Photogallery of Kolkata, India

It is safe to say that Kolkata is one of the most authentic and contrast cities in India. This is a true cultural center of the country that is also the capital of West Bengal State. Having arrived in this Indian city, you will be shocked and charmed at the same time. Perhaps, it is hard to find another city in the world where misery and richness are in such a striking contrast. That being said, local people are very friendly and hospitable despite their hard life. The city itself looks like it is centuries back in time and the Indian government forgot about it. Tourists still try to visit this city and see its marvelous landmarks, even though some of them are in poor condition. Settlements existed on the site of modern Kolkata and its surroundings already more than 2,000 years ago. However, Kolkata as a city started actively developing at the end of the seventeenth century when the British East India Company started working in the region. Reportedly, Job Charnock was the founder of the city, but the Calcutta High Court stated in 2003 that the city didn’t have a founder. During the British reign, the city was the capital region of British India. It maintained this status until 1911. Thanks to this, the Indian settlement is now quite a large scientific, political, and cultural center. In the mid-19th century, the territory of Kolkata was conventionally divided into two parts, an Indian and British one. Starting from the 50s of the 19th century, the city has been … Read further