Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), the city has earned the nickname 'City of Joy' for its soulful embodiment of cultural, love, mystery, respect, enthusiasm and definitely some amazing sweet delicacies. From the Nawabi Mughals to the tech-savvy Google, Kolkata never grew old.
If Mumbai is the city that never sleeps, then Kolkata is the city that never gets tried and dreams on for more joy and happiness.With the changing dynamics of the city life, bangaliyana went through a series of layers to renew its style as the world would deem it to be.
So, here we bring you these 10 lesser known facts about Kolkata which will make you fall in love with Kolkata and you would definitely feel impatient to visit the city of joy.
The Largest Tree in the World
If anyone asks you, where the largest tree in the world in terms of area is covered, and then your answer should be The Great Banyan Tree at Botanical Gardens, Kolkata.
Another astonishing fact for you - the tree is over 250 years old. That's insane, isn't it? You can walk among the shady paths and witness how long this tree has been witnessing the richness of Bengal.
The Oldest Zoo in the Country
From Royal Bengal to the greatest species of animals, the Alipore Zoo is literally something to be proud of. However, little do Kolkatans know that it also happens to be the oldest zoo in the country. Though nowadays it has become the Zoo is became a little dull but the excitement towards this Zoo remained the same.
The Oldest Polo Club in the World
Right now, India might not have such a name in the world of Polo, but surely, it all first started from the city of Kolkata. The world's first polo club was established by the British in Calcutta in 1858. Since then, there have been many competitions and the advent of Europeans to popularize the sport further.
Second Oldest Cricket & Football Club
Let's know something about cricket and football in Kolkata. In terms of the seating area, Eden Gardens is the third largest cricket ground in the world. The Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CCFC) is the second oldest cricket and football club in the world, after the most popular MCC.
To add to that, Calcutta Football League is the oldest football championship help in the country since 1898 and second oldest in the world.Apart from these, Saltlake Stadium is the second largest football ground in the world in terms of the seating area. In 2017 after hosting a FIFA world cup finals Kolkata has gone on to the elite list of Cities that have hosted a Cricket and a Football World Cup Finals.
Largest Planetarium in Asia
Kolkata has always promoted science and technology and the city has seen some of the most renowned scientists coming out of Kolkata. Now, we have Asia's largest planetarium known as Birla Planetarium and it also happens to be the second largest in the world.
Constructed in 1963, it was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru himself. Let us also tell you that Science City is the largest centre for the culture of science in the Indian subcontinent.
The Only City To Have Trams & Tanga
Asia's oldest electric running tram is not in Mumbai or Delhi, but only in Calcutta operating across the City of Joy since 1902. Now, the bygone trams have been revamped and presented with their AC version which makes it further enjoyable and comfortable. It's not just the trams but Kolkata is the only city in the world where you can ride on hand-pulled rickshaws, running on the city streets since the British times.
Largest Second-Hand Book Market
Kolkata is surely a paradise for book lovers. It houses the country's largest second-hand book market and world's second largest. Added fact, National Library is the country's largest and oldest public library.
Oldest And The Only Riverine Port
Indian ports are getting drastically strong and beautiful. With the increase in trade and commerce, the sea and river ports have flourished and emancipated since the times of independence. Despite all these, very few people know that the country's only riverine port is at Hooghly called the Khidderpore Port which also happens to be the oldest port in India.
Literacy Rate
According to the census of 2011 the literacy rate of Kolkata is 87.54%. This figure is way above the national average of 74.04%.
University of Calcutta
This is the first Western-style varsity to impart secular education in Asia! Established in the year 1857, here are some of the luminaries who were closely associated with the university - Rabindranath Tagore, Amartya Sen, C. V. Raman, Satyajit Ray and Aditya Birla.
Apart from these most facts there are so many facts which we missed like Kolkata was the city which invented the very well known Indo-Chinese food as Kolkata is the city to have India’s only Chinatown. And even Kolkata has country’s only and oldest riverine port.
Kolkata is known as the initiator of India’s freedom movement as we have so many great leaders coming out from Kolkata to fight for freedom of India. The people of Kolkata is still is proud of their literature, history and culture with the mixture of modernity and flamboyance.
Written by: Sanjana Chakraborty
Edited by: Gourav Chowdhury
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