Best British Raj Tour Calcutta
Step back in time and explore Kolkata’s rich colonial heritage by visiting iconic landmarks that shaped the city’s history.
Discover the story of Job Charnock, regarded as the founder of British Kolkata, who in 1690 acquired the villages of Sutanuti, Gobindapur, and Kalikata from Bengal’s subedar, Azim Usman. Over the years, these villages transformed into the vibrant city that became the capital of the East India Company.
Join a cultural historian as they transport you centuries into the past, narrating the fascinating tale of Kolkata’s evolution under the East India Company and the British Empire.
British raj heritage walk price – Rs. 2500 Per Head
PLACES TO VISIT
Esplanade Mansions
The Esplanade Mansions, constructed in 1910 by the contractors Martin & Co., stand as one of the many prestigious properties in Calcutta once owned by Elias Ezra, a prominent Jewish business magnate. Renowned for his immense wealth and esteemed reputation, Ezra played a significant role in shaping the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Old Court House Street
Old Court House Street once stretched from Esplanade Row to Lal Bazaar, running along the eastern side of Dalhousie Square in Calcutta. The street began near one of the four ceremonial gateways of Government House, now known as Raj Bhavan, and extended to St. Andrew’s Kirk at its terminus in Lal Bazaar. Though the street’s name has changed over time, its rich history will be explored in this walking tour of the Dalhousie Square and Esplanade area.
Peliti’s restaurant
During the colonial era, anyone seeking a light snack and drink in the evening would head to Peliti’s Café, located opposite Raj Bhavan in the 1870s. The café’s founder, Italian chef Peliti, came to India as the personal cook of Viceroy Lord Mayo and decided to stay on. Although the café closed its doors in 1940, a remnant of its legacy remains tucked away in the urban landscape. Join us on this Heritage Walk of Kolkata to uncover the hidden story of Peliti’s Café.
Great Eastern Hotel
The Great Eastern Hotel, originally established between 1840 and 1841 by David Wilson as the Auckland Hotel, was once hailed as “The Jewel of the East” during its prime. Renamed the Great Eastern Hotel in 1915, it hosted numerous notable figures visiting the city. Join us on the Little London Walk to uncover the fascinating stories surrounding this iconic landmark.
Raj Bhawan or Governor’s house
Raj Bhavan, built between 1799 and 1803 during the tenure of Governor-General Marquis Wellesley, was modeled after Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, the ancestral home of Lord Curzon, who lived here as Viceroy exactly a century later. This grand three-story mansion features a central hall, curved corridors, and detached wings. It served as the residence of 23 Governors-General and Viceroys until the capital shifted to Delhi in 1912..
Staff quarters of Rajbhawan
The staff quarter also housed stables, which still has a relic of the yesteryears.
Spence’s Hotel
Spence’s Hotel, established in Kolkata in 1830 near the Government House, holds a notable place in history. Often described as the first hotel in Asia, India, or Kolkata, its exact distinction varies across sources. Though it no longer exists, the hotel gained literary fame in Jules Verne’s The Steam House, where it is featured as a lodging for the characters visiting Kolkata. Join us on this Heritage Walk of Kolkata to uncover the location of Spence’s Hotel and hear its fascinating story.
St. John’s Church
In December 1783, General Warren Hastings led a committee that resolved to build a new Presidency Church. Surprisingly, the project was funded not by the government but through a public lottery organized by society members. The land for the church, completed in 1784, was provided by Maharaja Nabo Kishen Bahadur. The church premises also house Job Charnock’s Mausoleum, the Second Rohilla War Memorial, and the infamous Black Hole monument.
Currency Building
Built in 1833 in the Italian style, characterized by semi-circular arches, this building originally belonged to Agra Bank before serving as the Office of Issue and Exchange of Government Currency. It later housed the Reserve Bank of India until 1937. Notable features include its grand wrought-iron gates, expansive brick arches, and intricately designed Venetian windows. The building’s arched roof is supported by iron joists, while the floors are finished with marble and Chunar sandstone.
St. Andrews church
St. Andrew’s Church, the only Scottish church in Kolkata, opened to the public in 1818. Its foundation stone was laid in 1815 by the Marquis of Hastings, who was then the Governor-General of Bengal.
Writer’s Building
Thomas Lyon built Writer’s Buildings in 1776 to house junior servants, or writers, of the East India Company, on behalf of Richard Barwell. The building gained its Greco-Roman style, including a central portico and exposed red brick, between 1879 and 1906. Statues sculpted by William Fredric Woodington were added in 1883. The Writer’s Building is a key highlight of our Little London Walk. On December 8, 1930, revolutionaries Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, and Dinesh Gupta, disguised in European attire and armed with revolvers, assassinated the brutal Inspector General of Police, Colonel N.S. Simpson. After independence, Dalhousie Square was renamed B.B.D. Bagh. The building once featured a large courtyard and seven blocks, with Minerva standing above the central portico.
General Post office (GPO)
The General Post Office, built in 1864 by B. Grenville, features a grand 220-foot dome and cost Rs 65,000 to construct. This historic building holds a piece of colonial history beneath its foundation.
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