Kolkata

Kolkata, also known by its colonial name Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges, and forms the center of the Kolkata metropolitan area, one of the largest urban agglomerations in eastern India.

Founded in the late 17th century as a settlement by the British East India Company, Kolkata grew from the villages of Kalikata, Gobindapur, and Sutanuti into the capital of the Bengal Presidency in 1773. It remained the imperial seat and a major commercial hub until 1911, when the capital moved to New Delhi. The city experienced significant demographic and cultural changes during the colonial and postcolonial periods.

The city has a tropical climate with hot summers, a monsoon season, and mild winters. Bengali is the predominant language, with English widely used in education, administration, and business, and Hindi spoken by immigrant communities.

Kolkata has a diversified economy anchored in services, education, and tourism. The city hosts major universities and cultural institutions, including the University of Calcutta, Indian Museum, and Victoria Memorial. It remains a major center for finance, IT services, and traditional crafts.

Kolkata is known for its literary, theatrical, and artistic heritage. It hosts Durga Puja celebrations, historic theatres, and museums. Notable landmarks include Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Kalighat Temple, Dakshineswar Kali Temple, and Belur Math, alongside the Howrah and Sealdah railway stations.

Transportation includes the Howrah Station railway complex, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, a city-wide tram network, and the Kolkata Metro. The Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge) connects the city to Howrah across the Hooghly River.