A treasure trove of Kolkata’s heritage

Victoria Memorial, the masterpiece of marble stands like a vision of serenity on Strand Road, Kolkata. Though the monument has been an emblem of pride for the city, it was built by Lord Curzon in memory of the late Queen Victoria, the first Empress of British India.

After the colonizers left, this memorial was transformed into the most fascinating museum with genuine artefacts that once belonged to the Queen. Apart from her personal belongings, the museum also hosts paintings, original manuscripts, and memorabilia. The sheer luxury and opulence that drips from within the museum is breathtaking. One can walk from galleries to halls and spend hours learning about the richness and the opulence that the royalty enjoyed. After Independence, the Government included new halls in the museum which showcased the struggle of Indian freedom fighters, the injustice of the colonizers and many more stories of the local prince and princely states.

The sprawling greens that lay in front of Victoria Memorial is a sight to behold. It has intricately-manicured lawns, flower beds and sculptures, where one can spend hours during the sunny wintry morning and enjoy a slice of peace in the middle of a buzzing town.

Victoria Memorial is good for a great day out with family and friends. So, if you are thinking of soaking in every bit of the monument, we suggest you begin early and take your own sweet time to enjoy a blend of British royalty and the brave Indian life.

Crowning Kolkata’s jewel

It all began in the year 1901 when Lord Curzon, Viceroy of British India decided to build a state memorial for the deceased Queen Victoria. The expense to build this vision in white was a staggering 1,05,00,000 Indian Rupees. The funds were extracted from the treasuries of princes of native states. A minuscule amount of the cost was borne by the British government in London.

Royal confluence of culture and architecture

After the project was sanctioned, selecting the main designer and creator was the crucial task. Royal Institute of British Architects was the chosen firm and its President William Emerson was put to task. The shimmering white Makrana marble was exclusively bought from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India. The architecture of the heritage monument was chosen to be in Indo- Saracenic revivalist style with whiffs of Egyptian, Venetian, Deccan and Islamic elements.

The part of Victoria Memorial that makes it recognizable from kilometres away or even from the air is the ‘Angel of Victory’ placed on top of the central dome. Around the dome there are four metaphorical structures that depict Art, Architecture, Justice and Charity. The front porch also has three representative structures of Motherhood, Learning and Prudence. As tourists weave their way through the grand entrance, they find two intricately carved, imposing marble lion statues that have an aura of might and power. Further, along the tour, the bronze statue of the Queen Empress stands at the main entrance of the garden grounds.

Timings

Opening time - 10:00 AM

Closing time - 05:00 PM (Tuesday – Sunday )

Roaming in the bygone time

Victoria Memorial isn’t just any museum. It is a multiverse of galleries, halls, open spaces and convention areas. One can visit the Portrait Gallery, the National Leader’s Gallery, the Sculpture Gallery, Queens Hall Gallery, the Arms and Armoury Gallery, and Calcutta Gallery. If all the artefacts were to be counted, the number would be an unimaginable 30,000 units. But artefacts and paintings are not the only collections that the museum proudly exhibits. There’s a large treasure chest of books with writers like William Shakespeare, collections on Kathak dance and even books on thumri music by Wajid Ali Shah. You will find Rubaiyat by Ommar Khayyum and The Arabian Nights. It also houses the illustrated manuscript copy of Ain-i-Akbari by famed Persian writer, Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak who was a court historian of Emperor Akbar.

Framed for eternity

The royal gallery is decorated with life size oil paintings of scenes from the Queen’s life. You will find snippets captured in canvas of the holy sacrament during her coronation at Westminster Abbey, her wedding day, the celebration of her Jubilee services at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. One should not miss the glorious art of Prince of Wales’ state entry in Jaipur in 1876 by Russian artist Vassilli Verestchagin.

The Portrait Gallery flaunts eye-striking works of art depicting famous personalities and the Durbar Hall is a universe that is lit up with paintings on cultural heritage and life in both Britain and India. The museum also shelters two cannons from the Battle of Plassey, Tipu Sultan’s dagger and even his notebook of artillery. A few other artefacts were sent from London to display at the Queens Hall Gallery like her writing desk from Windsor Castle, her chair and her rosewood pianoforte.

A fight to remember

While the museum was built to commemorate Queen Victoria and her reign, as time flowed and the colonizers left many more sections were added. One such area was the National Leader’s Gallery. It has a riveting display of portraits and scenes from the various freedom fights, the brave leaders and their impact on Independence.

When the city was born

On the 300th anniversary of Calcutta, a new segment called the Calcutta Gallery was opened to the visitors. It is a visual ride from the times of Job Charnok, who came, conquered 3 villages, sowed the seed of the city’s blueprint to the significant developments that have gripped Kolkata through years.

An evergreen beauty to remember

It is a green carpet of 64 acres dotted with manicured lawns, flowers of all colours and seasons, pools and fountains. People flock to see the bronze statue of Victoria seated on the throne wearing the order of the Star of India. The garden even has other sculptures of people like Charles Cornwallis (1st Marquess of Cornwallis), Robert Clive, James Broun Ramsay (1st Marquess of Dalhousie) and Arthur Wellesley. The marble statue of Lord Curzon is at the entrance of the hall. Other statues in the garden are of Lord William Bentinck, Governor General of India George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon and governor-general of India and Rajendra Nath Mookherjee, a famed industrialist of Bengal.

Caught for the senses

One of the most poetic and visually enthralling attractions at Victoria Memorial is the striking light and sound show called the Son-et-Lumiere. During the show, the memorial building is painted in colours which makes tourists gasp with wonder.

Circling the wonder in white

Overlooking the pristine silhouette of Victoria Memorial is Maidan. Lush, green and sprawling, it is an oasis of calm in the middle of city madness. A few steps away is the iconic Indian Museum which has carefully curated and preserved collections of artifacts spanning centuries of Indian history and culture. You can also take a walk on College Street, the famous Book Market, which is every book lover’s paradise. Another interesting place to visit is the Birla Planetarium. It has the most captivating astronomical shows, educational exhibits, and immersive experiences, making it a go-to destination for enthusiasts. Together, these attractions complement the grandeur of Victoria Memorial, inviting visitors to explore Kolkata's dynamic blend of past and present.