Kolkata

Capital of the state of West Bengal, Kolkata rises from the banks of the River Hooghly and has historically been an important trade hub. The British East India Company chose the city precisely for this reason, and it served as the capital of India during the British Raj until 1911, after which the capital shifted to Delhi. The city’s wide boulevards and imposing public buildings stand as rarefied remnants of British colonialism. As the seat of 'Bengal Renaissance' during the British Raj, Kolkata produced many gurus such as Rabindranath Tagore. Master filmmaker Satyajit Ray is another notable figure who catapulted the city into the spotlight. This artistic legacy continues at venues like Nandan and Rabindra Sadan, which organize various events spanning music, art, literature, dance and film. Kolkata is also widely known for the amazing range of food, both fine dining and street food, on offer. Notable landmarks of the city include attractions like Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math, along with the busy New Market and Kumartuli, and the symbolic Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge.