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{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
|name           = Raj Bhavan, Kolkata
| name             = Lok Bhavan, Kolkata
|image         = Raj Bhaban 1.jpg
| former_names    = Government House (1803–1950)<br> Raj Bhavan (1950–2025)
|caption       = Front [[façade]] of the Raj Bhavan
| image           = Raj Bhaban 1.jpg
| building_type      = Main residence
| image_size      = 280 px
| coordinates         = {{coord|22.567261|88.347520|display=inline,title}}
| caption         = Front [[façade]] of Raj Bhavan
|start_date    = 1799
| coordinates     = {{coord|22.567261|88.347520|display=inline,title}}
|completion_date= 1803
| construction_start_date = 1799
|room_count    = 90
| completion_date = 1803
washroom count = 14
| number_of_rooms  = 90
|elevator_count =  
| elevator_count   =  
| current_tenants = [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]]
| current_tenants =  
|cost           = Rs.13 [[lakhs]]<br> (£63.3 [[thousands]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kolkatacitytours.com/raj-bhavan-kolkata/|title=details about WB Raj Bhavan}}</ref>
| cost             = Rupees 13 [[lakh]] (1,300,000) <br /> (£63,300)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kolkatacitytours.com/raj-bhavan-kolkata/,%20https://www.kolkatacitytours.com/raj-bhavan-kolkata/|title=Raj Bhavan &#124; Kolkata City Tours}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|floor_area     = 84,000 sq. ft
| floor_area       = {{convert|84000|sqft|m2|order=flip|abbr=off}}
|architect     = [[Charles Wyatt (architect)|Charles Wyatt]]
| architect       = [[Charles Wyatt (architect)|Charles Wyatt]]
|engineer       =  
| engineer         =  
|main_contractor=  
| main_contractor =  
|developer     =  
| developer       =  
|owner         = [[Government of West Bengal]]
| owner           = [[Government of West Bengal]]
|management    =  
| website          = {{URL|https://rajbhavankolkata.gov.in}}
|references    =
}}
}}


'''Raj Bhavan''' is the [[official residence]] of the [[Governor of West Bengal]], located in [[Kolkata]], the capital of the Indian state of [[West Bengal]]. Built in 1803, it was known as '''Government House''' before the [[independence of India|Indian independence]].
'''Raj Bhavan''', officially known as '''Lok Bhavan''' and formerly as '''Government House''' (1803–1950) is the [[official residence]] of the [[Governor of West Bengal]], [[R. N. Ravi]], located in [[Kolkata]], the capital of [[West Bengal]].  


After the transfer of power from the [[East India Company]] to the [[British Crown]] in 1858, it became the official residence of the [[Viceroy of India]], moving here from the [[Belvedere Estate]]. With the shifting of the British Indian capital from then Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, it became the official residence of Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. Since independence in 1947 it serves as the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal and came to be known as the Raj Bhavan, a name it shares with the [[Raj Bhavan (disambiguation)|official residences of other states' governors]].
Built in 1803 during the [[Company rule in India]], it became the official residence of the [[Viceroy of India]] in 1858 after the transfer of power from the Company to the British Crown. With the shifting of the Indian capital from then-Calcutta to [[New Delhi]] in 1911, it became the official residence of the [[List of governors of Bengal Presidency#Governors of Bengal (1912–1947)|Governor of Bengal]] (now West Bengal) and has served the same purpose since.


==History==
==History==
[[File:Page 568 Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.png|thumb|300px|Illustration of Government house in 1855]]
[[File:Page 568 Life in India or Madras, the Neilgherries, and Calcutta.png|thumb|300px|Illustration of Government house in 1855]]
[[Image:Rajbahavan.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Government House, South Front, photographed by [[Samuel Bourne]]]]
[[File:Rajbahavan.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Government House, South Front, photographed by [[Samuel Bourne]]]]
In the early nineteenth century Calcutta ([[Kolkata]]) was at the height of its golden age. Known as the City of Palaces or [[St. Petersburg]] of the East, Calcutta was the richest, largest and the most elegant colonial cities of India.<ref>{{Cite news|author = William, Dalrymple |title = White Mughals |publisher = Penguin Books|year = 2002|page = 407}}</ref> It was during this time that one of Calcutta's finest colonial structures, Government House (later Raj Bhavan), was constructed.
In the early nineteenth century, Calcutta was at the height of its golden age. Known as the City of Palaces or [[St. Petersburg]] of the East, Calcutta was the richest, largest and most elegant colonial city of India.<ref>{{Cite news|author = William, Dalrymple |title = White Mughals |publisher = Penguin Books|year = 2002|page = 407}}</ref>


Before 1799, the Governor-General resided in a rented house, called Buckingham House, located in the same location. The land belonged to Mohammad Reza Khan, a Nawab of Chitpur.<ref name="Dasgupta">{{Cite news|author = Das Gupta, Prosenjit |title = 10 Walks in Calcutta |publisher = Harper Collins|year = 2000|page = 5}}</ref> It was in 1799 that the then Governor-General of India, [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|The 1st Marquess Wellesley]], took the initiative of building a palace, because he believed that India should be ruled from a palace and not from a country house.  Lord Wellesley wanted to make a statement to the imperial authority and power and so the building was done on a grand scale.
Before 1799, the [[Governor-General of India]] resided in a rented house, called "Buckingham House", located in the same location. The land belonged to Mohammad Reza Khan, a Nawab of Chitpur.<ref name="Dasgupta">{{Cite news|author = Das Gupta, Prosenjit |title = 10 Walks in Calcutta |publisher = Harper Collins|year = 2000|page = 5}}</ref> In 1799, [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|the 1st Marquess Wellesley]], the then Governor-General, reportedly said that "India should be governed from a [[palace]], not from a [[English country house|country house]]", and began the construction of a grand mansion.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FdQcZfuj3i8C  |title=SJM Research Journal
|volume= 25–26|publisher= Salar Jung Museum|year=1988|page=24}}</ref>


After four years' construction it was completed at a colossal cost of [[£]]63,291 (about £3.8 million in today’s estimate).<ref>{{Cite news|author = William, Dalrymple |title = White Mughals |publisher = Penguin Books|year = 2002|page = 346}}</ref> Wellesley was charged for misusing of [[East India Company]]’s fund and was finally recalled back to England in 1805. Although Wellesley lost his job, he does have the credit of giving [[Kolkata]] one of its finest colonial mansions.
After four years' construction, it was completed at a colossal cost of [[£]]63,291 (about £3.8 million in today's estimate).<ref>{{Cite news|author = William, Dalrymple |title = White Mughals |publisher = Penguin Books|year = 2002|page = 346}}</ref> Lord Wellesley was accused of misusing the [[East India Company]]'s funds and was eventually recalled back to England in 1805.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1999-12-5-1|title=Richard (Colley), 1st Marquess of Wellesley, KP, Governor General of India, 1804|publisher=National Army Museum|access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>


In 1892, the [[Otis Elevator Company]] installed the first elevator in India at the Raj Bhavan.<ref>{{cite web|title=We must continue to listen to the market|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/we-must-continue-to-listen-to-the-market-says-otis-elevator-md/article6324345.ece|website=The Hindu|access-date=17 July 2016|language=en-IN|date=17 August 2014}}</ref>
After the transfer of power from the [[East India Company]] to the [[British Crown]] in 1858, it became the official residence of the [[Viceroy of India]], moving here from the [[Belvedere Estate]].<ref name=suites>{{cite web|url=https://www.asian-voice.com/News/India/Colonial-names-removed-from-Kolkata-Raj-Bhawan-suites|title=Colonial names removed from Kolkata Raj Bhawan suites|date=12 April 2017|newspaper=Asian Voice|access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref> In 1892, the [[Otis Elevator Company]] installed the first elevator in India in the Raj Bhavan.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 August 2014 |title=We must continue to listen to the market |url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/we-must-continue-to-listen-to-the-market-says-otis-elevator-md/article6324345.ece |access-date=17 July 2016 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref>
 
The construction of [[New Delhi]] as the British Raj's new planned capital began in 1911, with the chief official residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General being eventually moved there too, the new official residence being named [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Viceroy's House]]. The Lieutenant-Governor of [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], who had hitherto resided in [[Belvedere Estate|Belvedere House]], was upgraded to a full governor and his residence transferred to Government House in Calcutta.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Danvers|first=F.C.|title=Bengal: Its Chiefs, Agents, and Governors|date=22 June 2016|publisher=Forgotten Books|isbn=978-1332869954|pages=21–22}}</ref>


==Architecture==
==Architecture==
[[Image:Kedleston Hall 02.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[Kedleston Hall]]]]
[[File:Kedleston Hall 02.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Kedleston Hall]]]]
Designed by Capt. Charles Wyatt and on the lines of the Curzon’s family mansion of the [[Kedleston Hall]] of [[Derbyshire]],<ref name = "Roy">Roy, Nishitranjan,''Swasato Kolkata Ingrej Amaler Sthapathya'', {{in lang|bn}}, pp. 48, 1st edition, 1988, Prtikhan Press Pvt. Ltd.</ref> the Raj Bhavan follows a Neoclassical style with distinct Baroque overtones. In a strange coincidence, a 100 years after its construction started, the most illustrious son of the Curzon family, [[George Nathaniel Curzon]] came to occupy the Raj Bhavan as the Viceroy of India.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ayers|first=Sydney|date=July 2019|title=An English Country House in Calcutta: mapping networks between Government House, the statesman John Adam, and the architect Robert Adam|url=https://journals.openedition.org/abe/6193|journal=ABE Journal|volume=14-15}}</ref> Lord Curzon described the Government House as “without doubt the finest Government House occupied by the representative of any Sovereign or Government in the world.”<ref name="Doig">{{Cite news|author = Desmond, Doig |title = An Artist's Impression |publisher = The Statesman}}</ref>
Government House was designed by Capt. Charles Wyatt on the lines of [[Kedleston Hall]], the [[:Category:Curzon family|Curzon family]] estate in [[Derbyshire]].<ref name="Roy">Roy, Nishitranjan,''Swasato Kolkata Ingrej Amaler Sthapathya'', {{in lang|bn}}, pp. 48, 1st edition, 1988, Prtikhan Press Pvt. Ltd.</ref> The building follows a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style with distinct [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] overtones. Coincidentally, the most illustrious son of the Curzon family, [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]], would come to occupy the building as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India exactly 100 years after its construction started (1899-1905).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ayers|first=Sydney|date=July 2019|title=An English Country House in Calcutta: mapping networks between Government House, the statesman John Adam, and the architect Robert Adam|url=https://journals.openedition.org/abe/6193|journal=ABE Journal|volume=14-15}}</ref> Curzon described Government House as “without doubt the finest Government House occupied by the representative of any Sovereign or Government in the world.”<ref name="Doig">{{Cite news|author = Desmond, Doig |title = An Artist's Impression |publisher = The Statesman}}</ref>


Since the days of Lord Wellesley the Raj Bhavan had undergone several changes. In 1860s the Viceroy Lord Elgin added the metallic Dome. Lord Curzon brought electricity and lift (popularly known as the ‘Bird Cage Lift”<ref name="Doig"/>) to Raj Bhavan. The tiny ornamentally designed  “Bird Cage Lift” operates to this day.
In the 1860s, Viceroy [[James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin]], added the metallic dome to the building. Lord Curzon brought electricity and an elevator (popularly known as the "birdcage lift") to Raj Bhavan.<ref name="Doig" />


[[Image:KolkataRajbhavanGate.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Arched Gate of the Raj Bhavan]]
[[File:KolkataRajbhavanGate.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Arched Gate of the Raj Bhavan]]
The plan comprises a central core with four radiating wings. The state rooms located in the central core are accessed from the outside by a flight of grand steps on the north. On the south is another portico surmounted by a colonnaded verandah with a dome above. The four wings accommodate the various offices and residential quarters along with four sets of staircases. The plan of the wings allows for a great deal of natural ventilation in the spaces while also permitting views across the gardens. The entire compound is surrounded by a [[balustrade]]d wall with a grand arched gateways.
The architectural plan comprises a central core with four radiating wings. The state rooms located in the central core are accessed from the outside by a flight of grand steps on the north. On the south is another portico surmounted by a colonnaded verandah with a dome above. The four wings accommodate the various offices and residential quarters along with four sets of staircases. The plan of the wings allows for a great deal of natural ventilation in the spaces while also permitting views across the gardens. The wings are decorated with large [[coats of arms]].<ref name=chapter3>{{cite web|url=https://rajbhavankolkata.gov.in/writereaddata/PDF/CHAPTERIII.pdf|title=Raj Bhavan, Kolkata Chapter III: The Exterior|publisher=Raj Bhavan, Kolkata|access-date=4 January 2023}}</ref>


The Raj Bhavan covers an area of {{convert|84000|sqft|m2|order=flip|abbr=off}} and is surrounded by a compound of {{convert|27|acre|ha|order=flip}}.<ref name="Wheels">{{cite news |title=Raj Bhawan, Kolkata on Wheels |url=http://www.kolkataonwheelsmagazine.com/?module=article&content_id=5&article_id=17  |access-date=January 21, 2012}}</ref> The Raj Bhavan has six gateways, one each on the north and south and two each on the east and west. The four gates on the east and west have grand archways topped with lions, while the minor archways on the side are topped with sphinxes.
The Raj Bhavan covers an area of {{convert|84000|sqft|m2|order=flip|abbr=off}} and is surrounded by a compound of {{convert|27|acre|ha|order=flip}}.<ref name="Wheels">{{cite news |title=Raj Bhawan, Kolkata on Wheels |url=http://www.kolkataonwheelsmagazine.com/?module=article&content_id=5&article_id=17 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127041451/http://www.kolkataonwheelsmagazine.com/?module=article&content_id=5&article_id=17  |url-status=usurped  |archive-date=27 January 2013 |access-date=January 21, 2012}}</ref> The Raj Bhavan has six gateways, one each on the north and south and two each on the east and west. The four gates on the east and west have grand archways topped with lions, while the minor archways on the side are topped with sphinxes.<ref name=chapter3/>


[[Image:Raj Bhavan 4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Chinese cannon, Raj Bhavan]]
[[File:Raj Bhavan 4.jpg|250px|thumb|Chinese cannon, Raj Bhavan]]
The best view of the Raj Bhavan is obtained from the North Gate, which also serves as the main gate. A long walk past a decorated Chinese cannon leads to a flight of stairs to the portico crowned with the triangular pediment supported by six ionic pillars.
The best view of the Raj Bhavan is obtained from the North Gate, which also serves as the main gate. The main entrance, formed by six ionic pillars supporting a pediment, is approached by a long walk past a decorated Chinese cannon presented by [[Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough]].<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=frHDAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA109  |title= The Indian Equator Mark Twain's India Revisited|first= Ian |last=Strathcarron|year=2013|page=109|publisher=Dover Publications|isbn=978-0486315805}}</ref> Mounted on a dragon and flanked with minor cannons, this cannon was a trophy taken from [[Nanjing|Nanking]] in 1842 after the [[First Opium War]]. An inscription on a marble plaque reads "The [[Treaty of Nanking|peace]] dictated to the [[Daoguang Emperor|Emperor of China]] under the walls of Nanking by the military force of England and of India."<ref name="Doig" />


The Chinese cannon, mounted on a dragon and flanked with minor cannons, was brought from Nanking in 1842. An inscription on a marble plaque reads “The peace dictated to the Emperor of China under the walls of Nanking by the military force of England and of India.<ref name="Doig"/>”
==Interior==
 
The three-storey Raj Bhavan building has a massive central area, consisting of large halls with curved corridors on all four sides radiating to detached wings, each constituting a house in itself. Including public halls, there are about 60 rooms in the building.<ref name="Doig" />
The South gate also provides a grand view, with the tree lined drive leading on to the lofty ionic pillars supporting the huge metallic dome. Entry inside the complex is strictly prohibited but photography is allowed from outside the gates with permission of the officer in charge at the gate.
 
==Features==
The plan comprises a central core with four radiating wings. The state rooms located in the central core are accessed from the outside by a flight of grand steps on the north. On the south is another portico surmounted by a colonnaded verandah with a dome above. The four wings accommodate the various offices and residential quarters along with four sets of staircases. The plan of the wings allows for a great deal of natural ventilation in the spaces while also permitting views across the gardens. The entire compound is surrounded by a balustraded wall with a grand arched gateway at each of the four cardinal points.


The plan of the building is very typical, a little like a man standing on his feet and holding two boxes in his two hands. The front of the palace faces north-east.
In 2017, West Bengal [[List of governors of West Bengal|governor]] [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]] Indianised the names of these suites. The Prince of Wales suite was renamed to [[Rabindranath Tagore]] ''Kaksh;'' Wellesley Suite to Sagar ''Kaksh;'' Dufferin Suite to [[Kangchenjunga]] ''Kaksh;'' Anderson Suite to [[Swami Vivekananda|Vivekananda]] ''Kaksh''.<ref name=suites/>
 
==Interior==
The three-storeyed Raj Bhavan building has a huge central area consisting of large halls having curved corridors on all four sides radiating to detached wings, each constituting a house in itself. There are about 60<ref name="Doig"/> rooms in Raj Bhavan, besides public halls, verandahs, porticos, banquets & halls and the cavernous  Throne room.


===Residential suites===
===Residential suites===
The residential portion is divided into four suites. The [[Prince of Wales]] Suite in the north-west wing of the first floor is where the [[President of India|President]], [[Vice-President of India|Vice-President]] and the [[Prime Minister of India]] and heads of state of other nations reside when visiting the state of [[West Bengal]]. The [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Wellesley]] Suite is located on the second floor in the north-eastern wing, the [[Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava|Dufferin]] Suite is on the second floor of north-west wing, and the fourth suite is the [[John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley|Anderson]] Suite.
The residential portion is divided into four suites. The [[Prince of Wales]] Suite in the north-west wing of the first floor hosts the [[President of India|President]], [[Vice President of India|Vice President]] and the [[Prime Minister of India]] and heads of state of other nations when they visit the state of [[West Bengal]]. The [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Wellesley]] Suite is located on the second floor in the north-eastern wing, the [[Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava|Dufferin]] Suite is on the second floor of north-west wing, and the fourth suite is the [[John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley|Anderson]] Suite.
The ex-governor, Keshrinath Tripati has, however, changed the names of these suites to Indian names. Eg.: Prince of Wales suite to Rabindranath Tagore kaksh, Wellesley suite to Sagar kaksh, Dufferin Suite to Kanchenjunga kaksh and Anderson Suite to Vivekananda kaksh.


===Drawing and dining rooms===
===Drawing and dining rooms===
'''Yellow Drawing Room:''' Located on the first floor of the Raj Bhavan, the beautiful drawing room has some wonderful paintings.
'''Yellow Drawing Room:''' Located on the first floor of the Raj Bhavan, this beautiful drawing room has some wonderful paintings.


'''Blue Drawing Room:''' An elegantly furnished room used by the governor to meet guest.
'''Blue Drawing Room:''' An elegantly furnished room used by the governor to meet guests.


'''Brown Dining Room:''' Adjacent to the Blue Dining room, it is used for small conferences and meetings.<ref name="Wheels"/>
'''Brown Dining Room:''' Adjacent to the Blue Dining room, it is used for small conferences and meetings.<ref name="Wheels" />


===Halls and banquet rooms===
===Halls and banquet rooms===
'''Throne Room:''' The Throne Room, as the name suggests, contains the throne of [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Wellesley]]. Next to it is the throne of [[Tipu Sultan]]. The room contains oil paintings of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], [[Bidhan Chandra Roy|Dr B C Roy]]. It also contains an Urn used to carry the Mahatma Gandhi's ashes.<ref name="Wheels"/>
'''Throne Room:''' The Throne Room contains the throne of [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Richard Wellesley]]. Beside it is throne of [[Tipu Sultan]]. The room contains oil paintings of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], and [[Bidhan Chandra Roy]]. It also contains the urn used to carry Mahatma Gandhi's ashes.<ref name="Wheels" />


'''Council Chamber:''' The Governor General used the Council Chamber to preside over the executive and later the Legislative Council. Now it is used by the governor to hold large meetings. A small dining room known as the Bharat Ratna Room and a billiard room is located just outside the Council Chamber.
'''Council Chamber:''' The Governor-General once used the Council Chamber to preside over the Executive, and later the Legislative Council. It is now used by the Governor of West Bengal to hold large meetings. A small dining room, known as the [[Bharat Ratna]] Room, and a billiard room is located just outside the Council Chamber.


'''The Marble Hall:''' Located on the ground floor of the Raj Bhavan, this is used for state and private meetings.
'''The Marble Hall:''' Located on the ground floor of the Raj Bhavan, this Hall is used for state and private meetings.


'''The Banquet Hall:''' The Banquet Hall with rows of [[Doric order|Doric]] pillars on each side, flowering chandeliers and black [[Mahogany]] tables has entertained eminent guests like Queen Elizabeth.
'''The Banquet Hall:''' With rows of [[Doric order|Doric]] pillars on each side, flowering chandeliers and black [[Mahogany]] tables, the Banquet Hall has entertained eminent guests such as Queen [[Elizabeth II]].


==Picture gallery==
==Picture gallery==
===Old photos===
===Old photos===
<gallery class="center">
<gallery class="center">
File:Rajbhavan1.jpg|Government House, Calcutta, by [[John Christian Schetky]]
Rajbhavan1.jpg|Government House, Calcutta, by [[John Christian Schetky]]
File:FraserCalcuttaGovernmentHouse.jpg|A View of the Government House from the eastern side-1819. Engraved by R Havell Jr In Views of Calcutta and its Environs by James Baillie Fraser
FraserCalcuttaGovernmentHouse.jpg|A View of the Government House from the eastern side-1819. Engraved by R Havell Jr In Views of Calcutta and its Environs by James Baillie Fraser
File:Rajbahavan.jpg|Calcutta - Government House, South Front, by [[Samuel Bourne]]
Rajbahavan.jpg|Calcutta - Government House, South Front, by [[Samuel Bourne]]
Samuel Davis - New Government House at Calcutta - B1977.14.177 - Yale Center for British Art.jpg|New Government House at Calcutta by [[Samuel Davis (orientalist)|Samuel Davis]]
Gouvernementshuis te Calcutta in India, KITLV 152331.tiff|The Government House of Calcutta, bird's eye view, {{circa|1935}}
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Present photos===
===Present photos===
<gallery class="center">
<gallery class="center">
File:Government House - Kolkata 2011-12-18 0188.JPG|Raj Bhavan on a foggy winter morning
Government House - Kolkata 2011-12-18 0188.JPG|Raj Bhavan on a foggy winter morning
File:Raj Bhavan 3.jpg|Raj Bhavan from South Gate
Raj Bhavan 3.jpg|Raj Bhavan from South Gate
File:Raj Bhaban 2.jpg| Arched gate Raj Bhavan
Raj Bhaban 2.jpg|Arched gate Raj Bhavan
File:Governor's House.jpg|Governor's House in a winter morning
Governor's House.jpg|Raj Bhawan on a winter morning
</gallery>
</gallery>


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Raj Bhavan (West Bengal)}}
{{Commons category|Raj Bhavan (West Bengal)}}
* [http://rajbhavankolkata.nic.in/ The official website of Governor of West Bengal]
* [http://rajbhavankolkata.gov.in/ The official website of Governor of West Bengal]
* {{cite web |url=http://www.acarm.org/view.asp?ItemID=3&tname=tblComponent3&oname=Projects&pg=activities&opt=projects |title=Government House |website=Association of Commonwealth Archivists and Records Managers}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.acarm.org/view.asp?ItemID=3&tname=tblComponent3&oname=Projects&pg=activities&opt=projects |title=Government House |website=Association of Commonwealth Archivists and Records Managers}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/wmward/Misc%20html/govhouse.html |title=Government House, Calcutta |website=William Carey University}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/wmward/Misc%20html/govhouse.html |title=Government House, Calcutta |website=William Carey University}}
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[[Category:Palaces in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Palaces in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Governors' houses in India]]
[[Category:Governors' houses in India]]
[[Category:Government buildings in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Government buildings in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in India]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in India]]
[[Category:Government Houses of the British Empire and Commonwealth]]

Latest revision as of 15:07, 22 March 2026


Lok Bhavan, Kolkata
Front façade of Raj Bhavan
Front façade of Raj Bhavan
Former namesGovernment House (1803–1950)
Raj Bhavan (1950–2025)
General information
Coordinates22°34′02″N 88°20′51″E / 22.567261°N 88.347520°E / 22.567261; 88.347520
Construction started1799
Completed1803
CostRupees 13 lakh (1,300,000)
(£63,300)[1]
OwnerGovernment of West Bengal
Technical details
Floor area7,800 square metres (84,000 square feet)
Design and construction
ArchitectCharles Wyatt
Other information
Number of rooms90
Website
rajbhavankolkata.gov.in

Raj Bhavan, officially known as Lok Bhavan and formerly as Government House (1803–1950) is the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal, R. N. Ravi, located in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal.

Built in 1803 during the Company rule in India, it became the official residence of the Viceroy of India in 1858 after the transfer of power from the Company to the British Crown. With the shifting of the Indian capital from then-Calcutta to New Delhi in 1911, it became the official residence of the Governor of Bengal (now West Bengal) and has served the same purpose since.

History[edit | edit source]

Illustration of Government house in 1855
Government House, South Front, photographed by Samuel Bourne

In the early nineteenth century, Calcutta was at the height of its golden age. Known as the City of Palaces or St. Petersburg of the East, Calcutta was the richest, largest and most elegant colonial city of India.[2]

Before 1799, the Governor-General of India resided in a rented house, called "Buckingham House", located in the same location. The land belonged to Mohammad Reza Khan, a Nawab of Chitpur.[3] In 1799, the 1st Marquess Wellesley, the then Governor-General, reportedly said that "India should be governed from a palace, not from a country house", and began the construction of a grand mansion.[4]

After four years' construction, it was completed at a colossal cost of £63,291 (about £3.8 million in today's estimate).[5] Lord Wellesley was accused of misusing the East India Company's funds and was eventually recalled back to England in 1805.[6]

After the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown in 1858, it became the official residence of the Viceroy of India, moving here from the Belvedere Estate.[7] In 1892, the Otis Elevator Company installed the first elevator in India in the Raj Bhavan.[8]

The construction of New Delhi as the British Raj's new planned capital began in 1911, with the chief official residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General being eventually moved there too, the new official residence being named Viceroy's House. The Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, who had hitherto resided in Belvedere House, was upgraded to a full governor and his residence transferred to Government House in Calcutta.[9]

Architecture[edit | edit source]

Kedleston Hall

Government House was designed by Capt. Charles Wyatt on the lines of Kedleston Hall, the Curzon family estate in Derbyshire.[10] The building follows a neoclassical style with distinct Baroque overtones. Coincidentally, the most illustrious son of the Curzon family, Lord Curzon, would come to occupy the building as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India exactly 100 years after its construction started (1899-1905).[11] Curzon described Government House as “without doubt the finest Government House occupied by the representative of any Sovereign or Government in the world.”[12]

In the 1860s, Viceroy James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, added the metallic dome to the building. Lord Curzon brought electricity and an elevator (popularly known as the "birdcage lift") to Raj Bhavan.[12]

Arched Gate of the Raj Bhavan

The architectural plan comprises a central core with four radiating wings. The state rooms located in the central core are accessed from the outside by a flight of grand steps on the north. On the south is another portico surmounted by a colonnaded verandah with a dome above. The four wings accommodate the various offices and residential quarters along with four sets of staircases. The plan of the wings allows for a great deal of natural ventilation in the spaces while also permitting views across the gardens. The wings are decorated with large coats of arms.[13]

The Raj Bhavan covers an area of 7,800 square metres (84,000 square feet) and is surrounded by a compound of 11 hectares (27 acres).[14] The Raj Bhavan has six gateways, one each on the north and south and two each on the east and west. The four gates on the east and west have grand archways topped with lions, while the minor archways on the side are topped with sphinxes.[13]

Chinese cannon, Raj Bhavan

The best view of the Raj Bhavan is obtained from the North Gate, which also serves as the main gate. The main entrance, formed by six ionic pillars supporting a pediment, is approached by a long walk past a decorated Chinese cannon presented by Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough.[15] Mounted on a dragon and flanked with minor cannons, this cannon was a trophy taken from Nanking in 1842 after the First Opium War. An inscription on a marble plaque reads "The peace dictated to the Emperor of China under the walls of Nanking by the military force of England and of India."[12]

Interior[edit | edit source]

The three-storey Raj Bhavan building has a massive central area, consisting of large halls with curved corridors on all four sides radiating to detached wings, each constituting a house in itself. Including public halls, there are about 60 rooms in the building.[12]

In 2017, West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi Indianised the names of these suites. The Prince of Wales suite was renamed to Rabindranath Tagore Kaksh; Wellesley Suite to Sagar Kaksh; Dufferin Suite to Kangchenjunga Kaksh; Anderson Suite to Vivekananda Kaksh.[7]

Residential suites[edit | edit source]

The residential portion is divided into four suites. The Prince of Wales Suite in the north-west wing of the first floor hosts the President, Vice President and the Prime Minister of India and heads of state of other nations when they visit the state of West Bengal. The Wellesley Suite is located on the second floor in the north-eastern wing, the Dufferin Suite is on the second floor of north-west wing, and the fourth suite is the Anderson Suite.

Drawing and dining rooms[edit | edit source]

Yellow Drawing Room: Located on the first floor of the Raj Bhavan, this beautiful drawing room has some wonderful paintings.

Blue Drawing Room: An elegantly furnished room used by the governor to meet guests.

Brown Dining Room: Adjacent to the Blue Dining room, it is used for small conferences and meetings.[14]

Halls and banquet rooms[edit | edit source]

Throne Room: The Throne Room contains the throne of Richard Wellesley. Beside it is throne of Tipu Sultan. The room contains oil paintings of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Bidhan Chandra Roy. It also contains the urn used to carry Mahatma Gandhi's ashes.[14]

Council Chamber: The Governor-General once used the Council Chamber to preside over the Executive, and later the Legislative Council. It is now used by the Governor of West Bengal to hold large meetings. A small dining room, known as the Bharat Ratna Room, and a billiard room is located just outside the Council Chamber.

The Marble Hall: Located on the ground floor of the Raj Bhavan, this Hall is used for state and private meetings.

The Banquet Hall: With rows of Doric pillars on each side, flowering chandeliers and black Mahogany tables, the Banquet Hall has entertained eminent guests such as Queen Elizabeth II.

Picture gallery[edit | edit source]

Old photos[edit | edit source]

  • Government House, Calcutta, by John Christian Schetky
    Government House, Calcutta, by John Christian Schetky
  • A View of the Government House from the eastern side-1819. Engraved by R Havell Jr In Views of Calcutta and its Environs by James Baillie Fraser
    A View of the Government House from the eastern side-1819. Engraved by R Havell Jr In Views of Calcutta and its Environs by James Baillie Fraser
  • Calcutta - Government House, South Front, by Samuel Bourne
    Calcutta - Government House, South Front, by Samuel Bourne
  • New Government House at Calcutta by Samuel Davis
    New Government House at Calcutta by Samuel Davis
  • The Government House of Calcutta, bird's eye view, c. 1935
    The Government House of Calcutta, bird's eye view, c. 1935

Present photos[edit | edit source]

  • Raj Bhavan on a foggy winter morning
    Raj Bhavan on a foggy winter morning
  • Raj Bhavan from South Gate
    Raj Bhavan from South Gate
  • Arched gate Raj Bhavan
    Arched gate Raj Bhavan
  • Raj Bhawan on a winter morning
    Raj Bhawan on a winter morning

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Raj Bhavan | Kolkata City Tours".[permanent dead link]
  2. ↑ William, Dalrymple (2002). "White Mughals". Penguin Books. p. 407.
  3. ↑ Das Gupta, Prosenjit (2000). "10 Walks in Calcutta". Harper Collins. p. 5.
  4. ↑ SJM Research Journal. Vol. 25–26. Salar Jung Museum. 1988. p. 24.
  5. ↑ William, Dalrymple (2002). "White Mughals". Penguin Books. p. 346.
  6. ↑ "Richard (Colley), 1st Marquess of Wellesley, KP, Governor General of India, 1804". National Army Museum. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Colonial names removed from Kolkata Raj Bhawan suites". Asian Voice. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "We must continue to listen to the market". The Hindu. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Danvers, F.C. (22 June 2016). Bengal: Its Chiefs, Agents, and Governors. Forgotten Books. pp. 21–22. ISBN 978-1332869954.
  10. ↑ Roy, Nishitranjan,Swasato Kolkata Ingrej Amaler Sthapathya, (in Bengali), pp. 48, 1st edition, 1988, Prtikhan Press Pvt. Ltd.
  11. ↑ Ayers, Sydney (July 2019). "An English Country House in Calcutta: mapping networks between Government House, the statesman John Adam, and the architect Robert Adam". ABE Journal. 14–15.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Desmond, Doig. "An Artist's Impression". The Statesman.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Raj Bhavan, Kolkata Chapter III: The Exterior" (PDF). Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Raj Bhawan, Kolkata on Wheels". Retrieved 21 January 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. ↑ Strathcarron, Ian (2013). The Indian Equator Mark Twain's India Revisited. Dover Publications. p. 109. ISBN 978-0486315805.

External links[edit | edit source]

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