Kolkata's English History - European Calcutta Tour
Overview
This is a history and heritage tour which is all about English history. Sign up for this one if you are really into English history. This tour also lends itself to exploring the European Architecture of the city.
This tour works for both non-photographers and photographers alike. Even if you love photography you do not need fancy cameras to sign up for this tour. Anything that you are comfortable with photographing with, works. If it makes you happy, we are happy!
Photography options are however limited to architecture and "city life". If you are looking to go deeper into the city we recommend you signing up for our Culture Kaleidoscope Tour
If English history does not excite you look for other options that we offer.
PLEASE NOTE: Unless there is a scheduled tour, the minimum requirement for the tour is 2 pax. If you are single traveller, please message us.
P.S. Drop us a message if the mentioned start times do not work for you. Maybe we can schedule according to your convenience.
This tour works for both non-photographers and photographers alike. Even if you love photography you do not need fancy cameras to sign up for this tour. Anything that you are comfortable with photographing with, works. If it makes you happy, we are happy!
Photography options are however limited to architecture and "city life". If you are looking to go deeper into the city we recommend you signing up for our Culture Kaleidoscope Tour
If English history does not excite you look for other options that we offer.
PLEASE NOTE: Unless there is a scheduled tour, the minimum requirement for the tour is 2 pax. If you are single traveller, please message us.
P.S. Drop us a message if the mentioned start times do not work for you. Maybe we can schedule according to your convenience.
Inclusions
- All Fees and Taxes
- Bottled water
- Coffee and/or Tea - Local chai
- Snacks - Street side local food
- Entry/Admission - BBD Bagh
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: BBD Bagh, south of Howrah Bridge also known as Lal Dighi, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700001 India
Dalhousie Square, now known as B. B. D. Bagh was what was once the central business district. It was the nerve centre of Job Charnock’s Calcutta.Rudyard Kipling in his “A Tale of Two Cities” writes :
This tour – which serves as a wonderful introduction to the city - takes you through the hows and whys of Calcutta helping you retrace the steps that gave birth to this second city of the Empire. Liberal doses of history with lots of photographic opportunities. Calcutta which was once tipped as not only the handsomest town in Asia but one of the finest in the world is an enigma waiting to be discovered.
Come and see the past come alive on this tour with us.
We will be witnessing history as told by the great buildings like Great Eastern Hotel, Dead Letter Office, Currency Office, St. Andrew’s Church, Writers Building, General Post Office, Royal Insurance Building, Lal Dighi, Standard Life Insurance, Government House, St. John’s Church, Job Charnock’s Mausoleum, Holwell Monument. Etc.
Duration: 3 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: BBD Bagh, south of Howrah Bridge also known as Lal Dighi, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700001 India
Dalhousie Square, now known as B. B. D. Bagh was what was once the central business district. It was the nerve centre of Job Charnock’s Calcutta.Rudyard Kipling in his “A Tale of Two Cities” writes :
This tour – which serves as a wonderful introduction to the city - takes you through the hows and whys of Calcutta helping you retrace the steps that gave birth to this second city of the Empire. Liberal doses of history with lots of photographic opportunities. Calcutta which was once tipped as not only the handsomest town in Asia but one of the finest in the world is an enigma waiting to be discovered.
Come and see the past come alive on this tour with us.
We will be witnessing history as told by the great buildings like Great Eastern Hotel, Dead Letter Office, Currency Office, St. Andrew’s Church, Writers Building, General Post Office, Royal Insurance Building, Lal Dighi, Standard Life Insurance, Government House, St. John’s Church, Job Charnock’s Mausoleum, Holwell Monument. Etc.
Duration: 3 hours
Additional information
- Infants must sit on laps
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- All guides have been fully vaccinated.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Proteeti
March 2020
This was my most anticipated walk with Calcutta Photo Tour since I walked with them in their Culture Kaleidoscope walk. The tour started early morning from the Great Eastern Hotel and from the very beginning you will be taken to the era of first British settlement in Calcutta.... oh, to be precis...
This was my most anticipated walk with Calcutta Photo Tour since I walked with them in their Culture Kaleidoscope walk. The tour started early morning from the Great Eastern Hotel and from the very beginning you will be taken to the era of first British settlement in Calcutta.... oh, to be precise even before the city of Calcutta even excised! This walk is not only a journey through the British Calcutta, but being an Calcuttan myself, for the first time, I tend to look at my city through the eyes of a young ambitious British lad who left his home and traveled thousands of miles across sea for six months to conquer his dream. Manjit is terrific in telling stories... in spite of all your preconceived ideas and opinion, you could relate to their struggles and hardships. The chronology of events that look place in that piece of land that changed the fate of India for ever... Manjit is immensely knowledgeable in his subjects and he will not left any stone unturned. Every minute of this tour was gripping! This tour will also take you through the magnificent gallery of old British architectures with plenty of opportunities for photography. If you are into history, stories, architecture and photography you can't afford to miss this gem from Calcutta Photo Tours.iwanj2019
June 2023
This tour become a compulsory part of joining our project in this fascinating city as a way of orienting people to life in Calcutta. Everyone loved it!
This tour become a compulsory part of joining our project in this fascinating city as a way of orienting people to life in Calcutta. Everyone loved it!Trek34894703859
June 2023
Manjit was an exceptional tour guide. His genuine passion for history, photography, architecture and people made it an extremely enjoyable experience. Would definitely recommend to do this tour, if you’re interested learning about how Calcutta came to be.
Manjit was an exceptional tour guide. His genuine passion for history, photography, architecture and people made it an extremely enjoyable experience. Would definitely recommend to do this tour, if you’re interested learning about how Calcutta came to be.sarbarib
June 2023
This tour was a great introduction to Kolkata’s history with a focus on its colonial past. We went on a fun and engaging ramble around the BBD Bag area, covering some historical figures and interesting buildings along the way. Manjit made the walk come alive with many interesting anecdotes and f...
This tour was a great introduction to Kolkata’s history with a focus on its colonial past. We went on a fun and engaging ramble around the BBD Bag area, covering some historical figures and interesting buildings along the way. Manjit made the walk come alive with many interesting anecdotes and facts! For example, do you know the location of the first Italian restaurant in Kolkata? Go on the tour and you too shall know the answer! Highly recommended!rahulb953
December 2021
An excellent introduction to the Colonial settlement in Bengal, particularly the British and the foundation of Calcutta, it’s architecture and orientation into the old ‘business center’ of the city or white town. It is amazing how much of the original town is still there at varying levels of repa...
An excellent introduction to the Colonial settlement in Bengal, particularly the British and the foundation of Calcutta, it’s architecture and orientation into the old ‘business center’ of the city or white town. It is amazing how much of the original town is still there at varying levels of repair! Manjit passionately showed us around and pointed at traces of history scattered and hidden around in the ubiquitous cacophony and filth. Added bonus was recommended street stalls serving all that you wanted to taste but never sure whether it would be safe to do so. Highly recommended for the tourist as well as the local or someone returning to trace their roots!tongi
November 2021
I've done this tour a few times pre COVID but the system won't let me put earlier dates. If you're interested in history this is a great way to get a sense of the city's modern history - East India Company onwards. So there's bad and good in this story in terms of English and European involvement...
I've done this tour a few times pre COVID but the system won't let me put earlier dates. If you're interested in history this is a great way to get a sense of the city's modern history - East India Company onwards. So there's bad and good in this story in terms of English and European involvement in the city, but related via accessible and engaging anecdotes. There's a bit walking but that's the best way to get to know the place. I've enjoyed this tour each time I've done it - in particular the built heritage. Recommended.