After the British conquest of Bengal, Calcutta grew from a small village to a big city. Find out about the culture, architecture and the life of Europeans and Indians of the city during the colonial period.
The colonial city of Calcutta was a centre of administration, a port and an European residential enclave. The Europeans were living in high amenity in well-serviced areas. On the other hand, the natives were living in unplanned, congested areas. The Europeans enjoyed bungalows and clubs. They enjoyed race, golf courses, soccer and cricket. They had domestic water supply, proper electricity, sewage links etc. On the other hand the natives lacked these facilities. At a later stage, the city of Calcutta started growing with Europeans towns, growing south and south-west of the Parle Street. Calcutta developed as a cultural city of India. Dramas, Group theaters, Indian classical music, religious and social festivals, etc. enriched its cultural heritage. The people participated and contributed in these events enthusiastically. Bankim Chandra, Rabindra Nath Tagore, etc. were some prominent poets of the colonial age. Calcutta was also known for its cuisine. Rice and macher jhole (fish curry), rasagolla, sandesh, misthi roti, etc. were famous. During colonial period Calcutta had many grand examples of architecture. These were adorned with Gothic, Roman, Oriental and Indo-Islamic motifs. Indian Museum, Victoria Memorial, National Library of India, Academy of fine arts etc. are some examples.
The colonial city of Calcutta was a centre of administration, a port and an European residential enclave. The Europeans were living in high amenity in well-serviced areas. On the other hand, the natives were living in unplanned, congested areas. The Europeans enjoyed bungalows and clubs. They enjoyed race, golf courses, soccer and cricket. They had domestic water supply, proper electricity, sewage links etc. On the other hand the natives lacked these facilities. At a later stage, the city of Calcutta started growing with Europeans towns, growing south and south-west of the Parle Street. Calcutta developed as a cultural city of India. Dramas, Group theaters, Indian classical music, religious and social festivals, etc. enriched its cultural heritage. The people participated and contributed in these events enthusiastically. Bankim Chandra, Rabindra Nath Tagore, etc. were some prominent poets of the colonial age. Calcutta was also known for its cuisine. Rice and macher jhole (fish curry), rasagolla, sandesh, misthi roti, etc. were famous. During colonial period Calcutta had many grand examples of architecture. These were adorned with Gothic, Roman, Oriental and Indo-Islamic motifs. Indian Museum, Victoria Memorial, National Library of India, Academy of fine arts etc. are some examples.
