CALCUTTA

CALCUTTA is now Kolkata. The city is situated on the left bank of the Hooghly, the largest and westernmost branch of the Ganges delta, about 80 m. from the sea.

History

Calcutta was the capital of Bengal and the Indian Empire, and the residence of the Governor-General; the Government buildings, Bishop's College (now an engineering school) High Court, town hall, bank, museum, university, St. Paul's cathedral, and many other English Buildings had earned for it the name "city of palaces".

At the end of the 19th century, its native quarters, though being improved, wer still squalid, the houses of mud or bamboo; an esplanade, numerous quays, an excellent water-supply, gas, and tramway services, added to the amenities. There were extensive dockyards, warehouses, iron-works, timber yards, and jute mills; extensive railway and steamboat communications made it the chief emporium of commerce in Asia; ships of 5000 tons enter the docks;

Founded in 1686, Calcutta was captured by Surajah Dowlah, and the "Black Hole" massacre perpetrated in 1756; became the capital of India in 1772, and had suffered frequently from cyclones; the population were two-thirds Hindus, less than a third Mohammedan, and 4½ per cent. Christian.

After independence of India in 1947, Bengal was divided into East Bengal and West Bengal. It became the capital of West Bengal in Independent India.