The British always thought ahead. This fact comes across in the use of modern techniques and science in the architecture of all the buildings designed by them. They were rather extravagant too in the use of metals including gold and in the size of their adornments like statues, shields, swords and pillars. Some of the British monuments that have stood the test of time and continue to impress modern day Kolkata are:
Raj Bhavan:
With a majestic outlook, the Raj Bhavan is now the residence of the Governor of West Bengal. Constructed during the governance of Marquess Wellesley, the building has the distinction of having the very first elevator of Kolkata.
Kolkata Town Hall:
Constructed in the Roman Doric style, the Town Hall was built with funds raised through a lottery. It was used for social gatherings.
Howrah Station:
Constructed first in the British period, the Howrah Station housed the second railway line linking Calcutta with Bardhaman coal fields. The first track essentially built for transporting goods eventually evolved into many platforms. Howrah Station is now one of the largest railway terminals of our country.
Writers Building:
Built in a beautiful European style by the British, Writers Building is today the secretariat of the West Bengal State Government. It also incorporates various departments of the state government.
St. Paul’s Cathedral:
This church, built by Bishop Daniel Wilson, showcases the Gothic Revival style of architecture. The beautiful church with its pristine exterior, stained glass windows and murals makes it one of the important attractions of Kolkata.
Victoria Memorial:
Built in the memory of Queen Victoria, the Victoria Memorial is a fine example of both British and Mughal architecture. Conceived by Lord Curzon and designed by Sir William Emerson, the building is built with white Makrana marble. Best at night with its many lights giving it a fairy tale appearance the Victoria Memorial with its lovely gardens standing on the banks of the Hooghly River, is one of the most visited monuments of the British period.
Stamps of the colonial era are left everywhere in our country. Kolkata has a whole chapter to itself.
With Deepavali round the corner, shopping frenzies will be at their craziest peak. If only you had your list covered a month ahead. If only you could have ordered every gift online weeks ago. As you fret over the last minute planning and shopping, we come to your rescue with some best gifting ideas.
Home accents:
Homes can always use accents. What’s more they can be enjoyed by every member of the family. The items can be decorative like wrought-iron mirrors, candle holders or wall paintings. Or they can be practical yet colourful like cushions, clocks, shades or lamps. Home accents have an appeal all the time.
Kitchen utilities:
When you chose a gift that will find space in the kitchen, you can never be wrong. Any kitchen item you pick will have utility in this food production unit of the house. Now you can add glamour to the utility with the latest in non-stick cookware, trendy crockeries and multi-utility products like choppers and graters. Kitchen utilities can be repeated as gifts any time.
Electronics:
An all-time favourite, gadgets feature on everybody’s shopping list. Since these technology gimmicks are now second nature to almost everyone, rest assured that gifting one of its breed will reward you with an instant smile. Headphones, pen drives, selfie stick, wireless mouse, laptop and mobile accessories, this list is quite endless.
Car accessories:
For friends and relatives who spend the best part of their day driving, your gift ideas do not have to go far. With an extensive selection to choose from, car accessories are fast becoming a favourite gift choice. The list is unbelievable as everything from foldable bottle holders, solar powered fans, and car vacuum cleaners to the more exotic car refrigerators and car stereos are up for choice.
Gifts of the edible kind: If you are still short on time, you always have the back-up of sweets, chocolates and dry fruits. Rush to a nearby sweet shop and choose from a mind boggling variety. They are all displayed in hampers or decorative boxes which makes it easier to buy them on the go.
Deciding on what to buy is almost always the factor that eats into your time. Once you have that covered that you can kick-start, get set and go.
‘The winter air feels so crisp and nippy’, said Sneha as she entered the office. ‘Yes, I had to wear a sweater, imagine in Mumbai!’ said Rohan and laughed. ‘We should be outdoors in this weather and not sitting cooped up at our desks,’ Meena sighed. ‘Yes, madam, let us leave all our work and head out, who will finish these reports?’ teased Prakash. ‘And we have a meeting with the clients next week,’ added Aruna. The five friends had a start-up which was doing quite well in the one year of commencement.
Meena persisted, ‘We have not taken a break in a year. Let us go on a short trip. The reports are nearly done and we are ready for the meeting.’ Rohan was also in favour of the suggestion and soon all five decided to take a four-day break. The next decision was the place to visit. Prakash said, ‘Let us go on a road trip. I read about it all the time on goroadtrip.com. It’s so much fun.’
‘Sounds great,’ ‘but where?’ they wondered. Rohan who was new to Mumbai said, ‘Let’s explore the hill stations close to Mumbai.’ ‘Hill stations in winter? That should be cool!’ laughed the others.
As all their decisions were instant, the five friends set off the very next day.
Their first stop was Matheran, a petite hill station two hours from Mumbai. This eco sensitive hill station was a treat to all their senses with the pure, invigorating air, scenic views, waterfalls, lakes, parks and a surprisingly large variety of medicinal herbs and plants.
After spending a day at Matheran, they friends left on the 96- minute drive to Lonavala. Slightly more commercialized than Matheran, Lonavala offered plenty of activities like waterfall rappelling, trekking and farm tours which the friends enjoyed immensely. They also visited the Korigad Fort and Bhaja caves. While returning back they bought many boxes of the famous Lonavala chikkis to take back home.
They reached Mumbai after two days in Lonavala but were in no mood to return to their routine. ‘Let’s extend the trip,’ said Meena still restless. ‘We can go south of Mumbai this time’. Deciding to indulge her and wanting the extension themselves, they all continued on the National Highway up north.
Three hours from Mumbai they reached Kalsubai which is the highest peak of the Sahyadris in Maharastra. But since it required a three-hour trek to reach the summit, the friends decided to reserve it as an exclusive trip for another time. They proceeded to Bhandardara. A hill station set in the Sahyadri ranges, the place felt blessed abundantly with nature’s best. The high mountains with the lush greenery and soft waterfalls gave the friends plenty of options like trekking and boating. The friends felt completely relaxed and sat quietly together watching the lovely sunset over the hills that evening.
The next day they returned to Mumbai recharged but with the idea of another road trip already formed.
Also read 3 Unbeatable Hill stations of Tamilnadu
‘I was so jetlagged in the morning, now I feel fresh and wide awake’, said Trisha at 6 p.m. ‘How I wish we can visit places in Delhi now instead of in the morning! But I am sure nothing except eateries are open for the night right?’ Her friend Nita, who Trisha was visiting from US, laughed and said, ‘Of course not! You want to see Delhi in the night, so we will. Come on’, and she dragged the surprised Trisha even as she booked a cab using the app on her phone.
The first place Nita took her friend to was India Gate which is the tourist hotspot of the Capital. To Trisha the place seemed alive with so many people hanging around. The lights gave the monument an ethereal look. Nita told her, ‘India Gate looks its best at twilight. The setting sun leaves a golden glow on the western side of the gate and makes the monument appear gold plated.
Their next stop was at Qutub Minar. The illuminated building was an imposing sight and Trisha held her breath when they stood at the foot of the 72.5 metre tower. It appeared to her in the glow of the lights that QutubMinar could tell her many secrets!
After strolling around for some time,they went back home. The two friends repeated the same exercise the next evening. This time their firststop for the night was the Red Fort. The LalQuila or Red Fort looked as though its history of over three hundred years had come alive with a light and sound show that was taking place. Trisha learnt that the show was held every evening.
From Red Fort Nita and Trisha walked up to Chandni Chowk. Nita had arranged for a walk through ChandniChowk with an organization popular for guiding tourists. The walk commenced at ChandniChowk Metro Station and took the girls through the vibrant markets. The guide enthralled them with stories of the 17th century capital, Shahjahanabad which is the walled city of Old Delhi founded by Shahjahan. The girls ended their night out with a cup of chai and yummy chat which ChandniChowk is famous for.
As they dropped off to bed in the early hours of the morning, Trisha concluded that jet lag did have advantages especially in a city like Delhi!
Chennai, previously Madras, was a favourite with the English East India Company in the late 20th Century. The British made Madras their services and manufacturing hub for India and left many indelible marks in the city with several prized monuments functional and enjoyed even today.
High Court Building:
The highest court in Tamil Nadu and among the largest judicial buildings in the world, it was constructed in 1892 under the supervision of British architect Henry Irwin. Comprising of stained glass, beautiful minarets and walls with ornamental decorations, the High Court is an attractive building.
Ripon Building:
Serving as the seat of the Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building showcases three styles of architecture; Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian. It was named after Lord Ripon and constructed by Loganatha Mudaliar.
Fort St. George:
A colonial monument, Fort St. George is currently the headquarters of the Legislative Assembly. It was built in a western architectural style and the construction was supervised by Andrew Cogon and Francis Day. It houses Fort Museum and also Saint Mary’s Church which is the earliest Anglican Church.
Senate House:
An architectural wonder, an Indo-Saracenic style of architecture was adopted in the construction of the Senate House. With many artistic features, stylish porticos and a huge central hall with stone pillars, the Senate House was built by Robert Fellowes Chisholm and depicts the skilful architecture of the British of those times.
Santhome Bascilica Church:
Initially built by the Portuguese in 1523, this Roman Catholic Church in Santhome was reconstructed by the British in 1896.
Central Railway Station:
One of the main landmarks of Chennai, the Central, as it is more popularly known, is built in an impressive Gothic Revival style. It also has some Hindu and Itatianate nuances. It was originally designed by George Hardinge and then additions like the side towers and the central clock were done by Robert F. Chisholm.
Napier Bridge:
One of Chennai’s oldest bridges, it is oft used by the media to represent Chennai. It was built by Francis Napier, the Governor of Madras in 1869. It is built over the Coovum River and connects Fort St. George and the Marina Beach. The bridge is one of the finest testimonies to the architectural skills of the British.
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