Maidan (Kolkata) - Revision history

Kamal Guha: /* Around the Maidan */ Quote box

2023-06-23T15:25:51Z

Around the Maidan: Quote box

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:55, 23 June 2023
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	==Around the Maidan==		==Around the Maidan==
	{{quote\|The oldest road on the Maidan is the Course, extending from the 'Cocked hat' in the north to the Khidirpur bridge. The 'broad gravelled walk' on the west side of that portion is the Red Road, constructed in 1820. To the south of the fort is the Ellenborough Course, meant for horse exercises, and towards the east is the Race Course, started in 1819. That was the scenario a century back. - '''HEA Cotton'''<ref name = "Cotton220"/>}}		{{quote box\|width=350px\|quote=The oldest road on the Maidan is the Course, extending from the 'Cocked hat' in the north to the Khidirpur bridge. The 'broad gravelled walk' on the west side of that portion is the Red Road, constructed in 1820. To the south of the fort is the Ellenborough Course, meant for horse exercises, and towards the east is the Race Course, started in 1819. That was the scenario a century back. - '''HEA Cotton'''<ref name = "Cotton220"/>}}

	[[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]] was built in 1803, the {{convert\|48\|m\|adj=on}} high [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument]] in 1848,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.kolkatainformation.com/calhert/sahid_minar.htm \| title = Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument)\| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| publisher = kolkatainformation.com}}</ref> the museum was started in the Asiatic Society in 1814 but shifted to the present site as the Indian Museum in 1887,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| title = Indian Museum Kolkata \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = indianmuseumkolkata.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061123151815/http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| archive-date = 23 November 2006 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] was built between 1839 and 1847, it was consecrated in 1874,<ref>{{cite web \| url =http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| title =Calcutta Sight Seeing \| access-date =2007-05-04 \| publisher =indiatravelite.com \| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070307010108/http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| archive-date =7 March 2007 \| url-status =dead }}</ref> and the Victoria Memorial was erected in 1921.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| title = The Official website of Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = victoriamemorial.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070519085614/http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| archive-date = 19 May 2007 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> On Council House Street, at one corner of the Maidan, was the long-defunct [[Fort William College]],<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., p. 271</ref> which played a pioneering role in the development of many of the Indian languages, particularly Bengali.		[[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]] was built in 1803, the {{convert\|48\|m\|adj=on}} high [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument]] in 1848,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.kolkatainformation.com/calhert/sahid_minar.htm \| title = Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument)\| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| publisher = kolkatainformation.com}}</ref> the museum was started in the Asiatic Society in 1814 but shifted to the present site as the Indian Museum in 1887,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| title = Indian Museum Kolkata \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = indianmuseumkolkata.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061123151815/http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| archive-date = 23 November 2006 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] was built between 1839 and 1847, it was consecrated in 1874,<ref>{{cite web \| url =http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| title =Calcutta Sight Seeing \| access-date =2007-05-04 \| publisher =indiatravelite.com \| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070307010108/http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| archive-date =7 March 2007 \| url-status =dead }}</ref> and the Victoria Memorial was erected in 1921.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| title = The Official website of Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = victoriamemorial.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070519085614/http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| archive-date = 19 May 2007 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> On Council House Street, at one corner of the Maidan, was the long-defunct [[Fort William College]],<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., p. 271</ref> which played a pioneering role in the development of many of the Indian languages, particularly Bengali.

Kamal Guha: /* Life on the Maidan */ Removed red link

2023-06-23T15:15:03Z

Life on the Maidan: Removed red link

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:45, 23 June 2023
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	==Life on the Maidan==		==Life on the Maidan==
	The world's oldest [[Field hockey\|hockey]] tournament, [[Beighton Cup]], was instituted in [[1895 ~~in sports\|1895]]~~ and is usually held on the [[Mohun Bagan Ground\|Mohun Bagan ground]] in the Maidan.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.bharatiyahockey.org/patjansen/beighton.htm \| title = Beighton Cup \| access-date = 2007-04-13 \| publisher =bharatiyahockey.org		The world's oldest [[Field hockey\|hockey]] tournament, [[Beighton Cup]], was instituted in 1895 and is usually held on the [[Mohun Bagan Ground\|Mohun Bagan ground]] in the Maidan.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.bharatiyahockey.org/patjansen/beighton.htm \| title = Beighton Cup \| access-date = 2007-04-13 \| publisher =bharatiyahockey.org
	}}</ref> For the [[Indian Football Association]], the Maidan has been the nerve centre.		}}</ref> For the [[Indian Football Association]], the Maidan has been the nerve centre.

Kamal Guha: /* Events */ Red link removed

2023-06-23T15:13:56Z

Events: Red link removed

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 23 June 2023
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	===Political rallies===		===Political rallies===
	Geoffrey Moorhouse in 1978 presents a vivid description of a [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI(M)) rally on the Maidan:		Geoffrey Moorhouse in 1978 presents a vivid description of a [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI(M)) rally on the Maidan:
	{{quote\|They generally start about tea time, they rarely finish before nine o’clock… they are masterly exhibitions of organisation… The platform is high so that everyone on it will be visible at a great distance, and it is large enough to accommodate twenty or thirty… it is illuminated with spotlights, it flutters with red flags, and it has huge red backcloth upon which Lenin is straining resolutely forward from a thicket of banners. Everything is perfectly under control… as they sit there upon the ground, row after attentive row of them, a brigade of young women to the fore… distantly across the Maidan people have climbed trees and others are packed standing on top of the Esplanade tram shelters… there must be a hundred thousand here altogether… the leaders come through the guard of honour to the platform…it is only when [[Promode Dasgupta]] and [[Hare Krishna Konar]] are having their say… theirs is the oratory that sends men delirious with dreams, that can set a rabble to a march of destruction… when the speeches are done, the leaders begin to sing the ~~[[Internationale]]…~~ all over the crowd torches are swiftly lit and held high in flaring salute…<ref>Moorhouse, Geoffrey, pp. 154-155</ref>}}		{{quote\|They generally start about tea time, they rarely finish before nine o’clock… they are masterly exhibitions of organisation… The platform is high so that everyone on it will be visible at a great distance, and it is large enough to accommodate twenty or thirty… it is illuminated with spotlights, it flutters with red flags, and it has huge red backcloth upon which Lenin is straining resolutely forward from a thicket of banners. Everything is perfectly under control… as they sit there upon the ground, row after attentive row of them, a brigade of young women to the fore… distantly across the Maidan people have climbed trees and others are packed standing on top of the Esplanade tram shelters… there must be a hundred thousand here altogether… the leaders come through the guard of honour to the platform…it is only when [[Promode Dasgupta]] and [[Hare Krishna Konar]] are having their say… theirs is the oratory that sends men delirious with dreams, that can set a rabble to a march of destruction… when the speeches are done, the leaders begin to sing the Internationale… all over the crowd torches are swiftly lit and held high in flaring salute…<ref>Moorhouse, Geoffrey, pp. 154-155</ref>}}

	===Book fair controversy===		===Book fair controversy===
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	\|archive-date=29 September 2007		\|archive-date=29 September 2007
	\|url-status=dead		\|url-status=dead
	}}</ref>}}		}}</ref>}}

	==Life on the Maidan==		==Life on the Maidan==

Kamal Guha: /* Around the Maidan */ Red links removed

2023-06-23T15:11:59Z

Around the Maidan: Red links removed

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 23 June 2023
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	==Around the Maidan==		==Around the Maidan==
	{{quote\|The oldest road on the Maidan is the Course, extending from the 'Cocked hat' in the north to the Khidirpur bridge. The 'broad gravelled walk' on the west side of that portion is the Red Road, constructed in 1820. To the south of the fort is the Ellenborough Course, meant for horse exercises, and towards the east is the Race Course, started in 1819. That was the scenario a century back.<ref name = "Cotton220"/>}}		{{quote\|The oldest road on the Maidan is the Course, extending from the 'Cocked hat' in the north to the Khidirpur bridge. The 'broad gravelled walk' on the west side of that portion is the Red Road, constructed in 1820. To the south of the fort is the Ellenborough Course, meant for horse exercises, and towards the east is the Race Course, started in 1819. That was the scenario a century back. - '''HEA Cotton'''<ref name = "Cotton220"/>}}

	[[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]] was built in 1803, the {{convert\|48\|m\|adj=on}} high [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument]] in 1848,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.kolkatainformation.com/calhert/sahid_minar.htm \| title = Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument)\| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| publisher = kolkatainformation.com}}</ref> the museum was started in the [[Asiatic Society]] in 1814 but shifted to the present site as the [[Indian Museum]] in 1887,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| title = Indian Museum Kolkata \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = indianmuseumkolkata.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061123151815/http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| archive-date = 23 November 2006 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] was built between 1839 and 1847, it was consecrated in 1874,<ref>{{cite web \| url =http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| title =Calcutta Sight Seeing \| access-date =2007-05-04 \| publisher =indiatravelite.com \| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070307010108/http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| archive-date =7 March 2007 \| url-status =dead }}</ref> and the [[Victoria Memorial ~~(India)\|Victoria Memorial]]~~ was erected in 1921.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| title = The Official website of Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = victoriamemorial.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070519085614/http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| archive-date = 19 May 2007 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> On Council House Street, at one corner of the Maidan, was the long-defunct [[Fort William College]],<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., p. 271</ref> which played a pioneering role in the development of many of the Indian languages, particularly Bengali.		[[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]] was built in 1803, the {{convert\|48\|m\|adj=on}} high [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument]] in 1848,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.kolkatainformation.com/calhert/sahid_minar.htm \| title = Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument)\| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| publisher = kolkatainformation.com}}</ref> the museum was started in the Asiatic Society in 1814 but shifted to the present site as the Indian Museum in 1887,<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| title = Indian Museum Kolkata \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = indianmuseumkolkata.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061123151815/http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html \| archive-date = 23 November 2006 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] was built between 1839 and 1847, it was consecrated in 1874,<ref>{{cite web \| url =http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| title =Calcutta Sight Seeing \| access-date =2007-05-04 \| publisher =indiatravelite.com \| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070307010108/http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm \| archive-date =7 March 2007 \| url-status =dead }}</ref> and the Victoria Memorial was erected in 1921.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| title = The Official website of Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta \| access-date = 2007-05-04 \| work = The Official Website \| publisher = victoriamemorial.com \| url-status = dead \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070519085614/http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html \| archive-date = 19 May 2007 \| df = dmy-all }}</ref> On Council House Street, at one corner of the Maidan, was the long-defunct [[Fort William College]],<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., p. 271</ref> which played a pioneering role in the development of many of the Indian languages, particularly Bengali.

	The cricket stadium at [[Eden Gardens]] was built in stages. Amongst the later additions are [[Netaji Indoor Stadium]], the [[Birla Planetarium, Kolkata\|M.{{nbsp}}P. Birla Planetarium]],<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://education.vsnl.com/planetarium/ \|title=M.P.Birla Planetarium \|access-date=2007-05-04 \|work=The Official Website \|publisher=education.vsnl.com \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070414212605/http://education.vsnl.com/planetarium/ \|archive-date=14 April 2007 }}</ref> [[Rabindra Sadan]], the [[Academy of Fine Arts~~, Calcutta\|Academy of Fine Arts]]~~ and [[Nandan (Kolkata)\|Nandan]].<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., p 283.</ref><ref>Roy, Tathagata, ''The Calcutta Metro'', in ''Calcutta, the Living City'', Vol.{{nbsp}} II, p.{{nbsp}}158</ref> The [[Kolkata Metro\|metro]] stations bordering the Maidan as one travels from the south are [[Victoria metro station (Kolkata)\|Victoria]] (under construction), [[Rabindra Sadan metro station\|Rabindra Sadan]], [[Maidan metro station\|Maidan]], [[Park Street metro station (Kolkata)\|Park Street]] and [[Esplanade metro station\|Esplanade]].		The cricket stadium at [[Eden Gardens]] was built in stages. Amongst the later additions are [[Netaji Indoor Stadium]], the [[Birla Planetarium, Kolkata\|M.{{nbsp}}P. Birla Planetarium]],<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://education.vsnl.com/planetarium/ \|title=M.P.Birla Planetarium \|access-date=2007-05-04 \|work=The Official Website \|publisher=education.vsnl.com \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070414212605/http://education.vsnl.com/planetarium/ \|archive-date=14 April 2007 }}</ref> [[Rabindra Sadan]], the Academy of Fine Arts and [[Nandan (Kolkata)\|Nandan]].<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., p 283.</ref><ref>Roy, Tathagata, ''The Calcutta Metro'', in ''Calcutta, the Living City'', Vol.{{nbsp}} II, p.{{nbsp}}158</ref> The [[Kolkata Metro\|metro]] stations bordering the Maidan as one travels from the south are [[Victoria metro station (Kolkata)\|Victoria]] (under construction), [[Rabindra Sadan metro station\|Rabindra Sadan]], [[Maidan metro station\|Maidan]], [[Park Street metro station (Kolkata)\|Park Street]] and [[Esplanade metro station\|Esplanade]].

	The [[Howrah Bridge]] is away from the Maidan, but the [[Vidyasagar Setu]] (Second Hooghly Bridge) overlooks at least one corner of the Maidan and [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]].		The Howrah Bridge is away from the Maidan, but the [[Vidyasagar Setu]] (Second Hooghly Bridge) overlooks at least one corner of the Maidan and [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]].

	==Statues==		==Statues==

Kamal Guha: /* Statues */ Removed red links

2023-06-23T15:01:55Z

Statues: Removed red links

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:31, 23 June 2023
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	==Statues==		==Statues==
	The Maidan was dotted with statues of British governor generals and other eminent personalities of the British Raj, including ~~[[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston\|~~Lord Curzon]], [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener\|Kitchener]], [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts\|Roberts]], ~~[[Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto\|~~Minto]], ~~[[Thomas Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook\|~~Northbrook]], [[Charles Canning, 1st Earl Canning\|Canning]] and others who had known Kolkata well. Two or three of them were erected in the first few years of Indian independence in 1947; it was not until 1983 that the last 16 were removed.<ref>Moorhouse, Geoffrey, ''Calcutta, the City Revealed'', first published 1971, Penguin Books 1986 edition, p. 227, {{ISBN\|0-14-009557-8}}</ref>		The Maidan was dotted with statues of British governor generals and other eminent personalities of the British Raj, including Lord Curzon, [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener\|Kitchener]], [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts\|Roberts]], Minto, Northbrook, [[Charles Canning, 1st Earl Canning\|Canning]] and others who had known Kolkata well. Two or three of them were erected in the first few years of Indian independence in 1947; it was not until 1983 that the last 16 were removed.<ref>Moorhouse, Geoffrey, ''Calcutta, the City Revealed'', first published 1971, Penguin Books 1986 edition, p. 227, {{ISBN\|0-14-009557-8}}</ref>

	==Events==		==Events==

Kamal Guha: Second gallery

2023-06-23T14:57:27Z

Second gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:27, 23 June 2023
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	{{EngvarB\|date=March 2016}}		{{EngvarB\|date=March 2016}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=March 2016}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=March 2016}}
			[[File:Kolkata Maidan2 Map.jpg\|thumb\|Location of Maidan in Kolkata map]]
	The '''Maidan''' (literally, open field), also referred to as the '''Brigade Parade Ground''',<ref>{{cite web \| title = Trinamool set for 'biggest' Brigade rally \| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Trinamool-set-for-biggest-Brigade-rally/articleshow/29527824.cms \|date=29 January 2014\| access-date = 2014-03-01 \| work = The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \| title = Brigade Parade Ground to host 3 mega rallies by TMC, BJP & LF \| url = http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/brigade-parade-ground-to-host-3-mega-rallies-by-tmc-bjp-and-lf_907704.html \|date=29 January 2014\| access-date = 2014-03-01}}</ref> is the largest urban park in [[Kolkata]] in the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]]. It is a vast stretch of field that includes numerous play grounds, including the famous [[cricket]]ing venue [[Eden Gardens]], several [[association football\|football]] stadiums and the [[Kolkata Race Course]]. The Maidan is dotted with statues and architectural works, the most notable being the Victoria Memorial. Due to the freshness and greenery it provides to the metropolis, it has been referred to as the "lungs of Kolkata".<ref>{{cite news\|title=In city's teeming heart, a place to gaze and graze \|first=Jim \|last=Yardley \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/asia/28india.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 \|newspaper=The New York Times \|location=New York\|date= 27 January 2011 \|access-date=27 November 2011\|quote=To Kolkata, it is the 'lungs of the city,' a recharge zone for the soul.}}</ref> The property of the [[Indian Army]], the Maidan hosts the army's Eastern zone high command in [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]]. The Maidan stretches from the [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Raj Bhavan]] building on the [[Esplanade, Kolkata\|Esplanade]] in the north to the [[National Library of India\|National Library]] on Belvedere Road in [[Alipore]] in the south. The wide field stretches from the [[Hooghly River]] in the west to the Victoria Memorial in the east. It is a historical and cultural center of Kolkata as well as a center of leisure and entertainment for Calcuttans.		The '''Maidan''' (literally, open field), also referred to as the '''Brigade Parade Ground''',<ref>{{cite web \| title = Trinamool set for 'biggest' Brigade rally \| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Trinamool-set-for-biggest-Brigade-rally/articleshow/29527824.cms \|date=29 January 2014\| access-date = 2014-03-01 \| work = The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \| title = Brigade Parade Ground to host 3 mega rallies by TMC, BJP & LF \| url = http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/brigade-parade-ground-to-host-3-mega-rallies-by-tmc-bjp-and-lf_907704.html \|date=29 January 2014\| access-date = 2014-03-01}}</ref> is the largest urban park in [[Kolkata]] in the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]]. It is a vast stretch of field that includes numerous play grounds, including the famous [[cricket]]ing venue [[Eden Gardens]], several [[association football\|football]] stadiums and the [[Kolkata Race Course]]. The Maidan is dotted with statues and architectural works, the most notable being the Victoria Memorial. Due to the freshness and greenery it provides to the metropolis, it has been referred to as the "lungs of Kolkata".<ref>{{cite news\|title=In city's teeming heart, a place to gaze and graze \|first=Jim \|last=Yardley \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/asia/28india.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 \|newspaper=The New York Times \|location=New York\|date= 27 January 2011 \|access-date=27 November 2011\|quote=To Kolkata, it is the 'lungs of the city,' a recharge zone for the soul.}}</ref> The property of the [[Indian Army]], the Maidan hosts the army's Eastern zone high command in [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]]. The Maidan stretches from the [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Raj Bhavan]] building on the [[Esplanade, Kolkata\|Esplanade]] in the north to the [[National Library of India\|National Library]] on Belvedere Road in [[Alipore]] in the south. The wide field stretches from the [[Hooghly River]] in the west to the Victoria Memorial in the east. It is a historical and cultural center of Kolkata as well as a center of leisure and entertainment for Calcuttans.

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	==Gallery==		==Gallery==
	<gallery>		<gallery>
	File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847		[[File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|left\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847]]
	~~File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|A view of [[Calcutta~~]] ~~from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)~~
	File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan		File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan
	File:Chowringheeskyline2.jpg\|[[Kolkata]] skyline from the Maidan		File:Chowringheeskyline2.jpg\|[[Kolkata]] skyline from the Maidan
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	File:Shahid Minar Kolkata Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg\|[[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument (renamed Shaheed Minar)		File:Shahid Minar Kolkata Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg\|[[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument (renamed Shaheed Minar)
	File:Raj Bhawan - Wikimedia Photowalk Kolkata 20111218 IMG 4551.jpg\|The [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Raj Bhavan]] in the northern part of the Maidan		File:Raj Bhawan - Wikimedia Photowalk Kolkata 20111218 IMG 4551.jpg\|The [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Raj Bhavan]] in the northern part of the Maidan
	~~File:Eden Gardens.jpg\|[[Eden Gardens]], the second largest cricket stadium in the world, is in the heart of the Maidan~~
	File:Birla planetarium.JPG\|thumbnail\|The [[Birla Planetarium, Kolkata\|Birla Planetarium]] in Kolkata with a statue of Indira Gandhi in the foreground and [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] in the background		File:Birla planetarium.JPG\|thumbnail\|The [[Birla Planetarium, Kolkata\|Birla Planetarium]] in Kolkata with a statue of Indira Gandhi in the foreground and [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] in the background
	File:Footballstatuekolmaidan.jpg\|thumb\|Statue of Gostho Pal at Maidan		File:Footballstatuekolmaidan.jpg\|thumb\|Statue of Gostho Pal at Maidan
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	===Book fair controversy===		===Book fair controversy===
	~~[[File:Kolkata Maidan2 Map.jpg\|right\|230px\|Location of Maidan in Kolkata map]]~~

	In 2005, ''[[The Statesman (India)\|The Statesman]]'', a leading Kolkata newspaper wrote,{{quote\|The Kolkata Book Fair may well have had its last outing on the Maidan… In recent years, almost every part of the Maidan has been used to host all manners of melas and fairs. This, obviously, can't continue… Our courts of justice are now taking cognizance. The military too has woken up to its environmental responsibility. Even business houses have apparently become concerned. At this rate, it might seem the lungs of Kolkata, and of the people who inhabit it, still have some hope.<ref>{{cite web		In 2005, ''[[The Statesman (India)\|The Statesman]]'', a leading Kolkata newspaper wrote,{{quote\|The Kolkata Book Fair may well have had its last outing on the Maidan… In recent years, almost every part of the Maidan has been used to host all manners of melas and fairs. This, obviously, can't continue… Our courts of justice are now taking cognizance. The military too has woken up to its environmental responsibility. Even business houses have apparently become concerned. At this rate, it might seem the lungs of Kolkata, and of the people who inhabit it, still have some hope.<ref>{{cite web
	\|url=http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=4&id=97726&usrsess=1		\|url=http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=4&id=97726&usrsess=1
Line 57:		Line 53:
	\|archive-date=29 September 2007		\|archive-date=29 September 2007
	\|url-status=dead		\|url-status=dead
	}}</ref>}}~~[[File:The Maidan.jpg\|left\|thumb\|190px\|The Maidan, c.{{nbsp}}1905]]~~		}}</ref>}}
	~~[[File:Horse Carriage - Casuarina Avenue - Kolkata 2013-01-05 2381.JPG\|thumb\|A horse-drawn carriage, used for rides around the Maidan]]~~

	==Life on the Maidan==		==Life on the Maidan==
	~~[[File:Mohun bagan ground.jpg\|thumbnail\|left\|The [[Mohun Bagan]] ground in the Maidan]]~~
	~~[[File:Brigade Parade Ground - Kolkata 2013-01-05 2403.JPG\|thumb\|centre\|Life on Maidan]]~~
	The world's oldest [[Field hockey\|hockey]] tournament, [[Beighton Cup]], was instituted in [[1895 in sports\|1895]] and is usually held on the [[Mohun Bagan Ground\|Mohun Bagan ground]] in the Maidan.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.bharatiyahockey.org/patjansen/beighton.htm \| title = Beighton Cup \| access-date = 2007-04-13 \| publisher =bharatiyahockey.org		The world's oldest [[Field hockey\|hockey]] tournament, [[Beighton Cup]], was instituted in [[1895 in sports\|1895]] and is usually held on the [[Mohun Bagan Ground\|Mohun Bagan ground]] in the Maidan.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.bharatiyahockey.org/patjansen/beighton.htm \| title = Beighton Cup \| access-date = 2007-04-13 \| publisher =bharatiyahockey.org
	}}</ref> For the [[Indian Football Association]], the Maidan has been the nerve centre.		}}</ref> For the [[Indian Football Association]], the Maidan has been the nerve centre.
Line 70:		Line 63:

	[[Tollygunge#Police district\|Tollygunge Women's police station]] has jurisdiction over all the police districts in the South Division, i.e. Park Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Alipore, Hastings, Maidan, Bhowanipore, Kalighat, Tollygunge, Charu Market, New Alipur and Chetla.<ref name="police"/>		[[Tollygunge#Police district\|Tollygunge Women's police station]] has jurisdiction over all the police districts in the South Division, i.e. Park Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Alipore, Hastings, Maidan, Bhowanipore, Kalighat, Tollygunge, Charu Market, New Alipur and Chetla.<ref name="police"/>

			==Gallery==
			<gallery>
			[[File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|thumb\|A view of [[Calcutta]] from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)]]
			File:Mohun bagan ground.jpg\|thumbnail\|The Mohun Bagan ground in the Maidan
			File:Brigade Parade Ground - Kolkata 2013-01-05 2403.JPG\|thumb\|centre\|Life on Maidan]]
			File:Horse Carriage - Casuarina Avenue - Kolkata 2013-01-05 2381.JPG\|thumb\|A horse-drawn carriage, used for rides around the Maidan
			File:The Maidan.jpg\|left\|thumb\|190px\|The Maidan, c.{{nbsp}}1905
			File:Eden Gardens.jpg\|[[Eden Gardens]], the second largest cricket stadium in the world, is in the heart of the Maidan
			</gallery>

	{{coord\|22\|33\|05\|N\|88\|20\|50\|E\|display=title\|region:IN_type:landmark_scale:30000}}		{{coord\|22\|33\|05\|N\|88\|20\|50\|E\|display=title\|region:IN_type:landmark_scale:30000}}

Kamal Guha: Removed red links

2023-06-23T14:33:33Z

Removed red links

Kamal Guha: Pictures in Gallery

2023-06-23T13:40:31Z

Pictures in Gallery

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{EngvarB|date=March 2016}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
@@ Line 7: / Line 5: @@
 ==History==
 In 1758, one year after their decisive win in Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company commenced construction of the new [[Fort William, India|Fort William]] in the center of the village [[Gobindapur, Kolkata|Gobindapur]]. The inhabitants of the village were compensated and provided with land in Taltala, Kumartuli and Shovabazar. The fort was completed in 1773.{{quote|The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of [[Chowringhee]] from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which Calcutta is so proud. The formation of this airy expanse and the filling up of the creek which had cut off the settlement in the south, led the European inhabitants to gradually forsake the narrow limits of the old palisades. The movement towards Chowringhee had already been noticeable as early as 1746.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., ''Calcutta Old and New'', 1909/1980, p.&nbsp;72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>}}
 In 1883–1884 the Maidan, along with grounds of the Indian Museum, hosted the [[Calcutta International Exhibition]].<ref name="photobookfound">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131202/jsp/calcutta/story_17607534.jsp#.WGzIWVwiV8E|access-date=4 January 2017|title=Retro look: unseen shots of 1883}}</ref>
@@ Line 17: / Line 11: @@
 In 1909, H.E.A. Cotton wrote,{{quote|The great Maidan presents a most refreshing appearance to the eye, the heavy night dew, even in the hot season, keeping the grass green. Many of the fine trees with which it was once studded were blown down in the cyclone of 1864. But they have not been allowed to remain without successors, and the handsome avenues across the Maidan still constitute the chief glory of Calcutta. Dotting the wide expanse are a number of fine tanks, from which the inhabitants were content in former days to obtain their water-supply.<ref name = "Cotton220">Cotton, H.E.A.,  pp. 220–221.</ref>}}
 In Bengali, the maidan is called 'Garh-er maath'. 'Garh', in Bengali, means fort and its meaning literally translates to the 'fort's ground'.
 ==Around the Maidan==
-[[File:Shahid Minar Kolkata Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg|thumb|[[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata|Octerlony Monument (renamed Shaheed Minar)]]]]
+{{quote|The oldest road on the Maidan is the Course, extending from the 'Cocked hat' in the north to the Khidirpur bridge. The 'broad gravelled walk' on the west side of that portion is the Red Road, constructed in 1820. To the south of the fort is the Ellenborough Course, meant for horse exercises, and towards the east is the Race Course, started in 1819. That was the scenario a century back.<ref name = "Cotton220"/>}}
 [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata|Government House]] was built in 1803, the {{convert|48|m|adj=on}} high [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata|Octerlony Monument]] in 1848,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kolkatainformation.com/calhert/sahid_minar.htm | title =  Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument)| access-date =  2007-05-04 | publisher =  kolkatainformation.com}}</ref> the museum was started in the [[Asiatic Society]] in 1814 but shifted to the present site as the [[Indian Museum]] in 1887,<ref>{{cite web | url =  http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html | title =  Indian Museum Kolkata | access-date =  2007-05-04 | work =  The Official Website | publisher =  indianmuseumkolkata.com | url-status =  dead | archive-url =  https://web.archive.org/web/20061123151815/http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org/history.html | archive-date =  23 November 2006 | df =  dmy-all }}</ref> [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata|St. Paul's Cathedral]] was built between 1839 and 1847, it was consecrated in 1874,<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm | title =Calcutta Sight Seeing | access-date =2007-05-04 | publisher =indiatravelite.com | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070307010108/http://www.indiatravelite.com/calcutta/calsightseeing.htm | archive-date =7 March 2007 | url-status =dead }}</ref> and the [[Victoria Memorial (India)|Victoria Memorial]] was erected in 1921.<ref>{{cite web | url =  http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html | title =  The Official website of Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta | access-date =  2007-05-04 | work =  The Official Website | publisher =  victoriamemorial.com | url-status =  dead | archive-url =  https://web.archive.org/web/20070519085614/http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html | archive-date =  19 May 2007 | df =  dmy-all }}</ref> On Council House Street, at one corner of the Maidan, was the long-defunct [[Fort William College]],<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., p. 271</ref> which played a pioneering role in the development of many of the Indian languages, particularly Bengali.
@@ Line 34: / Line 37: @@
 ==Statues==
 The Maidan was dotted with statues of British governor generals and other eminent personalities of the British Raj, including [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]], [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|Kitchener]], [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Roberts]], [[Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto|Minto]], [[Thomas Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook|Northbrook]], [[Charles Canning, 1st Earl Canning|Canning]] and others who had known Kolkata well. Two or three of them were erected in the first few years of Indian independence in 1947; it was not until 1983 that the last 16 were removed.<ref>Moorhouse, Geoffrey, ''Calcutta, the City Revealed'', first published 1971, Penguin Books 1986 edition, p. 227, {{ISBN|0-14-009557-8}}</ref>

Kamal Guha: /* History */ Red link removed

2023-06-23T12:53:10Z

History: Red link removed

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 23 June 2023
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	==History==		==History==
	[[File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|right\|thumb\|A view of [[Calcutta]] from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)]]		[[File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|right\|thumb\|rght\|A view of [[Calcutta]] from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)]]
	[[File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|~~left~~\|thumb\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan]]		[[File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|right\|thumb\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan]]
	In 1758, one year after their decisive win in Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company commenced construction of the new [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] in the center of the village [[Gobindapur, Kolkata\|Gobindapur]]. The inhabitants of the village were compensated and provided with land in Taltala, Kumartuli and Shovabazar. The fort was completed in 1773.{{quote\|The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of [[Chowringhee]] from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which Calcutta is so proud. The formation of this airy expanse and the filling up of the creek which had cut off the settlement in the south, led the European inhabitants to gradually forsake the narrow limits of the old palisades. The movement towards Chowringhee had already been noticeable as early as 1746.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., ''Calcutta Old and New'', 1909/1980, p. 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>}}		In 1758, one year after their decisive win in Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company commenced construction of the new [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] in the center of the village [[Gobindapur, Kolkata\|Gobindapur]]. The inhabitants of the village were compensated and provided with land in Taltala, Kumartuli and Shovabazar. The fort was completed in 1773.{{quote\|The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of [[Chowringhee]] from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which Calcutta is so proud. The formation of this airy expanse and the filling up of the creek which had cut off the settlement in the south, led the European inhabitants to gradually forsake the narrow limits of the old palisades. The movement towards Chowringhee had already been noticeable as early as 1746.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., ''Calcutta Old and New'', 1909/1980, p. 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>}}

	[[File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|thumb\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a [[lithograph]] after a [[watercolour painting\|watercolour]] by [[Percy Carpenter]], depicting [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], with the Maidan in the background ]]		[[File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|thumb\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a [[lithograph]] after a [[watercolour painting\|watercolour]] by [[Percy Carpenter]], depicting [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], with the Maidan in the background ]]

	In 1883–1884 the Maidan, along with grounds of the [[Indian Museum]], hosted the [[Calcutta International Exhibition]].<ref name="photobookfound">{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131202/jsp/calcutta/story_17607534.jsp#.WGzIWVwiV8E\|access-date=4 January 2017\|title=Retro look: unseen shots of 1883}}</ref>		In 1883–1884 the Maidan, along with grounds of the Indian Museum, hosted the [[Calcutta International Exhibition]].<ref name="photobookfound">{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131202/jsp/calcutta/story_17607534.jsp#.WGzIWVwiV8E\|access-date=4 January 2017\|title=Retro look: unseen shots of 1883}}</ref>

	In 1909, [[H.E.A. Cotton]] wrote,{{quote\|The great Maidan presents a most refreshing appearance to the eye, the heavy night dew, even in the hot season, keeping the grass green. Many of the fine trees with which it was once studded were blown down in the cyclone of 1864. But they have not been allowed to remain without successors, and the handsome avenues across the Maidan still constitute the chief glory of Calcutta. Dotting the wide expanse are a number of fine tanks, from which the inhabitants were content in former days to obtain their water-supply.<ref name = "Cotton220">Cotton, H.E.A., pp. 220–221.</ref>}}		In 1909, H.E.A. Cotton wrote,{{quote\|The great Maidan presents a most refreshing appearance to the eye, the heavy night dew, even in the hot season, keeping the grass green. Many of the fine trees with which it was once studded were blown down in the cyclone of 1864. But they have not been allowed to remain without successors, and the handsome avenues across the Maidan still constitute the chief glory of Calcutta. Dotting the wide expanse are a number of fine tanks, from which the inhabitants were content in former days to obtain their water-supply.<ref name = "Cotton220">Cotton, H.E.A., pp. 220–221.</ref>}}
	In Bengali, the maidan is called 'Garh-er maath'. 'Garh', in Bengali, means fort and its meaning literally translates to the 'fort's ground'.		In Bengali, the maidan is called 'Garh-er maath'. 'Garh', in Bengali, means fort and its meaning literally translates to the 'fort's ground'.
	[[File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847]]		[[File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847]]

Kamal Guha: /* History */ Red link removed

2023-06-23T12:49:20Z

History: Red link removed

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:19, 23 June 2023
Line 9:		Line 9:
	[[File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|right\|thumb\|A view of [[Calcutta]] from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)]]		[[File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|right\|thumb\|A view of [[Calcutta]] from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)]]
	[[File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|left\|thumb\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan]]		[[File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|left\|thumb\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan]]
	In 1758, one year after their decisive win in [[Battle of Plassey]], the British East India Company commenced construction of the new [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] in the center of the village [[Gobindapur, Kolkata\|Gobindapur]]. The inhabitants of the village were compensated and provided with land in Taltala, Kumartuli and Shovabazar. The fort was completed in 1773.{{quote\|The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of [[Chowringhee]] from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which Calcutta is so proud. The formation of this airy expanse and the filling up of the creek which had cut off the settlement in the south, led the European inhabitants to gradually forsake the narrow limits of the old palisades. The movement towards Chowringhee had already been noticeable as early as 1746.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., ''Calcutta Old and New'', 1909/1980, p. 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>}}		In 1758, one year after their decisive win in Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company commenced construction of the new [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] in the center of the village [[Gobindapur, Kolkata\|Gobindapur]]. The inhabitants of the village were compensated and provided with land in Taltala, Kumartuli and Shovabazar. The fort was completed in 1773.{{quote\|The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of [[Chowringhee]] from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which Calcutta is so proud. The formation of this airy expanse and the filling up of the creek which had cut off the settlement in the south, led the European inhabitants to gradually forsake the narrow limits of the old palisades. The movement towards Chowringhee had already been noticeable as early as 1746.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., ''Calcutta Old and New'', 1909/1980, p. 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>}}

	[[File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|thumb\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a [[lithograph]] after a [[watercolour painting\|watercolour]] by [[Percy Carpenter]], depicting [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], with the Maidan in the background ]]		[[File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|thumb\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a [[lithograph]] after a [[watercolour painting\|watercolour]] by [[Percy Carpenter]], depicting [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], with the Maidan in the background ]]
Line 18:		Line 18:
	In Bengali, the maidan is called 'Garh-er maath'. 'Garh', in Bengali, means fort and its meaning literally translates to the 'fort's ground'.		In Bengali, the maidan is called 'Garh-er maath'. 'Garh', in Bengali, means fort and its meaning literally translates to the 'fort's ground'.
	[[File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847]]		[[File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847]]

	==Around the Maidan==		==Around the Maidan==
	[[File:Shahid Minar Kolkata Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg\|thumb\|[[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument (renamed Shaheed Minar)]]]]		[[File:Shahid Minar Kolkata Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg\|thumb\|[[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument (renamed Shaheed Minar)]]]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 23 June 2023
Line 7:		Line 7:

	==History==		==History==
	[[File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|right\|thumb\|A view of [[Calcutta]] from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)]]		[[File:Company rule calcutta from ftwilliam.jpg\|right\|thumb\|rght\|A view of [[Calcutta]] from [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] (c.{{nbsp}}1807)]]
	[[File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|~~left~~\|thumb\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan]]		[[File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|right\|thumb\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan]]
	In 1758, one year after their decisive win in Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company commenced construction of the new [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] in the center of the village [[Gobindapur, Kolkata\|Gobindapur]]. The inhabitants of the village were compensated and provided with land in Taltala, Kumartuli and Shovabazar. The fort was completed in 1773.{{quote\|The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of [[Chowringhee]] from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which Calcutta is so proud. The formation of this airy expanse and the filling up of the creek which had cut off the settlement in the south, led the European inhabitants to gradually forsake the narrow limits of the old palisades. The movement towards Chowringhee had already been noticeable as early as 1746.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., ''Calcutta Old and New'', 1909/1980, p. 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>}}		In 1758, one year after their decisive win in Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company commenced construction of the new [[Fort William, India\|Fort William]] in the center of the village [[Gobindapur, Kolkata\|Gobindapur]]. The inhabitants of the village were compensated and provided with land in Taltala, Kumartuli and Shovabazar. The fort was completed in 1773.{{quote\|The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of [[Chowringhee]] from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which Calcutta is so proud. The formation of this airy expanse and the filling up of the creek which had cut off the settlement in the south, led the European inhabitants to gradually forsake the narrow limits of the old palisades. The movement towards Chowringhee had already been noticeable as early as 1746.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., ''Calcutta Old and New'', 1909/1980, p. 72, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>}}

	[[File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|thumb\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a [[lithograph]] after a [[watercolour painting\|watercolour]] by [[Percy Carpenter]], depicting [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], with the Maidan in the background ]]		[[File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|thumb\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a [[lithograph]] after a [[watercolour painting\|watercolour]] by [[Percy Carpenter]], depicting [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], with the Maidan in the background ]]

	In 1883–1884 the Maidan, along with grounds of the [[Indian Museum]], hosted the [[Calcutta International Exhibition]].<ref name="photobookfound">{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131202/jsp/calcutta/story_17607534.jsp#.WGzIWVwiV8E\|access-date=4 January 2017\|title=Retro look: unseen shots of 1883}}</ref>		In 1883–1884 the Maidan, along with grounds of the Indian Museum, hosted the [[Calcutta International Exhibition]].<ref name="photobookfound">{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1131202/jsp/calcutta/story_17607534.jsp#.WGzIWVwiV8E\|access-date=4 January 2017\|title=Retro look: unseen shots of 1883}}</ref>

	In 1909, [[H.E.A. Cotton]] wrote,{{quote\|The great Maidan presents a most refreshing appearance to the eye, the heavy night dew, even in the hot season, keeping the grass green. Many of the fine trees with which it was once studded were blown down in the cyclone of 1864. But they have not been allowed to remain without successors, and the handsome avenues across the Maidan still constitute the chief glory of Calcutta. Dotting the wide expanse are a number of fine tanks, from which the inhabitants were content in former days to obtain their water-supply.<ref name = "Cotton220">Cotton, H.E.A., pp. 220–221.</ref>}}		In 1909, H.E.A. Cotton wrote,{{quote\|The great Maidan presents a most refreshing appearance to the eye, the heavy night dew, even in the hot season, keeping the grass green. Many of the fine trees with which it was once studded were blown down in the cyclone of 1864. But they have not been allowed to remain without successors, and the handsome avenues across the Maidan still constitute the chief glory of Calcutta. Dotting the wide expanse are a number of fine tanks, from which the inhabitants were content in former days to obtain their water-supply.<ref name = "Cotton220">Cotton, H.E.A., pp. 220–221.</ref>}}
	In Bengali, the maidan is called 'Garh-er maath'. 'Garh', in Bengali, means fort and its meaning literally translates to the 'fort's ground'.		In Bengali, the maidan is called 'Garh-er maath'. 'Garh', in Bengali, means fort and its meaning literally translates to the 'fort's ground'.
	[[File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847]]		[[File:Grand field day at Calcutta.jpg\|thumb\|180px\|Grand field day on the ground, 1847]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 23 June 2023
Line 18:		Line 18:
	File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan		File:Esplanade Row - Right of Government House (1829).jpg\|A view of the mansions, including [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Government House]], that lined the north side of the Maidan
	File:Chowringheeskyline2.jpg\|[[Kolkata]] skyline from the Maidan		File:Chowringheeskyline2.jpg\|[[Kolkata]] skyline from the Maidan
	File:Victoria by nabarun.jpg\|alt=Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, at dusk\|right~~\|200px\|thumb~~\|A view of the [[Victoria Memorial ~~(India)\|Victoria Memorial]]~~'s facade at dusk		File:Victoria by nabarun.jpg\|alt=Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, at dusk\|right\|A view of the Victoria Memorial's facade at dusk
	File:Shahid Minar Kolkata Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg\|[[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument (renamed Shaheed Minar)		File:Shahid Minar Kolkata Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg\|[[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata\|Octerlony Monument (renamed Shaheed Minar)
	File:Raj Bhawan - Wikimedia Photowalk Kolkata 20111218 IMG 4551.jpg\|The [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Raj Bhavan]] in the northern part of the Maidan		File:Raj Bhawan - Wikimedia Photowalk Kolkata 20111218 IMG 4551.jpg\|The [[Raj Bhavan, Kolkata\|Raj Bhavan]] in the northern part of the Maidan
	File:Eden Gardens.jpg\|[[Eden Gardens]], the second largest cricket stadium in the world, is in the heart of the Maidan		File:Eden Gardens.jpg\|[[Eden Gardens]], the second largest cricket stadium in the world, is in the heart of the Maidan
	File:Birla planetarium.JPG\|thumbnail\|The [[Birla Planetarium, Kolkata\|Birla Planetarium]] in Kolkata with a statue of Indira Gandhi in the foreground and [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] in the background		File:Birla planetarium.JPG\|thumbnail\|The [[Birla Planetarium, Kolkata\|Birla Planetarium]] in Kolkata with a statue of Indira Gandhi in the foreground and [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata\|St. Paul's Cathedral]] in the background
	File:Footballstatuekolmaidan.jpg\|thumb\|Statue of [[Gostho Pal]] at Maidan		File:Footballstatuekolmaidan.jpg\|thumb\|Statue of Gostho Pal at Maidan
	File:King Edward VII Arch VictoriaMemorial Kolkata closeShot.JPG\|The King Edward VII Arch near the Victoria Memorial]]		File:King Edward VII Arch VictoriaMemorial Kolkata closeShot.JPG\|The King Edward VII Arch near the Victoria Memorial]]
	File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a [[lithograph]] after a ~~[[watercolour~~ painting~~\|watercolour]]~~ by [[Percy Carpenter]], depicting [[Calcutta Cricket Club]], with the Maidan in the background		File:Ground of Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y 1861 - Percy Carpenter.png\|''Ground of the Calcutta Cricket Club, 15th Jan'y. 1861 H.M. 68th L.I. from Rangoon, versus the Calcutta Cricket Club'', a lithograph after a water colour painting by Percy Carpenter, depicting Calcutta Cricket Club, with the Maidan in the background
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	==Around the Maidan==		==Around the Maidan==
	{{quote\|The oldest road on the Maidan is the Course, extending from the 'Cocked hat' in the north to the Khidirpur bridge. The 'broad gravelled walk' on the west side of that portion is the Red Road, constructed in 1820. To the south of the fort is the Ellenborough Course, meant for horse exercises, and towards the east is the Race Course, started in 1819. That was the scenario a century back.<ref name = "Cotton220"/>}}		{{quote\|The oldest road on the Maidan is the Course, extending from the 'Cocked hat' in the north to the Khidirpur bridge. The 'broad gravelled walk' on the west side of that portion is the Red Road, constructed in 1820. To the south of the fort is the Ellenborough Course, meant for horse exercises, and towards the east is the Race Course, started in 1819. That was the scenario a century back.<ref name = "Cotton220"/>}}