Calcutta GPO ~ Site of Old Fort.

Located on the crossing of Netaji Subhas Road and Koilaghat Street, is located Calcutta’s main or General Post Ofiice (GPO). General Post Office (GPO) is one of the famous landmark of the city of Calcutta (Kolkata). Built in 1868 (construction started in 1864) the majestic building was designed by Walter B. Grenvile.

General Post Office (GPO), Calcutta (Kolkata)

The majestic building has two wings supported by Ionic – Corinthian pillars and is crowned with a towering dome. Today it operates as the chief post office of West Bengal and contains a Philately Department and a Postal Museum.

Built at the sight of the old Fort William (built in 1700), which was destroyed by Shiraj – ud – Daulah during the “Seige of Calcutta” in 1756.

Left: Plaque mentioning the Brass Plate, Right: Portion of the Brass Plate

Along the eastern staircase of the GPO almost invisible brass plate marks the eastern end of the old Fort William, probably the only remains of the old fort of Calcutta.

In recent years a marble plaque has been put on the Eastern walls of GPO mentioning the Brass Plate but still the almost obliterate brass plate is difficult to spot. Thousand of pedestrians walk pass the GPO everyday ignoring the only remains of the Old Fort of Calcutta.

Reference:

• 10 Wlaks in Calcutta by Prosenjit Das Gupta
• Saswata Kolkata by Nishitranjan Roy

List of my Blog entries on Calcutta (Kolkata)