's infrastructure. , leading to an economic stagnation. The situation becomes gone the worst after 71’s war. Thousands of refugees entered Kolkata and it shook the balance of the city. City is still feeling tremor of those inward movement by watching so many unemployed and lower calls people in city.
City was almost dead in berried from early 70s to mid 90s. Because of above given problems, no industry was willing to touch soil of Kolkata. Government has revised their vision in mid 90s. They had become more industry friendly. Since 2000, Information Technology services development has done wonders for the city. The city has reinvented a growth in the manufacturing sector. And now Kolkata is ready to be made its mark on world map again.
Famous Kolkata Personalities
Bengali being one of the most talented people of India, they have many icons. From sports to film, from literature to politics, Kolkata has many famous personalities. If I start with any other name than Swami Vivekanand then I would do injustice to this review. He is one of the greatest person lived in modern India. Along with him his guru Ramkrishna Paramhans was well known personality. In politics, Kolkata had given Subashchandra bose. In famous people in literature Kolkata has Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore. In film industry, Satyajit Ray, Ashok kumar and his brothers, RD & SD. In sports Kolkata have our own Dada (sourav) and Olympian Leander Paes. Among all how can I forget Mother Teresa here ?
Don’t miss at Kolkata
Kolkata Metro Railway (first in India) and ancient Tram Way also
The Victoria Memorial which is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria
World famous Rasgulla as dessert
The National Library of India – largest public library
Howrah Bridge on river Hooghly
Eden Gardens – a 100,000 seat cricket stadium
New Salt Lake Stadium — a multi-use stadium, world's highest capacity football stadium.
Birla Planetarium - the largest planetarium in South East Asia and the second largest planetarium in the world.
Fort William - the citadel of Calcutta.
Botanical Garden & Zoological Garden – Two wonderful gardens built way back in 18th century. Nehru Children's Museum - entertaining place for children.
