Metcalfe Hall is a heritage building situated in Kolkata, India, at the junction of Strand Road and Hare Street in the heart of the city's business district. The architecture is reflective of the British imperial architecture at the middle of the nineteenth century, and visually similar to ancient Greek temples.[1] It was built between 1840 and 1844 according to the design prepared by the city magistrate, C.K. Robinson and named after Sir Charles T. Metcalfe, the Governor-General of India, in honour of his efforts towards a free press. The building faces the Hooghly River on the West.[2]

History

Initially, the building housed the Calcutta Public Library collection, formed by Lord Metcalf, then the Governor General, who transferred 4,675 volumes from the library of the College of Fort William.[3] These volumes and donations of books from individuals formed the nucleus of the library, which was created under private auspices. Dwarkanath Tagore was the first proprietor of Calcutta Public Library.[4][5] Presently, the ground floor houses the Asiatic Society's rare foreign journals and manuscripts section,[6] while the first floor houses offices, exhibition galleries and a sales counter of the Archaeological Survey of India.[7]

Architecture

The main entrance from the West comprising a giant flight of stairs has been closed. The building is now accessed through the portico on the East, from the portico on the 'Hare Street'. The building is raised on a solid basement and thirty huge Corinthian pillars support a massive entablature. The columns and colonnade surround the whole building. Internally there are two stories comprising five halls.[8]

22°34′17.5″N 88°20′41″E / 22.571528°N 88.34472°E / 22.571528; 88.34472

References

  1. ↑ Bhattacharya, Eshna (31 March 2026). "From ruins to revival: Two heritage spaces rewriting Kolkata's cultural map". Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  2. ↑ Goodearth, Eicher; Mitra, Swati (2011). Kolkata City Guide. Eicher Goodearth Limited. p. 36. ISBN 9789380262154. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  3. ↑ Carey, W.H. (1882). “The” Good Old Days of Honorable John Company. Argus Press. p. 207. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  4. ↑ ""Historical Background, Calcutta Public Library", National Library of India. Online". Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Macfariane, John; De, Harinath (1904). Catalogue. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Metcalfe Hall", The Asiatic Society. Online.
  7. ↑ Das, Soumitra (25 May 2025). "Art future for city's heritage landmarks: Currency Building, Metcalfe Hall to get makeover". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  8. ↑ Murray, John (1882). Handbook of the Bengal Presidency. John Murray (Firm). p. 106. Retrieved 2 April 2026.

Further reading

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metcalfe_Hall