Kolkata, the city of joy or the cultural center of India, offers unique stories on every alley one might explore. The city's history implies that it has seen significant changes and that it is continuously evolving, while some areas have remained unaffected.
Colonial Era: A city was found
The history of Kolkata dates back to the year 1690 with the arrival of the British East India Company and thereafter the formation of trade business in Bengal. Job Charnock, an administrator of East India Company is supposed to have discovered this city and was credited with its founding. Only in 2003 did the Calcutta High Court determine that the city did not have a founder. Since the beginning, there have been three major villages: Kalikata, Govindapur, and Sutanuti. Kalikata was a fishing village whereas Sutanuti was a riverside weavers’ village. Howell, an East India Company surgeon, was asked to divide the districts for the EIC's workmen's quarters separately. Suriparah (wine sellers), Collohtollah (oilmen), Chuttarparah (carpenters), Aheeritollah (cowherds), Coomartolly (potters), and so on were divided into quarters based on their occupation. As a result, each alley in Central Kolkata has a unique narrative to tell its tourists.
IS KOLKATA A PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY CITY?
To answer this question we have to walk through the city’s compatible yet unique lanes.
Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu is a cantilever bridge built on the bank of the river Hooghly. It helps in linking the cities of Howrah and Kolkata. It is the busiest and the sixth-longest cantilever bridge in the world. The main road of the bridge carries a daily traffic of approximately 1, 00,000 (1 Lakh) vehicles. The byline or the footbridge is well protected with wires and iron rods on both sides to safeguard the lives of 1, 50,000+ (1 Lakh 50 Thousand) pedestrians crossing the bridge daily.
Burrabazar or Bara Bazar (wholesale market) is a central-north Kolkata area. It is one of Kolkata's biggest wholesale marketplaces, with many merchants dealing in spices, textiles, electrical items, religious stalls, and food stalls settling here for commercial purposes. Though individuals are compelled to stroll along the walkway, their resentment is mitigated by tempting street delicacies along the alleys sideways. The area is famous among the non-Bengali community of Kolkata. Burrabazar hopping is ideal for those who can walk along the busy street and enjoy every bit of their shopping experience.
Kumortuli, also known as Coomartolly, is a potters' area in northern Kolkata. Kumortuli's lanes are 300 years old, and around 150 families reside there now. They make a living by making clay idols out of renewable materials. Apart from Durga Puja, the best time to visit this area is during the pre-Durga season, when artists begin shaping idols of Goddess Durga and other deities. The small passageways hold many stories. One can go for a walk and observe enchantment in the form of idol creation. Kumartuli can be entered from Banamali Sarkar Street in North Kolkata. The nearest metro station from Kumartuli is Sovabazar Sutanuti.
If the lanes of College Street aren't pedestrian-friendly, then no other site in Kolkata will ever be. College Street, also known as Boi Para, is a 900-meter-long street in central Kolkata. The street is lined with hundreds of book stores and stalls (Boi = Book, Para = Area) that sell both new and used books. The street is the epicenter of higher education in West Bengal, India. Its jewels include Calcutta University, Presidency University, Sanskrit College, and Hindu School. The Indian Coffee House, one of the most well-known cafés, is located directly across from the Presidency University and is a popular spot for amicable meetings (famously known as addas). People come here to spend leisure time with friends, and it is a popular hangout for bibliophiles. The nearest metro station from College Street is MG Metro.
The strolling tour around the street of the new market might make one go insane with the variety of things available at such low prices. Esplanade is a Central Kolkata neighborhood. People may practically spend a full day buying and eating at the many stalls. There are multiple metro station entrances to Esplanade metro, so choose the one that is nearest to you.
Maidan, also known as Brigade Parade Ground, is located in the center of Kolkata. It is referred to as the Lungs of Kolkata. People come here to spend leisure time with friends and family. The open area is filled with nature lovers, fitness freaks, and sports enthusiasts who visit the place to sit, laugh and play. Though people come here throughout the year, the ideal time to visit is during the winter season. The nearest metro station is Maidan Metro.
Park Street, also known as Mother Teresa Sarani, is a thoroughfare in downtown Kolkata. Park Street is one of Kolkata's affluent neighborhoods. This street bylane is home to numerous well-known pubs and cafés, including Starbucks, Hard Rock Café, and others. Every year, Kolkata's iconic Christmas festival takes place in Park Street's alley. The eco-friendly way to reach Park Street is via metro. The nearest station is named after the street itself.
Mullick Ghat Flower Market has been in operation for more than 130 years. It is one of the largest flower marketplaces in Asia. The market stretches down the riverbank and is located directly beneath the southeast end of the Howrah Bridge. It offers a breathtaking view with the Howrah Bridge towering above and is superb photographic content for all photographers out there. People come to see the thousands of gorgeous flowers. The smell is so relaxing that one may spend a long time here. Photographers adore this alley because it offers a lot of vibrant colors to work with. Though the market is open till late evening, the ideal time to visit the place is early morning when the flower vendors bring in fresh hand-picked flowers for sale.
Kolkata is the only Indian city to have a Chinatown (actually two towns). The Tiretti Bazaar is located in Central Kolkata near Lalbazar. The locality was once home to 20,000 ethnic Chinese Indian nationals. The number has gradually decreased as many have moved to Tangra (New Chinatown). A town is an ideal place for Chinese Cuisine lovers as the restaurants there offer authentic Chinese food. Some of the famous restaurants are Beijing, Kim Fa, Kafoluk, Golden Joy, and Kim Ling among others.
Not just these, but many more Kolkata alleys are pedestrian-friendly in their manner.
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