From Kathmandu to Kolkata (Calcutta)
In 1690, Job Charnok, an agent of the East
India Company chose this place for a British trade settlement.
The site was carefully selected, being protected by the Hooghly
River on the west, a creek to the north, and by salt lakes about
two and a half miles to the east. There were three large villages
along the east bank of the river Ganges, named, Sutanuti, Gobindapur
and Kalikata. These three villages were bought by the British
from local land lords. The Mughal emperor granted East India Company
freedom of trade in return for a yearly payment of 3,000 rupees.
What was Calcutta like before the British came ?
It was just a village, the capital city of Bengal was Murshidabad,
around 60 miles north of Calcutta. In 1756, Siraj-ud-daullah,
nawab of Bengal, attacked the city and captured the fort. Calcutta
was recaptured in 1757 by Robert Clive when the British defeated
Siraj-ud-daullah on the battle field of Plassy. In 1772, Calcutta
became the capital of British India, and the first Governor General
Warren Hastings moved all important offices from Murshidabad to
Calcutta. Till 1912, Calcutta was the capital of India, when the
British moved the capital city to Delhi. In 1947, when India gained
freedom and the country got partitioned between India and Pakistan,
Calcutta was included in the Indian part of Bengal, West Bengal.
Calcutta became the capital city of the state of West Bengal.
From http://www.calcuttaweb.com
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
In Kathmandu we had to undergo 2 hours of administrative work
before we could take of. The last task was to pay 2 extra Dollars
for prolonged parking, what we appreciated very much as the cashiers
office was a 15 minute walk away from were we where at that time.
We took off for a sightseeing flight to the Himalaya and further
on to Kolkata. The first sight was the Swayambhu Nat Stoup we
visited the night before.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
A view from Kathmandu towards the Himalaya. We where thrilled
to see the Himalaya with its highest peek the Mt.Everest.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
Farmers with terraced acres shape the surroundings of the Kathmandu-Valley.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
An then once we passed 16500 ft, there it was, the Himalayan mountain
range with the Mt. Everst. Here comes a quiz: Who can point us
out the Mt. Everest and some of the other peeks will get a postcard
from our next stopover.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
A town in the foothills of the Himalaya. Impressive landingstrip,
you don't want to come too short on this one.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
The Ganges river in Northern India.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
Closing in on Kolkata. More brick factories lead us the way to
the next bigger city. The mouths of the Ganges leave wather everywhere.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kathmandu to Kolkata
Suburb of Kolkata in the final approach.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kolkata
Modern architecture in Kolkata on the way to our hotel, the Taj
Bengal. A very nice Hotel that has been suggested to us by Margrit
Wipf from the AO-Foundation in Davos.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kolkata
Kolkata, an other colorful city in India. The streets where full
of vendors selling tasty food. In the temple we visited photographs
were strictly prohibited. That was a pity as it was a feast for
the eyes.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kolkata
Traffic was again a battlefield. In Kolkata an other player was
added the Streetcar. Quit a powerful opponent to a TucTuc.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Kolkata
Tickets for sale.
