Victoria Memorial

When we think of Kolkata, one of the first things that comes to mind is the white marbled glorious Victoria Memorial, set amongst beautifully manicured lawns in the heart of the city. This magnificent tribute to Queen Victoria was the brainchild of Lord Curzon. The foundation was laid in 1906 and it was completed and its gates thrown open in 1921.

The walls of the galleries within Victoria Memorial are adorned with works of art depicting the life and times of Queen Victoria and her family. Other galleries display sculptures, weaponry, valuable stamps and coins from that era, along with some prized possessions of the queen like her desk and chair and some scrapbooks. One can also find a few rare books and manuscripts like The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam alongside famous plays written by William Shakespeare.
The monument houses many statues of people who were an integral part of the royal era in India – Queen Victoria herself is resplendent in bronze, seated on a bronze throne and dressed in the robes of Star of India. Among other luminaries are figures of Lord Dalhousie, Lord Hastings, Lord Curzon, Edward VII and more.

Architecturally, the Memorial is an amalgamation of various techniques and styles – Deccan, Islamic, Moghul, British and Venetian. The central dome, the domed towers at the four corners, and the terrace are all examples of this mixed blend. The black Angel of Victory gracing the top of the main dome is unique in itself, made of bronze and able to swing or rotate with the strong winds by virtue of it being fixed on ball bearings. The stamp of British influence is apparent in sculptures dedicated to Motherhood, Architecture, Justice, Learning and Prudence.

The beautiful and lovingly maintained lawns are a superb setting for this testament to the Queen. The Son-et-Lumiere show in the evenings light up the Memorial to make it even more breathtaking. Another popular attraction is available just outside the grounds – colourfully made-up buggies take you for a round for an experience you will not forget.