The Victoria Memorial, located in Kolkata, India is a memorial of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who also carried the title of Empress of India. It currently serves as a museum and a tourist attraction.[1]
Victoria Memorial has been built in a sprawling 26 hectares of land. The memorial was designed by Sir William Emerson in an architectural style similar to Belfast City Hall. The work of construction was entrusted to Messrs Martin & Co. of Calcutta. Later, Mr. A. C. Mitra, Bengal Engineering and Science University-alumnus, was Engineer-in-Charge in the construction project of the Victoria.
White Makrana marbles were used in the construction of Victoria Memorial Hall and the building was inaugurated in the year 1921. The massive hall is 338 by 228 feet and rises to a height of 184 feet.
Built between 1906 and 1921, it is a majestic white marble building at the southern end of the Maidan and surrounded by a sprawling garden. A black bronze Angel of Victory, holding a bugle in her hand was placed at the summit of the dome above the Memorial. It used to rotate, which stopped in recent times. Victoria Memorial, built in the memory of Queen Victoria, is situated in Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal. The foundation stone of the memorial was laid down in the year 1906, by the ‘Prince of Wales’. Apart from being a memorial, the monument was intended to serve as a tribute to the success of the British Empire in India. Lord Curzon was the one who envisaged the main idea of the erection of the Victoria Memorial Hall, which was to serve as the architectural zenith of the Kolkata city.
The Victoria Memorial houses a museum, where one finds an amazing collection of the memorabilia of Victoria, paintings of British rule and other exhibits. The collection includes weapons, sculptors, paintings, maps, coins, stamps, artifacts, textiles, etc. The Royal gallery of the Victoria Memorial houses some splendid portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
There are three thousand five hundred mesmerizing articles associated with the everlasting memory of Queen Victoria. However, the most remarkable painting is the one made by the Russian artist, Vasily Vereshchagin. He has portrayed the scene of the state entry of Prince of Wales in Jaipur, in 1876. After India gained independence in the year 1947, certain additions were made to the Victoria Memorial. Of special importance are the Queen’s dresses, the famous Rosewood piano the Whispering Gallery in the dome and numerous artillery weapons used in the Battle of Plassey.
These additions comprised of National Leader’s Gallery, containing the portraits and relics of the freedom fighters. One must visit the memorial at night, when it is beautifully illuminated.
Facts of Victoria Memorial
- Location: Opposite to the Planetarium on the Southern side of Maidan.
- Famous as: Raj Era Monument.
- Time to visit: From March to October – 10.00 to 17.00 From November to February – 10.00 to 16.00 Sound & Light show – 7.15 to 8 P. M. Victoria Memorial is closed on Monday.
- Admission Fee: For Indians – INR. 10.00 For Foreigners – INR. 150.00
- How to reach: Local buses and taxis are available from various points of the city. One can also avail the Metro Rail and get down at Maidan. From Maidan one can hop into a local bus or hire a taxi.
- Photography charges: Photography is strictly prohibited.
- Nearest Railway Station: Howrah
- Nearest Metro Station: Maidan
- Time required for sight seeing: 2 hours
- Parking: Hourly parking charges applicable.
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