Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as ‘Calcutta’, is the capital of West Bengal, and the former capital (1772–1911) of British India. The city is centred on the east bank of the Hooghly River, about 96 miles (154 km) upstream from the head of the Bay of Bengal. A city of commerce, transport, and manufacture, Kolkata is the dominant urban centre of Eastern India.

Fashioned by the colonial British in the manner of a grand European capital, Kolkata has had to assimilate strong European influences and overcome the limitations of its colonial legacy in order to find its own unique identity.

Kolkata is a cosmopolitan city: More than four-fifths of the population is Hindu. Muslims and Christians constitute the largest minorities, but there are some Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. The dominant language is Bengali, but Urdu, Oriya, Tamil, Punjabi, and other languages also are spoken.

Kolkata’s position as one of India’s pre-eminent economic centres is rooted in its manufacturing industries, its financial and trade activities, and its role as a major port; it is also a major centre for printing, publishing, and newspaper circulation, as well as, for recreation and entertainment. The city is quite frequently referred to as the ‘Cultural Capital of India’. Among the products of Kolkata’s hinterland have been coal, iron, manganese, mica, petroleum, tea, and jute.

For all we know, there seems to be some surprising facts which very few people know about, yet they represent something to be proud of. Given below are a few lesser known facts about Kolkata

1. The Largest Tree in The World
   The Great Banyan Tree at Botanical Gardens, Kolkata, is over 250 years old.

2. The Oldest Zoo In The Country
   The Alipore Zoo is literally the oldest zoo in the country, entertaining everyone since 1875!

3. The Oldest Polo Club in The World
   The world’s first Polo club was established by the British in Calcutta in 1858.

4. Second Oldest Cricket & Football Club
   In terms of the seating area, Eden Gardens is the third largest cricket ground in the world.
   The Calcutta Cricket and Football Club is the second oldest cricket and football club in the world, after the most popular MCC.
   Calcutta Football League is the oldest football championship held in the country since 1898 and second oldest in the world.
   Salt Lake Stadium is the second largest football ground in the world in terms of the seating area.

5. Largest Second-Hand Book Market
   The city houses the country’s largest second-hand book market and world’s second largest. Also, The National Library is the country’s largest and oldest public library.

6. Largest Planetarium in Asia
   Kolkata has always promoted science and technology, and houses Asia’s largest planetarium known as ‘Birla Planetarium’ which also happens to be the second largest in the world.

7. Oldest and The Only Riverine Port
   The country’s only riverine port is at Hooghly called the Khidderpore Port which also happens to be the oldest port in India.

   Kolkata, formerly known as ‘Calcutta’, is the capital of West Bengal, and the former capital (1772–1911) of British India. The city is centred on the east bank of the Hooghly River, about 96 miles (154 km) upstream from the head of the Bay of Bengal. A city of commerce, transport, and manufacture, Kolkata is the dominant urban centre of Eastern India.

   Fashioned by the colonial British in the manner of a grand European capital, Kolkata has had to assimilate strong European influences and overcome the limitations of its colonial legacy in order to find its own unique identity.

   Kolkata is a cosmopolitan city: More than four-fifths of the population is Hindu. Muslims and Christians constitute the largest minorities, but there are some Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. The dominant language is Bengali, but Urdu, Oriya, Tamil, Punjabi, and other languages also are spoken.

   Kolkata’s position as one of India’s pre-eminent economic centres is rooted in its manufacturing industries, its financial and trade activities, and its role as a major port; it is also a major centre for printing, publishing, and newspaper circulation, as well as, for recreation and entertainment. The city is quite frequently referred to as the ‘Cultural Capital of India’. Among the products of Kolkata’s hinterland have been coal, iron, manganese, mica, petroleum, tea, and jute.

   For all we know, there seems to be some surprising facts which very few people know about, yet they represent something to be proud of. Given below are a few lesser known facts about Kolkata

   1. The Largest Tree in The World
      The Great Banyan Tree at Botanical Gardens, Kolkata, is over 250 years old.
   2. The Oldest Zoo In The Country
      The Alipore Zoo is literally the oldest zoo in the country, entertaining everyone since 1875!
   3. The Oldest Polo Club in The World
      The world’s first Polo club was established by the British in Calcutta in 1858.
   4. Second Oldest Cricket & Football Club
      In terms of the seating area, Eden Gardens is the third largest cricket ground in the world.
      The Calcutta Cricket and Football Club is the second oldest cricket and football club in the world, after the most popular MCC.
      Calcutta Football League is the oldest football championship held in the country since 1898 and second oldest in the world.
      Salt Lake Stadium is the second largest football ground in the world in terms of the seating area.
   5. Largest Second-Hand Book Market
      The city houses the country’s largest second-hand book market and world’s second largest. Also, The National Library is the country’s largest and oldest public library.
   6. Largest Planetarium in Asia
      Kolkata has always promoted science and technology, and houses Asia’s largest planetarium known as ‘Birla Planetarium’ which also happens to be the second largest in the world.
   7. Oldest and The Only Riverine Port
      The country’s only riverine port is at Hooghly called the Khidderpore Port which also happens to be the oldest port in India.