History & Heritage

A small train with a big story of courage and creativity

Through Silk Road’s vast seas, Bengal’s muslin, culture, and sailors carried the East’s spirit worldwide

In Bengal’s spiritual tradition lies a story that has been told and retold for generations—the story of the Ray family of Balagarh,

Indigo signifies the struggle of Indian peasants during the British Raj, when the demand for the dye in the European textile industry sharply

Bengal has a rich history from ancient to modern India. Among all the historic eras, the British Raj remains in the spotlight. The

Owning a garden house by the Ganges had become a “trend” among the affluent classes of the 19th and 20th

Kali — the name reflects the strength of the divine power. Her dark and fierce presence embodies the utmost divinity and

Faith doesn't simply exist in temples in Bengal; it also moves through forests, rivers, and red earth. The divine feminine is not an

Durga Puja is the largest festival for Bengalis. It is the time of year for which everyone has been waiting. The

Bengal has always been a home for harmony

Bagbazar in North Kolkata was once home to at least a dozen Bonedi Bari, or palatial mansions, belonging to the aristocratic families

"I t was 1955–56. My childhood days. Girls would play hopscotch on the rooftop, and a few of us boys played

The fact is known to all that if Maharishi Debendranath Tagore had not come to Bolpur, Santiniketan would never have been established. In 1863, he

Bharatpur is a small village in Galsi, on the left bank of the Damodar River, seven kilometres southwest of Panagarh

Purulia district, known for its striking red and green forests, is a popular tourist destination in West Bengal. Come autumn,

In social analysis, there is a term that connects data with temporal memory, known as ethnography. By bringing together people’s history,

Even at 79, India is still a young nation in the journey of history. When we say India, we mean

Chandraketugarh, West Bengal's North 24 Parganas—which was once a bustling coastal centre of global trade, is now in ruins, surrounded

https://youtu.be/WCMw33b5GuU?si=4GYkppPmutPLydZl The history of Chandannagar college in the Hooghly district is truly thrilling and fascinating. From its very beginning, the college

Is Tollygunge just a bustling neighbourhood? Well, even if it is one today, there was a time when it was

On July 4, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) celebrated the birthday of the iconic Toy Train. Now in its 144th year, the Toy

"What’s in a name?" comes from Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet," where Juliet argues that a name is artificial and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZVVfU8jyG4 It’s called the Brighton of the East. At least Warren Hastings and the British gave Digha such a prestigious name.

The Bhakti movement or the Vaishnava movement is known worldwide for its preachings of acceptance. Due to the rigidity and

Kalyani, the satellite town in Nadia district that is barely 50 kilometers from Kolkata, is a relatively young town that

In this 3-part series, GB brings a fascinating tale of Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestors, the Pirali Brahmins and how they descended

Remember Mrinal Sen’s iconic film, Akaler Sandhaney? This national award-winning film was shot in Somrabazar. Steeped in history and flanked by the

Poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt had planned to write an epic poem narrating the heroic victory of Singhal (Sri Lanka) by

YSome call it a haunted mansion, some say it is a den of cobras, but the very sight of the

In this fast-paced, city-centric life, not many people are perhaps aware of the tiny hamlet Mankar, tucked deep inside Galsi I

Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement on August 8, 1942 demanding an end to British rule in India. It was nearly

Originating from ceremonial functions, jatra, an integral part of Bengal’s cultural revolution quickly became a procession in praise of chosen

Kajlagarh Palace (Rajbari) East Midnapore district has a rich historical legacy. The district is home to a large number of notable

Image Courtesy : West Bengal Heritage Commission The Laxmi Janardan Temple in Santiniketan, built over 350 years ago, remains a remarkable example

Historians of North Bengal University have unearthed the fascinating tale of how Darjeeling Mail was once upon a time known

IKolkata’s jewel, the Eden Gardens, is the oldest and second-largest cricket stadium in India and third largest in the world.

Hindu texts present diverse views on the position of women, ranging from feminine leadership as the highest goddess, to limiting

Indranil Haldar lives in Australia but is passionate about anything to do with his homeland, his birthplace, Bengal This is the

Representative image An ancient handwritten manuscript with multi-coloured pictures of Tulsidas’ Ramayana Ramcharit Manas, owned by the royal family of Mahisadal under Tamluk subdivision of

Asoft glow illuminates the pristine sky as dusk descends, interrupted only by the non-stop chirping of birds returning to their

For all those in this part of Bengal, whose ancestors were part of Bangladesh once upon a time, reliving the

In the life of Bengalis, the charm of the Bangla Calendar during Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year) has faded. Our own calendar is no longer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETybCQV4ShE There are a few people in this world who are remembered beyond a century of their birth. Yes, we do

The Hooghly Imambara carries a living story of devotion, history, and architectural nuances that is beyond a mere monument. Located on the

Bastille… that formidable French prison that none could ever get through. But on the afternoon of 14 July 1789, this

Shikarpur village and Shikarpur Uchcha (Uchchatara Madhyamik) Vidyalaya are like Siamese twins and share their common birth and history. Before

Bangiya Sahitya Parishat is a familiar landmark in North Kolkata’s Manicktola area and most people know this heritage institution as

Rasmancha, Bishnupur The temples of Bengal often provide vivid details of different periods of history through their architecture and inscriptions. Kinjal

For a region with such a rich and diverse history and culture, Bengal does very little to preserve the remnants

Hingol Shakti Peeth is considered supreme because Sati’s head had fallen here. It is also the first Shaktipeeth mentioned in Durga Saptshati and Markanda Purana. Various

She was the ruler of the Bhurishrestha Kingdom that covered large parts of modern-day Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan and Midnapore. Rani

In Sundarbans, Several human communities have been sharing space with wild animals for centuries. It is an example of wonderful

The sudden growling of a hand truck in the distance when no one is about, the diesel engines of a

TThe mines at Singbhum have been producing Copper since the last 2500 years. Hindustan Copper Limited extracts copper from these

Did you have any clue about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s breakfast love? Well, he loved to eat bread and pudding

Palanquins (Palki) being used as a medium of travel was a new concept to the British when they landed in Bengal.

Representative Image Since time immemorial, boats on the Hooghly, from the simplest canoe made from the hollowed-out-trunk of a tree too

St Paul's Cathedral By all accounts, Christianity, which came to India’s Malabar coast just 52 years after the death of Jesus

Kolkata, an incredible city steeped in centuries-old history and renowned for its exclusive architecture, harbours many historical gems often unnoticed

There is an ancient adage that says, ‘One who sleeps under a quilt is comforted by love.’ So true indeed!

Part 5: Illustrious descendants of Siraj Sourindrakishore’s first wife, Tripureswari Devi, died under mysterious circumstances. They had one son, Upendra Kishore

Part 3: Watershed Chalan Beel destroyed by Railways The north-western segment of the Eastern Bengal Railway (EBR) contributed to the deterioration

By 1947, there were five faculties and 17 teaching departments at Dhaka University. At present, the university consists of 13

Part 4: Why Jugalkishore asked his son to relocate to Shillong Jugalkishore’s youngest son, Prankrishnanath Roy Choudhury chose to stay with

Park Street Police Station Every year, the week of November 19-25 is observed as World Heritage Week by the United Nations

Part 2: Problems in Bengal Railways The root of the problem appears to lie not in the erection of the railway

Part 3: Why Jugalkishore had to move his estate from Myemenshingha to Sylhet  A pandemic had ravaged the zamindari of Jugalkishore

Part 1: Why Bengal Railways was confronted with a resistance from River Trade Triangulating India with railway at a cost of

In this 3-episode series, GB delves into the past and present of Dhaka University, that has remained as an epitome

Chaplin Cinema, Kolkata After the British settled in Calcutta, they envisioned a majestic plan for the growth and development of the

Seventy-five years ago on October 10, 1946, it was the day of Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, when Bengali Hindus of Bangladesh

In this 3-part series, GB brings a fascinating tale of Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestors, the Pirali Brahmins and how they descended

Part 1: Siraj falls in love with Heera, the sister of Mohanlal, his general and a son is born  BLocated on

The old palatial houses (Raj-Bari) of erstwhile landlords (zamindars) of Kolkata have long attracted much attention, especially the time-worn icons

Three iconic restaurants on Park Street — Mocambo, Trincas and Kwality received a heritage tag from the prestigious INTACH (Indian

‘Nana bhasha, nana mot, nana paridhan, Bibhider majhe dekho milan mahan

Purveyors of ready to eat food Located within Calcutta Municipal Corporation limits In business from 1960 or earlier Still operational or currently alive

Not far from Ausgram in East Burdwan stands a series of mounds that may appear to be non-descript at first

Imagine chanting Buddhang Swaranam Gachhami in the middle of a Mango and Mosque town of Malda. But isn’t that what

Late autumn heralds the arrival of winter in Bengal; dew gathers on the blades of grass; mist darkens the morning;

“It’s a graveyard of hope; this old railway line; ancestors thought it would last; the rigours of time will test

37th Indian Brigade in Basra World War I, the first truly global war. Between 1914 and 1918, this terrible conflict accounted

Is it a Russian palace or a Hindu temple? Experts have differing views regarding the Hansheswari Temple of Bansberia and

How can a structure that was meant to be a guest house be so grand? Present-day guest houses in Kolkata

An African king ruling Bengal? Does that seem a remote idea? Well not actually. Many royal coins found in Bengal

A breathtaking sight in all its faded grandeur may be found in the Howrah region on the eastern banks of

Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Jawaharlal Nehru are the three Indians most likely to feature in commemorative stamps released by

A slice of British royalty can still be viewed on a posh lane of Alipore in South Kolkata, the Victorian

TWhen a palace turns into a wonderful museum, harbouring in its depths the royal vignettes of a bygone era, it

Kolkata witnessed Asia’s first cantilever hanging bridge, a result of the British empire making an effort to turn the city

Conserving the heritage of a city is not just talking about the crumbling buildings. It is also about bringing the

The importance of ports and their significance in trade routes are well-documented, but often, only selective ports receive attention. Kolkata

The Sabarna Roy Choudhury Paribar Parishad, Saptarshi Bhawan, Sakherbazar, Barisha, Kolkata Every year, The Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family museum organizes an

Chandannagar Museum A new feather has been recently added to the erstwhile French town of Chandannagar – a renovated museum at

Shashanka was the first independent king of a unified polity of Bengal called Gauda and is a major figure in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC-qDA1zIEA McLeod's Light Railways began operations on the Ahmedpur–Katwa Railway connecting Ahmadpur (now Birbhum district) and Katwa (now East Burdwan district)

Indian Railways -- one of the world’s largest railway systems that run over 12,500 trains every day -- is more

Butto Kristo Paul Chemist Shop, North Kolkata As I walked from the Sovabazar Metro Station for around 15 minutes, the red

Dakshindihi Rabindra Complex after restoration AA narrow road barely touches the Dhaka-Khulna highway and then bifurcates and penetrates through the verdant

London Saree Walkathon, 2023, organized by ‘British Women in Sarees’ on National Handloom Day Former Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, announced

The main structure in Bhot Bagan math Bengal was a bastion of the early classical Buddhism as a socio-cultural force until

The last king of Awadh, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah The lanes and bylanes of Metiabruz came to life this weekend as

At the start of the 20th century, 1907 to be precise, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court was

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was one of the many multi-talented Bengalis. He was an essayist, novelist, critic, a journalist, polemicist and

India has a total of 40 sites that have been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage tag. These include 32 cultural

Archaeological excavations in various parts of Bengal have thrown up a variety of dolls and their different shapes mark a

Kidderpore, located in the southern part of Kolkata is pretty ancient. It was once selected as the site for the

News of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has alarmed all the other countries. The number of lives the

Mahasthangarh is one of the oldest and most traditional places among the archaeological monuments of Bangladesh. This ancient monument is

CThe quiet, semirural Lalbagh of Murshidabad often cuts a story steeped in timeless wonder. With its serene Motijheel, a large

She has stood there for almost a century, like a grand witness to a gradual change from the colonial era

It was in 19th century, that one of the wealthiest members of Calcutta’s Jewish community David Joseph Ezra, settled on

Dwarkanath Tagore is a very famous name, not just as part of the illustrious Tagore family and one of its

Though we celebrate Basant Panchami in Bengal every year as Saraswati Puja, in every nook and corner, in every para,

August 11, 1908, is the day Khudiram Bose was hanged by the British-Indian administration. For the attempted assassination of senior

In 2015, Norwegian filmmaker Erland Haugen was writing a screenplay featuring Prof Edward Farley Oaten. For assistance, he turned to

The Alipore Zoo remains as lively as ever this winter with a nineteen-hectare area sprawling with the best of flora

Nearly two years ago, news emerged of the long-awaited renovation of the roughly 230-year-old Roxburgh Building at Acharya Jagadish Chandra

Harry Potter fans will cry hoarse to convince the non-initiated about the existence of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters (Platform 9¾).

The sound of the McLeod’s Light Railways (MLR) train’s whistle pierced the surrounding. A sudden flurry of activities signaled the

Even a few years ago the stately building of Rani Rashmoni at Janbazar was in shambles with illegal settlers taking

The dream called Santiniketan was not just about world poet Rabindranath Tagore. It was also about Visva Bharati Publishing house

June 4, 1855. Sambad Prabhakar, a widely circulated Bengali publication of the day run by Ishwar Gupta, published a report

The dream called Santiniketan was not just about world poet Rabindranath Tagore. It was also about Visva Bharati Publishing house

Did you know India’s first post office was set up at Khejuri in East Midnapore? Yes, that very Khejuri that

It has been more than 50 years since the Dacca Mail aka Pakistan Mail stopped commuting between Sealdah and Goalanda

Murshidabad, on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, is steeped in history. Set up by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the

Poet Annadashankar Roy once wrote, “Hanser priyo googly/ Portugeeseder Hooghly/ Gooner priyo tanpura/ Olandajder Chinsura” which roughly translated means, ‘Just

Raja Subodh Mullick’s mansion A couple of days ago, a short media report stated that Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had identified

Radhaballav  temple On our heritage trail in Serampore, our second destination was the historic Radhaballav Temple, located on Ballavpur Thakurbati Street.

Bank of Bengal building With the uproar generated by Mumbai lawyer Vedika Chaubey filing a case against actor Ranveer Singh for

Almost like a colonial matriarch nurturing her heritage roots, the city of Kolkata holds culture and tradition close to its

Flag of India 1907 (Nationalists Flag) Today is what we have come to know as Flag Adoption Day, the day the

The Gateway to Tagore’s land will soon get a big facelift as Bolpur Railway Station is one of the 10

The ‘Crowning Glory’ of the British Empire, the ‘City of Palaces’ is undergoing rapid changes. So much so that even

There’s a reason why Jagannath Ghat in Kolkata is called what it is. Practically at the base of Howrah Bridge,

Here is good news for the residents of Suti, Murshidabad. The almost 200-year-old Nimtita Palace, immortalised by Satyajit Ray’s Jalsaghar,

WGood news for plant lovers and botanists. The 230-year-old dilapidated Roxburgh Building and the herbarium that once upon a time

In this age of global cultural homogenization, museums have a great responsibility towards society and the world. Museums uphold our

In this 3-part series GB explores the tales of famous dacoits of Bengal in the 18th and 19th centuries, who

In this 3-part series GB explores the tales of famous dacoits of Bengal in the 18th and 19th centuries, who

(In this 3-part series GB explores the tales of famous dacoits of Bengal in the 18th and 19th centuries, who

Serampore is a quiet town, 35 kilometers from Kolkata on the other side of the River Hooghly, right opposite Barrackpore.

Representative image A civilization dating back to 1,000-1,200 years has been found in the vicinity of the world’s largest coastal mangrove

The Indian Museum recently witnessed an eclectic Seminar titled ‘Recent Researches on Harappan Culture’ last week. There was a display

Limelight Building The Kolkata Police Heritage Organisation. Sounds unfamiliar? Not likely to be for too much longer, if former Kolkata Police

Representative image Why is West Bengal celebrating Poila Baisakh a day later than Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh? Why does year zero

Subhas Chandra Bose and Emilie Schenkl in Karlsbad in 1935 For almost a year after his disappearance and alleged death on

Bengal has always been the melting pot of religions and cultures and no wonder the great bard Rabindranath Tagore knew

We often talk of Rani Rashmoni as the philanthropist linked to Dakshineshwar Temple. But how many of us speak of

We often talk of Rani Rashmoni as the philanthropist linked to Dakshineshwar Temple. But how many of us speak of

We often talk of Rani Rashmoni as the philanthropist linked to Dakshineshwar Temple. But how many of us speak of

We often talk of Rani Rashmoni as the philanthropist linked to Dakshineshwar Temple. But how many of us speak of

The year was 1919. A 34-year-old Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India’s Western Circle was visiting the Sindh

Is it upturned? Is it twisted or gone topsy turvy? Never mind the Bengali name of the neighbourhood, Ultadanga is

In January of 1692 (1693 if we go by the modern calendar), Job Charnock died in Calcutta, a city of

We often visit Darjeeling, but how many of us know the story of a British General who chanced upon the

A bus ride from London to Calcutta in the 1950s sounds incredible, right? That was the general consensus when random

Nawab Alivardi Khan with grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah This Day in History. A popular phrase among history buffs, who take great pleasure in

In this 2-part series, GB brings you the inaugural Poush Mela of Santiniketan on 7th Poush 1892 p>Poush Mela is synonymous

In this 2-part series, GB brings you the inaugural Poush Mela of Santiniketan on 7th Poush 1892 The history of Poush

St Paul’s Parish - Kurseong In this season of Christmas, GB goes through historical data to trace how Christianity dawned in

St. Theresa Church - Kalimpong In this season of Christmas, GB goes through historical data to trace how Christianity dawned in

St. Jude Catholic Church In this season of Christmas, GB goes through historical data to trace how Christianity dawned in North

In this season of Christmas, GB goes through historical data to trace how Christianity dawned in North Bengal. Was it

When we talk about churches of Bengal, we are always drawn towards the well-known St Paul’s Cathedral or the St

This year marks the birth centenary of legendary film director, author, music composer, illustrator Satyajit Ray. One of the giants

While we speak of various European churches strewn across different parts of Bengal that speak of our colonial history, we

In this 3-part series, GB brings a fascinating tale of Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestors, the Pirali Brahmins and how they descended

Part 4: Did laying of Railways lead to Bengal’s Agricultural Decline? Historians have argued that one of the reasons for the

Kalighat Temple Kolkata One of the primary dimensions of religious expression the world over, is erection of sacred or holy places

Part 2: Jugalkishore, the dashing feudal lord of Bengal who did not look like a Bengali Jugalkishore, the young, dashing feudal

In this series GB brings to readers influence of various geographical locations and homes in the life of Nobel Prize

Kolkata boasts several museums, but none of them center specifically around music. What better way to fill this gap than

Shahanshah Mirza is great-great grandson of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and a heritage enthusiast in his own rights Even if the

A few weeks ago, we had told you about the ghosts of Garden Reach, one among Kolkata’s many historically haunted

Namak Haram Deorhi On July 2, a little over a week after the Battle of Plassey in 1757, at the age

There’s a reason why Jagannath Ghat in Kolkata is called what it is. Practically at the base of Howrah Bridge,

Walking or driving through Kolkata’s BBD Bagh area, the magnificent General Post Office (GPO) building is hard to miss. It

Technically, today is the day the world celebrates the birthday of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two known

“Malik ke giye bol Khoka esechhe (go tell the owner Khoka is here)”. With the release of Srijit Mukherji’s film

Sibtainbad Imambara. Not a very familiar name even in its native Kolkata, leave alone the rest of India, which is unusual

This is a story that goes back more than 20 years. With no satisfactory ending in sight as of now.

Hastings Chapel Driving down to Hastings from the Rabindra Sadan end, you will encounter a curious statue of an unidentified, undated,

It really looks extraordinary. The Brooke Swan Car that once upon a time drove down the crowded streets of Calcutta.

‘Aranyak’ is a name that the average Bengali reader recognises almost instantly as the title of an iconic novel by

For anyone who has been to Darjeeling, the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre (TRSHC) is usually on the list of must

Under British rule, Calcutta grew into a thriving metropolis. From the late 18th century, social and cultural activities in Calcutta

Over one million serving, 62,000 dead and another 67,000 wounded, total dead at the end of the day: at least

Johan Joseph Zoffany was a famed German painter, whose clients included several members of the Austrian and British royal families,

Atiśa Dīpankara Śrījñāna, (982–1054) , the renowned  Buddhist religious leader and master from Bengal was one of the major figures

We talk of Terracotta Temples of Bengal, but hardly ever speak of the Terracotta Mosques, the hidden architectural treasure of

Edward VII, Victoria Memorial Entrance Gate   Indranil Halder is an entrepreneur living in Australia who is enthusiastic about preserving the heritage

Indranil Halder is an entrepreneur based in Australia, who is passionate about Bengal Rush of royal cars roaring down the streets,

The Birbhum zamindari was created as a sort of military tenure by Murshid Kuli Khan, the Subedar of the province

Bengal's first marching song - 1911 Break time song for the army camp - 1911 The month of August has special significance

Sunanda Bose is an activist and member of Taki Zamindar Family. She is also a great story-teller and reminisces her

The 67th Everest Day (67th Anniversary of First Everest Ascent) and 106th birth anniversary of late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa was

Before the COVID 19 pandemic appeared on the face of the earth, who would have thought the name ‘Corona’ would

At a stone’s throw from Saktigarh station of East Burdwan lies Barshool village, home to the erstwhile zamindars of the

Dreams have only one owner at a time That’s why dreamers are lonely – Erma Bombeck This is so true for

“In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage to know who we are and where

A dilapidated structure stands as testimony of a rich and glorious past of Bengal with the ruins of a grand

‘No one lights a lamp in order to hide it behind the door: The purpose of light is to create more

Every year, a day after the festival of lights Diwali, Kayasthas celebrate Chitragupta puja or Kalam-Dawaat puja. Devotees believe this

Chau, the unique acrobatic martial dance form of Purulia is a unique treasure of Bengal. The vigorous movements, martial art,

Well, it all began in the first year of our marriage when I realised my husband is being royally ignored

If your child has been enamoured by the Trick or Treat games of Halloween and loved that Pumpkin carving, we

Isn’t it amazing that out of the many severed body parts of Goddess Sati, almost 13 fell in West Bengal

Well, it all began in the first year of our marriage, when I realised my husband is being royally ignored

Well-known singer Manoj Murali Nair in an exclusive interview, tells GB why and how he celebrates Boshonto Utsav in Kolkata

Priyanka Yoshikawa Ghosh looks a perfect Japanse girl, demure, intelligent, soft spoken and delicate. Being the first Miss Japan from

Maa Kali is the “Dark Mother”. The name Kali means: She, who is Beyond Time and simultaneously portrayed as the

We are committed to tell the faded and lost story of our own gharana which battled its way forward from