Metcalfe Hall

The Metcalfe Hall is an ancient heritage structure which is in the state of West Bengal in Kolkata city. It is located at strand road as well as the Hare Street which is in the center of the main city. The buildings architecture depicts the British imperial style of the nineteenth century beginning. Its construction was done in the period of 1840 till 1844 as per the city magistrate’s designs, C.K Robinson who was named on the name of Charles T. Metcalfe. He was the governor general of India due to which the name of the Hall came into existence. In order to honor his efforts of free press the name was kept. The face of the building is towards the west of the Hooghly River.

This Greek and classical building was originally the house of the Agri-Horticultural Society of India till the year 1902. However later on before they moved to the Belvedere, it became the Imperial Library. Due to the presence of tree which surrounds the building, it becomes difficult to look at the building with a clear view.

History

The Matcalfe Hall got its name in the memory of Lord Matcalfe in order to impart and erect his memory. He was the official Governor-General of India for the period of one year that is March 1835 till March 1836. Originally the concept of the hall was to make it a public library. But later on it became an imperial library.

Architecture

C.K Robinson was the architect of the building. The idea of the architect was from the Towers of the Winds in Athens which is one amongst the tested designs reflecting light and durability. The foundation of the building is done on solid basements along with strong pillars which were very huge pillars of Corinthian. Massive Entablature was supported by it. The building was covered by the colonnade and the columns. The west entrance had a flight of stairs which has now been closed. Now the building has been accessed from the east by the portico.

The building was two-storey having five halls. In the earlier days it was a public library till Lord Metcalfe transferred a number of 4675 volumes from the college library of Fort William. The collection was the main part of the library which was very nice. The first proprietor was Dwarkanath Tagore was of the Calcutta public library. At present there are foreign journals along with manuscripts of Asiatic society on the ground floor of the building whereas there are exhibition galleries and various sales counters on the first floor kept by Archaeological survey of India. The library was amongst the most popular libraries of those times and Lord Curzon inaugurated the library in the year 1930, January 30.

Kolkata is a very big city with a huge population. It has been very famous for its various architectural and religious places and festivals for the tourist’s attraction and therefore it has a very system and facility for the transport. All the routes trains, flights, buses and even metro are available easily for the convenience of the visitors which are described as below:

By Air

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport is in Kolkata which is a very airport and almost all the major flights are connected with the airport of various cities and countries all over the world. A taxi or a tourist guide could be hired to reach the Matcalfe hall which can be reached within minimum duration of time.

By Rail

There are two railway stations namely Howrah and Sealdah in Kolkata which are very well linked and connected to several parts of the world. All the major routes trains are easily available from and to the city. Matcalfe hall is not very far from the railway station. Reservations can also be done online.

There is also the facility of metro trains for the convenience of the tourists which are very less in fares and takes less time to reach at various places in short durations.

By Road

The roads in Kolkata are in very good conditions which make travel easy and the private as well as state buses are available to travel in the city with very low cost.

Photo Gallery