A street full of imagination

It’s a street that is so much more than just a thoroughfare – think of it as a cultural artery pulsating with literary fervour. The world’s largest book market – and Asia’s largest second-hand book locality - College Street, also known as Boi Para (which translates to “Book Town” in Bengali), is a vibrant and historic street in Central Kolkata, India. Spanning 900 meters, it stretches from Bidhan Sarani Road to Bowbazar, intersecting MG Road and Surya Sen Street. This iconic street is a melting pot of intellectual activity, bustling bookstores, and architectural marvels.

The first chapter

The name “College Street” traces back to the establishment of Hindu College in 1817 by David Hare. Starting off with 20 students, the college aimed to provide a liberal education to the children of the Hindu community. Under the governance of Lord Wellesley, who took charge of the construction of roads in the area, the street where the college stood took the name College Street. Prior to that it used to be known as the Great Arterial Road.

If it’s printed, it’s probably here

College Street boasts the title of being the biggest book market in the world. Visitors flock here like bees to honey, drawn by an extensive collection of books. From brand new editions and second hand finds to rare archives and even regular textbooks, it’s highly likely that any book ever printed would be found here.

Timings

Opening time - 10:00 AM

Closing time - 11:00 PM

Crème de la coffee

College Street also boasts of hosting another landmark icon - the Indian Coffee House. A rendezvous point for Kolkata’s intelligentsia for decades, here, over cups of coffee, ideas flow freely, debates ignite, and creativity thrives. When the aroma of freshly brewed coffee meets the scent of old books, intellectual discussions are bound to flow freely.

Stroll down history

As you stroll along College Street, admire the colonial-era buildings. The imposing structures house prestigious institutions like Presidency University and University of Calcutta and are striking architectural marvels.

College Street is a celebration of knowledge, ideas, and the sheer joy of exploration. Visit the street and lose yourself in its pages, one book at a time.