| Kalkota, formerly called Calcutta, is the capital of | | | | because of its many beautiful palaces and was the |
| the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in | | | | capital of British India in 1772. By the early 19th century, |
| eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. | | | | Kolkata was split into two distinct areas—one British |
| When referred to as "Kolkata", including it’s | | | | (known as the White Town), the other Indian (known |
| suburbs, its population exceeds 15 million, making it | | | | as Black Town).The city and its port were bombed |
| India's third-largest city. This also makes it the world's | | | | several times by the Japanese during WWII. In 1946, |
| 14th largest metropolitan area. It is the main economic | | | | demands for a Muslim state led to the death of 2,000 |
| and financial hub of East India. | | | | people in this city. This, and similar uprisings throughout |
| The name Kolkata and the anglicised name Calcutta | | | | India, led to the creation of East and West Pakistan, |
| have their root in Kalikata, the name of one of the | | | | East Pakistan eventually becoming Bangladesh, and |
| three villages in the area before the arrival of the | | | | West Pakistan, Pakistan. Both countries are |
| British. "Kalikata", in turn, is believed to be a version of | | | | predominantly Muslim, in contrast to India whici |
| Kalikshetra (Land of [the goddess]Kali). Alternatively, | | | | spredmoninatly Hindu. Muslims fled to East and West |
| the name may have been derived from the Bengali | | | | Pakistan, and Hindus, to what is now India. India is |
| term kilkila ("flat area"). Or, the name may have its | | | | approximately 10% Muslim today, Bangladesh is over |
| origin in the indigenous term for a natural canal, Khal, | | | | 97% Muslim. |
| followed by Katta (which may mean dug). | | | | Key elements of Kolkata's cuisine include rice and |
| While the city's name was always pronounced | | | | macher jhol (fish curry), with rasagolla, sandesh and |
| "Kolkata" in the local Bengali Language , its official | | | | mishti doi (sweet yoghurt) as dessert. Bengal's vast |
| English name was only changed from "Calcutta" to | | | | repertoire of fish-based dishes includes various hilsa |
| "Kolkata" in 2001, reflecting the Bengali pronunciation. | | | | preparations (a favorite among Bengalis). Street foods |
| Some view this as a move to erase the legacy of | | | | such as beguni (fried battered eggplant slices), kati roll |
| British rule. | | | | (flatbread roll with vegetable or chicken, mutton, or egg |
| This change has not always been reflected by | | | | stuffing), phuchka (deep fried crêpe with tamarind |
| overseas media. While news sources like the BBC | | | | and lentil sauce) and Chinese food from China Town in |
| have opted to call Bombay Mumbai, Kolkata remains | | | | the eastern parts of the city are quite popular. |
| Calcutta. Many Indians also refer to the city by its | | | | Bengali women commonly wear the sha?i as per |
| British name. | | | | tradition as well as global/western outfits. Among men, |
| Calcutta served as the capital of India during the British | | | | western dressing has greater acceptance. |
| Raj until 1911. Once the centre of modern education, | | | | Cricket, football, (soccer) and hockey are popular |
| industry, science, culture and politics in India, Kolkata has | | | | sports in the city. Kolkata is one of the major centres |
| witnessed intense political violence, clashes and | | | | of football (soccer) activity in India. Kolkata is known as |
| economic stagnation since 1954. Since the year | | | | mecca of Indian football. |
| 2000, there has been a measure of economic | | | | The city is also noted for its appreciation of Indian |
| rejuvenation. Like other metropolitan cities in India, | | | | classical music as well as Bengali folk music such as |
| Kolkata continues to struggle with the problems of | | | | baul. From the early 1990s, there has been an |
| urbanisation: poverty, pollution and traffic congestion. | | | | emergence and popularization of new genres of |
| Kolkata is noted for its revolutionary history, ranging | | | | music, including fusions of baul and jazz by several |
| from the Indian struggle for independence to the leftist | | | | Bangla bands, as well as the emergence of what has |
| and trade union movements. Kolkata is also known | | | | been called Jeebonmukhi Gaan (a modern genre |
| worldwide for its many bridges that link the city to its | | | | based on realism) by music-artists like Kabir Suman, |
| sister city of Howrah. Kolkotta, part of East India, | | | | Anjan Dutta, and bands like Chandrabindoo, Cactus, |
| was the birthplace of Buddhism, which later spread to | | | | Lakkhichhara, Fossils and Insomnia. |
| the further East, and gradually dissipated in India itself. In | | | | While at one time Kolkotat had a reputation for being |
| the 17th Century the Portuguese were in Chittagong, | | | | unbearably dirty, in recent years, with economic |
| India, what is now Bangladesh. This helps explain why | | | | resurgence in India, it has become a more developed |
| the language of Bengali has many Portuguese words | | | | city, very tolerable and somewhat pleasant. Kolkota is |
| (such as chabe-Bengali chave-Portuguese, word for | | | | most well-known for the Italian missionary nun, Mother |
| key, janala, which means window, with slightly different | | | | Theresa, who ministered to the poor, but it also has a |
| spelling, in both languages, as just two examples). | | | | rich literary heritage. |
| Kolkata is decribed as “the city of palaces,” | | | | |