Metcalfe Hall - Kolkata
Metcalfe Hall is named after Charles Theophilus Metcalfe (born Jan 30, 1785, Kolkata, India and died Sept 5, 1846, Hampshire, England). An official of the East India Company, he served as the acting Governor-General of India in 1835-36.
To mark Metcalfe's actions towards freedom of the press, it was decided to set up a Public Library. Funds were sourced from the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the Calcutta Public Library and public subscription. The spot was then occupied by the 'Sailor's Home' which was shifted. Burn and Co. was contracted as the builder and the city magistrate, C.K. Robison, prepared the design. Construction started in 1840 and was completed in 1844. The notable Greek order of the architecture was inspired from the Tower of the Winds in Athens. Raised on a high plinth, thirty grand Corinthian pillars support a massive entablature. The building faces the Hooghly River on the west, which is the main entrance comprising a grand flight of stairs and a second access is through the portico on the east. Metcalfe Hall is a heritage building situated in the heart of the city's business district.
Initially, Metcalfe Hall housed the Agricultural and Horticultural Society and the Calcutta Public Library. Metcalfe, who had transferred a few thousand volumes from the library of the College of Fort William, had formed the nucleus of the library collection. These volumes as well as donations of books from many individuals formed the first collections of the library, which was created under private auspices. Dwarkanath Tagore was the first proprietor of the Calcutta Public Library, and Peary Chand Mittra its first librarian. The Calcutta Public Library was subsequently merged with collections of secretariat libraries, to form the Imperial Library, which was was opened to the public in January 1903. In 1925, the Imperial Library was relocated from Metcalfe Hall to Esplanade East, and post-independence, renamed the National Library.
Address: 12, Strand Rd, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001
Hours: Open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM except Monday and public holidays.
Entry Fee: 25.00 INR. per person.
Metcalfe Hall has now been turned into a modern day museum and it showcases the essence of Kolkata very well. It showcases Kolkata's eminent personalities, their works, achievements, the tradition and cultural heritage, the people of Kolkata are proud about.
All the photographs are taken by Aniruddha Pandey and all the rights are reserved. Photography done using mobile phone only as camera is not allowed and videography is strictly prohibited.
