Culture / History & Heritage
Buried Dutch cemetery of Chinsurah
The Dutch cemetery has well planned narrow walkways around the graves
75 years after Independence, can we stop promoting the Pingali Venkayya myt...
The first attempt at a national flag was made by Sister Nivedita
Can we still save our old buildings? If not, why not?
The KMC has identified 150 ‘extremely vulnerable’ buildings
North Kolkata and its Bangiya Sahitya Parishat
Acharya Ramendrasundar Trivedi was the main influence behind the setting up of Bangiya Sahitya Parishat Library
Unique heritage walks: Destination Serampore Radhaballav and Madanmohun tem...
An ‘Aatchala’ Radhaballav Temple was built on the banks of Ganga River around 1677 by Rudraram Pundi
Moral policing to financial fraud, Bengal’s ‘pioneers’ who showed the...
The earliest case of white collar crime in Bengal dates back to 1904
When Diana and Emulous floated on the Hooghly; the steam ships of British B...
The Diana was a modest 32 horsepower vessel sent on trial voyages in the waterways of East Bengal
Novel 'Heritage Walk': Destination Serampore Henry Martin Pagoda
A Heritage Photo Walk is an attempt to trace the colonial practices
On India’s Flag Adoption Day, acknowledging the tricolour’s debt to Ben...
The Indian tricolour was adopted on this day in 1947
Bolpur’s Laxmi Janardan Temple demonstrates that an artist’s religion i...
The Sarkar family has handed over the restoration work of the temple to a group of Muslim artists from Murshidabad district
By TTW
The Ramcharit Manas manuscript that travelled from Mahisadal to Kolkata
The language of the manuscript is close to the Abadi Sanskrit dialect
By TTW
Bolpur Railway Station to get a world-class facelift
The Bolpur Railway Station already has a place to visit- the Gitanjali Rail Museum right opposite to the station
Going strong at 160, the rich heritage of Calcutta High Court
India’s oldest High Court is a storehouse of memories
End of an era as Chacha’s Hotel downs shutters
The restaurant was set up by Gosaidas Patra in 1875
By Siman Roy
How the ancient road to ‘Jagannath Dham’ served Bengal’s pilgrims
The pilgrims were numerous, despite the hardships
Bengal’s quilts are always red, why?
Feather-light 'lep' has been in use during winters in this subcontinent for hundreds of years
Nimtita Palace of Jalsaghar fame finally gets heritage tag
The almost 200-year-old palace has received the tag from West Bengal Heritage Commission
By TTW
Shibpur's centuries-old Roxburgh House to be restored
The project has been named as 'Roxburgh International Hub Project'
By TTW
Power of Museums: A Special celebration at Indian Museum
Museums uphold our glorious ethnographic heritage in the form of their collections
Raghu Dakat – how he turned a disciple of singer Ramprasad
A three-part series on the tales of famous dacoits of Bengal in the 18th and 19th century
By TTW
Raghu Dakat – why did a peasant’s son take up arms
A three-part series on the tales of famous dacoits of Bengal in the 18th and 19th century
By TTW
‘Hare re re re’ – noble and ignoble Dacoits of Bengal
A three-part series on the tales of famous dacoits of Bengal in the 18th and 19th century
By TTW
Old Danish Government House in Serampore ready for a fresh start
The newly renovated museum was inaugurated on April 8 in the presence of the Minister of State for Information and Culture and Tourism, Indranil Sen, and many more notable figures
Ancient monuments unearthed near the Sundarbans of Bangladesh
The site has been unearthed in Rezakpur village of Khulna
Indian Museum brings Rakhaldas Banerjee and his discoveries to public
To commemorate the 137th birth anniversary of Rakhaldas Banerji
Protecting one building at a time, the story of a pioneering top cop
In conversation with Soumen Mitra, former Commissioner of Police
How poet D.L. Roy fought for the farmers of Kajlagarh
D.L. Roy came to this place as the land settlement officer of the then Sujamutha division of Midnapore
By TTW
Bengal’s Ghutiari Sharif – where faiths and belief meet beyond religiou...
It is known for the mazaar (resting place) of Pir Ghazi Mubarak Ali, a revered 17th-century Muslim Saint
By TTW
The Real Rani – How Rani Rashmoni outwitted British East India Company
Her tactics left the officials of East India Company bewildered and rattled out of shock.
By TTW
Real Rani -- Rani Rashmoni merged philanthropy and business
She was a kind and generous lady who was loved by her subjects
By TTW
The Real Rani -- Rani Rashmoni’s husband taught her how to run a business...
Rani Rashmoni was a fast learner and could easily pick up the. Business tricks
By TTW
The Real Rani -- Rani Rashmoni, one of the first female entrepreneurs of In...
She came, she saw and she conquered the oppressive system during her time
By TTW
The man who ‘found’ Mohenjo Daro 100 years ago did many other things to...
RD Banerji began digging at Mohenjo Daro in 1922
What is topsy-turvy about Ultadanga?
Ultadanga is an important locality in the metropolis of Kolkata
By TTW
Tipu Sultan and Tollygunge – Where do the two T’s meet?
Tollygunge derived its moniker from a colonel in the British Army named William Tolly
By TTW
Over three centuries after his death, Job Charnock still an enigma
Relatively little is known about Charnock the man
How Lord Bentinck helped in Birth & Growth of Darjeeling
Darjeeling was first acquired as a military outpost and sanatorium since it offered strategic advantages
By TTW
The bus route between Calcutta and England that crossed 150 borders!
It is considered to be the longest bus route in the world till date.
When Maratha Bargis could have taken Calcutta, but didn’t
Through the 1740s and 50s, Bengal was terrorised by Bargis
Eden Gardens: A gift of love for Kolkata by three British siblings
Eden Gardens is third largest cricket stadium in the world
By Shuvra Dey
Zamor, the slave boy from Bengal played a major role in bringing down Basti...
How he got inducted in the court of French Royalty
Looking back at the first Poush Mela of Santiniketan
Santiniketan’s poush mela has now turned into an annual pilgrimage for many
Looking back at first Poush Mela: Maharshi Debendranath’s vision
Poush Mela charted a new course of interacting with rural people and tribal folks living in villages around Santiniketan
Dawn of Christianity in North Bengal: Church that got its name even before ...
This Parish was named after the first Archbishop of Calcutta, Msgr Paul Goethals
By TTW
Dawn of Christianity in North Bengal and influence of Tibetan craftsmen on ...
From Belgian Jesuits to Tibetan craftsmen, the melting pot of North Bengal Christianity
By TTW
Dawn of Christianity in North Bengal and role of Canadian Jesuits
Belgian and Canadian Jesuits were instrumental in helping establish the Christian community in North Bengal
By TTW
Dawn of Christianity in North Bengal and Darjeeling
Some of Darjeeling's churches were used by the British army for their religious needs
By TTW
Dawn of Christianity in North Bengal and its historical churches
In February 1896, Dores Alanzo Robinson became the first Adventist to enter the territory of North Bengal
By TTW
Palsit railway station, where the iconic ‘Pather Panchali’ was shot
Palsit railway station, on the Howrah–Burdwan main line, is operated by Eastern Railway
By Shuvra Dey
Did you know India’s 2nd Largest Church stands in Raigunj of Bengal?
St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral is popularly known as the Raiganj Church.
The simple philanthropic life of Khan Jahan Ali
A large number of Hindus converted to Islam, being attracted by the humanitarian work of Khan Jahan Ali
By TTW
Chugging tales of Bengal Railways: Was Bengal’s Agricultural Decline rela...
GB goes through historical data to trace the various railway tracts laid in Bengal during British India in this fourth out of the 6-part series
By TTW
Hindu son of Siraj-ud-daullah: Is Satyajit Ray’s grandfather a descendant...
GB goes through historical data to trace the family of the last independent Nawab of Bengal in this and final part out of the 5-part series
By TTW
Chugging tales of Bengal Railways: Eastern Bengal Railway and Chalan Beel
GB goes through historical data to trace the various railway tracts laid in Bengal during British India in this third out of the 6-part series
By TTW
Story of Dhaka University – The Museum of Bhasha Andolan
In this 3-episode series, GB delves into the past and present of Dhaka University, which has remained a historical landmark for the struggle for freedom
Hindu son of Siraj-ud-daullah: Freedom fighter Grandson relocates to Shillo...
GB goes through historical data to trace the family of the last independent Nawab of Bengal in this fourth out of the 5-part series
By TTW
Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali, the crusader who changed South Bengal
The well-known 15th-century Sufi saint and ruler who promoted the spread of Islam in Bengal.
By TTW
New NATMO Monograph on Bengal’s Shaktipeeths to promote pilgrimage touris...
Bengal will soon have a detailed map to promote tourism along the Shaktipeeth trail
Kolkata Police rewarded for keeping city heritage safe
Many of the buildings belonging to the force are heritage structures
Chugging tales of Bengal Railways: Problems faced in track laying
GB goes through historical data to trace the various railway tracts laid in Bengal during British India in this second out of the 6-part series
By TTW
Hindu son of Siraj-ud-daullah: Gouripur Estate of Myemenshingha
GB goes through historical data to trace the family of the last independent Nawab of Bengal in this 3rd out of 5-part series
By TTW
Chugging tales of Bengal Railways, the first track of British India
GB goes through historical data to trace the various railway tracts laid in Bengal during British India in this first out of the 6-part series
By TTW
Story of Dhaka University – Formed in aftermath of Bengal Partition of 19...
The University of Dhaka opened its doors on July 1, 1921, with Mr P. J. Hartog as its first Vice-Chancellor
By TTW
Hindu son of Siraj-ud-daullah: Jugalkishore, the dashing feudal lord
GB goes through historical data to trace the family of the last independent Nawab of Bengal in this 2nd out of 5-part series
By TTW
Story of Dhaka University – The voice for the oppressed
Dhaka University has been a hotspot of revolutionaries and demonstrators since its inception
By TTW
Did you know a Muslim, Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali started the line of Pirali Bra...
The Tagore family line descended from one such Pirali family
By TTW
Hindu son of Siraj ud-daula, where are his descendants now?
GB goes through historical data to trace the family of the last independent Nawab of Bengal in this 1st out of 5-part series
By TTW
The Turk ruler of Bengal who learnt Sanskrit and worshipped Ganga
Zafar Khan Ghazi - The harbinger of communal harmony in Bengal
By TTW
Amartya Sen’s nostalgia: Jagat Kutir, his home in Dhaka
Sen’s childhood across different geographies, culture and environment
By Saheli Mitra
Alexander Castle -- Where Rabindranath Tagore was invited by Muktagachha za...
The castle is also known as ‘Lohar Kuthi’ or ‘Rang Mahal’
By Shuvra Dey
Durgapur Aatbari’s complex architecture saved many freedom fighters from ...
The run-down ancestral mansion stands as a silent witness of its own glorious past
By TTW
Three Kolkata Restaurants get Heritage plaque – Mocambo, Kwality & Trinca...
With the newly bestowed Heritage Plaques, these three restaurants might turn into iconic puja hotspots this year
Jalpaiguri tops Bengal language list with a diversity of 98 dialects
The district is a shining example of unity despite the multiplicity of dialects spoken here
Will SD and RD's home truly become a museum?
Kolkata Municipal Corporation has plans to buy the property
Kolkata Blue Plaque, a drive to make heritage part of daily life
The scheme is modelled on the London Blue Plaque
Babu Baisnab Charan Adhya, the Bengali who played Othello
In 1848, Adhya made history at Sans Souci Theatre
How did Wajid Ali Shah bring his favourite sport Kite Flying to Kolkata?
Let the kites fly high today redefining your freedom
‘Pandu Rajar Dhipi’ – Bengal’s Chalcolithic site could be as old as...
An archaeological marvel signifying a rich heritage, it once ran parallel to the late Harappan era
Malda district throws up Buddhist wonder – in Jagjivanpur
Excavation at Jagjivanpur opens up the archaeological splendor of Bengal
By TTW
Kolkata Street with a Jewish Connect
The 350m long Ezra Street located in the heart of Kolkata is a testament of the city's vibrant Jewish history
By TTW
The Darjeeling Mail was run by bullocks!
During British era Darjeeling Mail had a bullock engine!
By Bapi Ghosh
Alipore, the posh Kolkata locality named after a ‘traitor’
A curious bit of history unknown to most modern Kolkatans
Jagannath Sadak, the ancient path to divinity
Once the only route from Calcutta to Puri, Jagannath Sadak is an integral part of Bengal and Odisha
Khejuri Post Office – India’s first post office
The birthplace of India’s First official Telegraph line connecting Calcutta-Khejuri and Diamond Harbour
June, the month of the ‘Black Hole tragedy’
Where Kolkata’s GPO stands today was where the Black Hole allegedly once stood
The man who made Mount Everest famous
Renowned mountaineer Debashis Biswas on why it is important to remember Tenzing Norgay
'Khoka’ then and now, Kolkata’s notorious Pagla Murder Case
What if the Khoka of celluloid were to have a real-life counterpart?
How Tagore was ‘stamped’ on the world
In the 160th year of his birth, here’s looking at stamps on Tagore
The Lucknow that Wajid Ali Shah built, in Kolkata
What happened to the ‘shadow kingdom’ that the Nawab built?
Why is Bishnupur not a UNESCO World Heritage site yet?
Experts are of the view that the sheer diversity of Bishnupur’s art and culture makes it worthy of the world heritage tag
The first biopic on Mujibur Rahman was made in Kolkata
GB brings this incredible tale on Bangobondhu’s birth anniversary
Kalyani - the town that carries Bidhan Roy’s scars of unrequited love
Declared a Smart City by the state government in 2014
Hastings, the neighbourhood that sums up Kolkata’s colonial past
From a Muslim burial ground to a ‘Coolie Bazar’ to a township for ordnance employees
By GM Kapur
Subhas vs Prof Oaten, an encounter that changed two lives
What happened to E.F. Oaten, the assault on whom caused Subhas Bose to be expelled from Presidency College?
Netaji sent written messages in bread slices through his attendant
The House in Kurseong where Netaji was interned
By Jayatri Nag
When Brooke’s Swan Cars cruised through the crowded streets of Kolkata
The car first arrived in Calcutta in 1910
Bibhuti Bhushan’s legacy under threat, family seeks help
The house is in imminent danger of collapse, thanks to large-scale construction work
Six decades after its birth, Bengal’s mini-Tibet shines bright
Darjeeling’s Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre is an example of self-reliance and cultural autonomy
By Indrajit Sen
Karnasuvarna: The first capital of independent Bengal was in Murshidabad
Visiting the ruins of Shashanka
Sans Souci Theatre of British Calcutta staged Shakespeare’s plays
Colonial influences on Kolkata’s culture
By Shuvra Dey
On Christmas Day, a glimpse of Bengal's old churches
Christianity came to Bengal in the 16th century, and brought with it some truly magnificent churches
Somebody else’s war: Indian soldiers in World War I
On Armed Forces Flag Day, we look back at Indians, particularly Bengalis, in the first great war
The Santipur Local
Martin Rail- tiny three-compartment trains on the narrow-gauge railroad tracks
By Rahul Haldar
The citizen heritage keepers of Kolkata
Since 1984, INTACH has been fighting to restore and conserve Kolkata and Bengal’s priceless history
Shantarakshita, Bengali Prince-turned-monk spread Buddhism even before Atis...
Tracing the history of spread of Buddhism in Tibet
We speak of Terracotta temples, but not of Terracotta mosques of Bengal! Hi...
Why and when were they built?
When statues speak! Bengal’s statues amalgamate colonial power and local ...
Statues add to the heritage pride of Bengal
Bengal’s Rani Bhavashankari, called Raibaghini by Akbar was no less than ...
She defeated Pathans and Mughals
Did you know Warren Hastings founded Digha and called it ‘Brighton of the...
The British were carried away by Digha’s pristine beaches and blue sea
From Vogue’s cover page to welcoming Hollywood star Ava Gardner, Cooch Be...
Bengal’s district of grandeur and opulence
Who were the Ghatwals of Bengal’s Amodpur? They saved us from Bargi attac...
The Ghatwal clan still lives in Birbhum
By Shuvra Dey
Bengalis who fought in World War I and the first ‘only Bengali’ British...
It was in August 1924 a monument was built by British in their memory
Century-old Nadia school with major contribution in Bangladesh Freedom Move...
Demand for ‘Heritage’ tag for ancient school
By Dipak Saha
Bijoy Singha – the prince of Bengal who went on to rule Sri Lanka!
How did a Bengali prince reach Srilanka?
As Sundarbans lies ravaged post Cyclone Amphan, GB traces history of this l...
From Bon bibi to Royal Bengal Tigers
By Sunanda Bose
67th Everest Day celebrated at Darjeeling’s Himalayan Mountaineering Inst...
HMI remembers Tenzing Norgay on his 106th Birth Anniversary
Century-old Corona Typewriter lies in Quarantine at Darjeeling
The typewriter is preserved in Sister Nivedita’s house
By Bapi Ghosh
Himadri Shankar Dey --- Lone crusader launches heritage museum
Shuvendu Mohan Dey Historical Museum of Barshool
Kolkata’s last bioscopewallah Md Salim to retire as smartphones take over...
How Salim kept a celluloid dream alive for generations
By Shuvra Dey
In search of roots --- how Partition uprooted Bengalis
Off to Barishal to relive memories
By Amit Sen
Victoria Park of Dhaka was witness to first war of Indian independence
Revisiting the checkered past of Old Dhaka
By Sreyon
The grand dilapidated Nimtita Palace where Satyajit Ray shot Jalshaghar
How can the palace be saved from floods?
Pratima Devi, unsung talent of Tagore household brought to limelight by Suj...
Did you know Rabindranath Tagore’s daughter-in-law was an author?
Purulia’s Chau makes a mark at Germany’s greatest festival
Chau dance has received UNESCO Heritage tag
Is Jamai Shashthi a misogynistic festival of Bengal?
Shameless display of money and pampering for the men only!
By Saheli Mitra
Bengal’s own Halloween: Bhoot Chaturdashi
Households in Bengal drive away evil forces in a scientific way!
Why so many Shakti Peeths are concentrated in Bengal?
GB visits Shakti Peeths of Bengal on eve of Kali Puja
Pampering the son-in-law: Bengal's Jamai Shashthi
Is this day a blatant show of male chauvinism?
By Saheli Mitra
Enjoy Santiniketan’s Boshonto Utsav in Kolkata today!
Singer Manoj Murali brings Spring’s rhythm to Kolkata
By Saheli Mitra
