West Heritage Commission World Heritage Week celebration Heritage trail, 23rd November 2018

The Heritage Commission welcomes you all for taking part in this event. The World Heritage Week from 19-25 November is celebrated all over the globe for the cause of protection and preservation of cultural heritage. The week is celebrated by different institutes through various ways. The Commission has decided to observe the week by organizing a Heritage Trail at a location which is considered as one of the oldest residential areas of Calcutta which dates back to more than 300 years ago. The objective of this is to create awareness among the mass about the glorious history of the city. From the gathering would slowly move according to the route plan and listen the history of the area and the stately mansions that bear the cultural legacy of the city. The trail would take people to the past and help imagine the old setting, lanes, by lanes, scenes etc. of . 1. Jorasanko Thakurbari (Grade I): Nilmoni Thakur, the son of Jayaram moved out from Thakur Bari to this present premise of 6 Dwarakanath Thakur Lane in the year of 1784. This land was donated by the Baishnab Seth Family of area. But the house that we see now is mostly remodelled by Dwarakanath Thakur. He also formed a Baithakhana at 5, Dwarakanath Thakur Lane. After his death, this 6 Dwarakanath Thakur Lane house went to his eldest son Debendranath Thakur and 5 went to Girindranath Thakur. At present it is under Rabindrabharati University and Museum 2. Jorasanko Rajbati (Grade II A): Ramchandra Roy ,the eldest son of Sukhomoy Roy of Posta is the founder of Jorasanko Rajbati scion. Raja Sukhomoy Roy belonged to the famous Naku Dhar ,the banker who gave Robert Clive about 8 lacs of rupees during the time of the . 3. Ghoribari Mullick House (Grade II A): This magnificent mansion, situated at 279, Rabindra Sarani, was originally owned by Madhusudan Sanyal. After transfer of ownership, to Ashutosh Mullick , this palatial building is popularly known as Ghariwala Mallick Bari. This building played a leading role in the movement of Bengali Theatre. Before moving to Rajbari, this was the site of the National Theatre, formed in 1872 for the Bengali theatre groups to perform in public. Dinabandhu Mitra's “Nil Darpan” was first staged here in 7th December, 1872. Ashutosh Mullick bought this house in 1876-77 and with Mackintosh Burn completely remodelled it. The Corinthian Pillars and the round clock were added during this time. One of the brothers of Ashutosh Mullick invented Malaria's Medicine “Gobindasudha” which became very popular during that time. 4. Lohia Matri Sadan (Grade 1): This classic piece of colonial architecture is said to be initially constructed by Shri Krishna Mullick who later on sold it to Harendrakrishna Sil , an important personality of Subarna Banik Samaj and a legendary musician .This property was again bought by another famous Baboo Pradumnya Mallick .He owned about 35 cars amongst which 10 were Rolls Royce. 5. Ramlochan Ghosh House (Grade II A): It is one of the oldest houses of Pathuriaghata . In the early years of 1700, Ram Ram Ghosh of came to for trading and settled down in 46 Pathuriaghata Street. Later on Ramlochan Ghosh made this house immortal. Initially he was a clerk but later on became Dewan during Warren Hasting's time. He used to teach farsi to Warren Hasting's wife and it is said that both of them used to come to this house during . Still now there is a huge oil painting of Hastings hanging in the staircase. 6. Khelat Ghosh House (Grade I): One of the descendants of Shri Ramlochan Ghosh is Shri Khelat Chandra Ghosh who constructed the 47 Pathuriaghata Street House in about 1858. This mansion was famous for its 85 ft long marble corridor and for hosting number of music conferences in the huge Nach Ghar. He was famous for different philanthropic works which included donating the land for Tala Tank. 7. Jadulal Mullick House (Grade II A): Nimai Charan Mullick was born in area of Kolkata in the year of 1736. He was a salt merchant, banker and used to give credits to many businessmen including East Company. In the 3rd battle of Mysore he gave 48 lakhs of rupees to the British. His adopted grandson was Jadulal Mullick, who however protested against the salt tax imposed by British during Lord Dufferin's time and as a Commissioner of Calcutta Municipality did many philanthropic works. The 67 Pathuriaghata Street palace of Jadunath Mullick was made immortal by Shri. Shri. Ramkrishna Paramahansa Deb who attained “Bhab Samadhi” in the courtyard of the building. 8. Nanda Ram Mullick House (Grade II A): This is another piece of magnificent colonial architecture with beautiful Corinthian Pillars situated in the narrow alley of P.K Thakur Street. Nanada ram Mullick belonged to the Baishnab Mullick family of Darpanarayan Tagore Road. 9. Metropolitan Institution for Girls (Grade II B): The building at 10, Prasanna Kumar Thakur Street was built by Gopimohan Thakur of Thakur Family. Gopimohan's youngest son Prasanna Kumar inherited this property. This then passed to the Chattopadhayays on the distaff side. They named the house “Rama Niketan”. In 1866 Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar formed Metropolitan Institution in Sankar Ghosh Lane. As the students increased he created number of branches of the school and Burrabazar Branch came to operate in 1872. In 1923 the school shifted to the present location under a rental agreement and later Vidyasagar Trust bought this in 1954 from . 10. Tagore Castle (Grade IIA) & 11. Tagore Palace (Grade I): This 2 Mackintosh Burn buildings of erstwhile “Naptehata” were constructed during Jotindramohan Thakur. He inherited this land from his uncle Prassanna Kumar Thakur. Tagore Castle was built following the design of Windsor Palace with a clock reminiscent to Big Ben and even got permission to fly Unioin Jack during that time. From 1859-1972 this mansion was the seat of Banga Natyalaya and many plays were staged by eminent personalities. 12. Oriental Seminary: Started in 1829 by the educator Gour Mohan Addy, was the earliest privately run, first-rate school for children of Hindu parents in Kolkata . It was possibly India's first fully private school. According to Jiban Smriti ,Oriental Seminary was the earliest school attended. Text and route map for Heritage trail prepared by Purono Kolkatar Golpo 18/1, 3rd Lane, Kolkata - 700039 Contact No : 9836975449/9830539099 West Bengal Heritage Commission 1 Satyen Roy Road, , Kolkata 700 034, Phone: 2445-0083/2445-0037 e.mail: [email protected]