When we discuss the architecture of Bengal, a blend of ancient and ancient urban architecture comes to our mind. West Bengal’s architecture is a rich combination of a variety of elements influenced by a number of western as well as middle-eastern countries that invaded and reigned over Bengal from time to time. Many of the buildings exhibit the influence of religion and rural vernacular.
St. John’s Church
| A great example of Neoclassical architecture is the St. John’s Church with a shape of a large quadrangle. The East India Company designed the St. John’s Church which was originally a cathedral. It was built after Calcutta (now Kolkata) became the official capital of British India by Warren Hastings on 6 April 1784. The design was laid by architect James Agg who conceptualised the structure as a combination of brick and stone. The stones were gathered from the medieval ruins of Gour and shipped down the Hooghly River. The construction stands as a 176 ft tall stone spire that holds a large clock. |
Jorasanko Thakurbari
| Renovated and maintained as a museum, the Jorasanko Thakurbari was home to the greatest poet of all times in Indian literature, Rabindranath Tagore. The gorgeous structure was built by DwarakanathTagore in the 18th century and was named after two ‘Shankar’ or Shiva temples, called Jora Shankar, found near the house itself. The rounded verandahs of the house were constructed to make it easier for those residing in it to watch programs staged in the center of the house, called Natya Mancha. Thakurbari was renovated into a center for Indian Classical Fine Arts with an impressive museum, known as the Rabindra Bharati Museum, founded in 1961. |
Rasmancha
| The heritage building of Rasmancha is a complex blend of architecture inspired by Bengali huts in the middle section and Islamic architecture in its arches of the 16th century Bengal. It is located at Bishnupur and was sanctioned by Mallabhum king Hambir Malla Dev in 1600 CE. The 384 sq. metre temple resembles a pyramid in its upper part. All the Radha Krishna idols of Bishnupur are brought at the Rasmancha to be worshipped during the Ras festival. |
Char Bangla Temple
| ‘Four temples’ is what it translates to in English when we speak of the Char Bangla Temple built with a small courtyard in the middle by Rani Bhavani, the queen of Natore. The structure is a magnificent work that creates amazing shadow patterns with terracotta art carved on brick. Each temple is intricately decorated by ornamental brickwork and has 3 Shiva lingas. The temple displays combination of brick and plaster work that sings of the Hindu epics and Puranas. |
Hooghly Imambara
| A hall for worshippers of Islamic faith, the Imambara is also double-storied mosque that will make you admire intricate designs and the inscriptions with texts drawn from the holy Quran. Like all famous mosques, the Hoogly Imambara is adorned with marbles, candles and hanging lanterns to add to the glamorous interiors of the structure. Tiled floors with checkered patterns, a large Belgian glass chandelier and a large brass sundial will leave you spellbound and in full admiration of its beauty. The spiral staircases from each of the twin towers is another special feature of the structure. |
To be continued…
