West Bengal boasts a rich historical legacy and was home to such notable personalities as Rabindranath Tagore and Satyjit Ray, in addition to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Chandraketugarh’s 2500+ year old urban civilization makes for an interesting visit – known as Mohenjo-Daro of Bengal.
Temple of Ichai Ghosh
Temple of Ichai Ghosh can be found at Gourangapur in Paschim Bardhaman district and features an elaborate brick tower decorated with intricate ornamentation. Its inner sanctum lies below ground level.
Tradition dictates that Ichai Ghosh built this Deul in honour of Goddess Bhagabati; however, time has worn away at its ornamentation greatly and now serves as an important representation of Bengal’s rich architectural history. The Rekha-Deul represents this vital aspect of Bengal’s rich cultural legacy.
Hazarduari Palace
Hazarduari Palace stands within the Kila Nizamat campus and was constructed during Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah’s rule over Bihar, Orissa, and Bengal from 1824-1838. Designed by Duncan Macleod.
Its architectural grandeur is legendary; construction began on August 9, 1829 immediately following foundation stone laying and ended 100 days later with 100 real doors and another 500 fake ones to deter intruders.
Baro Shona Masjid
The Baro Shona Masjid (also referred to as the Great Golden Mosque) was constructed of brick and stone in 1526 and can be found half a kilometer south of Ramkeli and 12 km away from Malda. Also referred to as Baro Duari Mosque because of its twelve entrance doors – of which only eleven doors remain active today.
Alauddin Hussain Shah began the construction of this magnificent mosque, while his son Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah completed it. It stands as the largest mosque of Gaur-Lakhnauti and represents the pinnacle of Sultanate architecture in Bengal.
Clive House
Clive House stands on a mound along Rashtraguru Avenue and is one of Kolkata’s oldest structures, dating back to 17th-century construction. Also referred to as Dumdum House or Burra Kothi, Clive House features timeless architecture which oozes heritage charm.
Robert Clive used it as his country house following the Battle of Plassey. It had previously been owned by Nawab Alivardi Khan and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah before falling into their hands.
After independence, 20-25 East Bengal families moved in, still inhabiting its surrounding areas today. Unfortunately, due to lack of maintenance the house is in poor condition and currently remains abandoned.
Jor Bangla Temple
Jor Bangla Temple in Bishnupur is an exquisite monument that holds historical and cultural significance, serving as a popular tourist destination and study point. Tourists, students and those interested in art history visit frequently.
This temple was constructed using the traditional Bengal architecture chala style and features two conventional thatched huts connected by wooden posts, like two conventional thatched huts nested close together. Malla King Raghunath Singha constructed it sometime between 1655-1660 CE.
Pandua
Pandua makes an invaluable contribution to Hooghly district’s economy, with agriculture serving as its main means of livelihood for its inhabitants.
Place is also home to some of the finest structures constructed by Muslim rulers during their rule in Bengal Sultanate history. These structures represent its rich legacy.
Town was known for its diverse culture, where Muslims and Hindus co-existed peacefully; evidenced by Hindu temples being reused as parts of Islamic structures in the past.
Minar
West Bengal is home to numerous world-famous individuals such as Rabindranath Tagore, author of Asia’s first national anthem; Swami Vivekananda (founder of Vedanta philosophy); as well as its rich cultural traditions encompassing literature, music and art.
This monument was created to remember those who sacrificed themselves during the freedom movement, drawing inspiration from Egyptian, Syrian, and Turkish architecture – its pillars and bases reflect Egyptian style while its dome shows Syrian-Turkish influences.
Lukochuri Gateway
The Lukochuri Gateway, constructed by Bengal subedar Shah Shuja in 1655 in Mughal style, derives its name from an avid game of hide-and-seek played among his guardsmen at that time.
The gateway remains an iconic symbol of Mughal rule in India and is currently protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
West Bengal is an ideal place for history lovers, as well as wildlife enthusiasts, with Tiger, Leopards, Elephants and Gaur all being seen here.
Gour Malda
Gour Malda is a historical location that has seen multiple empires and civilizations come and go over its lifetime. Mentioned in Hindu Puranic texts, its region was first under Gupta Empire rule before later falling under Pala Dynasty control.
Santiniketan and Bolpur provide excellent opportunities to experience Baul music, a distinct folk tradition that showcases Bengal’s diverse cultural landscape.
