The Ghats Of Kolkata Can Take You On A Trip Down The City's Long History

These are the historic Ghats of Kolkata, and we tell you all you need to know about them.

The Ghats of Kolkata have often slipped by popular media or popular culture. But they are a part of heritage that we should get to know, especially because they can let us peek into the history. A ‘ghat’ refers to the steps that are built next to a river to let people walk down from the bank to the water easily. For more than a century people have used these to access the river for their everyday needs, from bathing, fetching water, swimming, to getting on and off boats. They also have distinctly cultural and religious significance, as many rituals of Hinduism take place next to the river, at the Ghat. But in the last few decades their relevance have declined steadily. No one really needs to get water from river anymore, or board on boats. But in Kolkata, there still a sense of attachment to these ghats, lending them some significance. The Hoogly river runs through the side of city, and with it the many ghats on its bank are still visited by people and tourists. Here is the story of these iconic Ghats of Kolkata. 

Princep Ghat

Princep Ghat Kolkata

Princep Ghat - [Credits : WIkimedia Commons]

Princep is perhaps the most popular ghat in Kolkata, at least in terms of pop culture. The white pillared monument next to the ghat has become quite iconic, even appearing in a range of popular media like films, photoshoots, and music videos. You need only watch the Bollywood film Parineeta to see Saif Ali Khan play the piano, while Vidya Balan graces us with her presence, all at the Princep Monument. The scene is preceded by a boat ride by the Princep Ghat. The ghat was built in 1843, with the the Palladian porch designed by W. Fitzgerald being constructed in the memory of the Anglo-Indian scholar James Prinsep. Aside from the magnificent monument, the reason for the popularity of this place is thanks to the view of the river, and the Vidyasagar Setu in the background, often lit up. There is also a walking path, shaded by trees on both side that follows the river bank. If a tourist-y affair is one you desire, then Princep Ghat is your place. 

Babughat

Babughat baboo ghat kolkata

Babughat - [Credits : @worldofsharbari/Instagram]

Next on our list is Babughat, sometimes written as Baboo Ghat. The ghat, named after Babu Raj Chandra Das, is one of the oldest ghats in the city. Das was a zamindar, a wealthy man during the colonial era, and this particular ghat was built in his memory by his wife Rani Rasmoni in 1830. Both were popular historical figures in the city’s history. Built during a time when the Doric-Greek architecture was extremely popular in British Empire, this ghat was also built in the same style. Baboo Ghat today is a crowded place, as it is used as a jetty to ferry passengers and vendors who are crossing the Hoogly River to reach Howrah Station. 

Armenian Ghat

Armenian Ghat Kolkata old photo

Armenian Ghat Kolkata - [Credits : PuronoKolkata]

The Armenians were one of the earliest foreign settlers who came to Calcutta, a port city back in the day. This particular ghat was built by one of these Armenian settlers, a famous Calcutta trader by the name of Manvel Hazaar Maliyan in 1734. Since then it has been known as the Armenian Ghat. The ghat is renowned for its beautifully designed iron structure, which exudes grace and is a great place to visit in the city. There are also a few ferries that take can take you across the river to Howrah every hour or so. The open area amphitheatre where wrestlers practiced kushti (wrestling) in the early mornings is still a popular spot in to visit. 

Bagbazar Ghat

Baghbazar Ghat Kolkata

Baghbazar Ghat - [Credits : Flicker/SandraLN]

Once called ‘Rogo Meeter's Ghat,’ after Raghu Mitra, the son of Gobindram Mitra, Baghbazar Ghat is one of the city's oldest.  Gobindram Mitra, called the “Black Zemindar” due to his Indian birth and dark colouring was the second Indian deputy collector. He became renowned not only for the massive amount of wealth he accumulated, but also for holding immense power within the system after he took his position as zamindar in the early days of the East India Company. The ghat later became known as Baghbazar, with a jetty next to it to carry passengers to the opposite bank of the river. It is still in use by people who bathe in it and come to collect the holy water from the Hoogly, which is a considered a part of the Ganges. It is also used for performing religious ceremonies, and for loading and unloading of local boats. The ghat has another specific section called Mayer Ghat, which is a bathing area that was used by religious and cultural figure Ma Sharada.

Outram Ghat

Outram Ghat Kolkata

Outram Ghat - [Credits : @i_m_dabbu/Instagram]

Outram Ghat, built in the late 19th Century is dedicated to Sir James Outram. Sir James was a foot soldier in the British East India Company, but rose through ranks to become a general. During the colonial era, the ghat saw many ships sailing to East Bengal and Burma, and acted as an important port. It is located to the south of Babughat, and today sports many street food spots that are extremely popular. The proximity to places like Victoria Memorial, Maidan, Millennium Park and Race Course make it a perfect place to visit if you are sightseeing. You can also hire boats, to take go on boat rides on the Hoogly. It is also very important in terms of cultural traditions, as the immersion ceremony during Durga Pujo also takes place here. 

Mallick Ghat

Mallick Ghat, Chatulal Ghat Kolkata

Mallick Ghat, Chatulal Ghat - [Credits : @mayukh_snaps/Instagram]

Mallick Ghat was built by Ram Mohun Mallick (son of Nayan Chand) in the year 1855. The famous 130-year-old Mallick Ghat flower market, possibly the largest in the country, sits at this historic ghat. It’s situated exactly beneath the Howrah Bridge, giving it an added layer of beauty and charm. The wholesale flower market at this ghat is the primary reason to visit the place. With its riot of colours, it is the perfect scene for photographers to capture. In fact any artist’s soul will feel touched by inspiration by the various sights, smells, and sounds of this bustling market. In many places the same ghat is referred to as the Chotulal Ghat, which once had a grand pavilion, including an impressive dome. The old glory of the ghat has since been lost, with many not even knowing of its existence.

Jagannath Ghat

Jagannath Ghat Kolkata

Jagannath Ghat - [Credits : noisebreak.com]

The Jagannath Ghat gets its name from the Jagannath Temple next to it, both built by the famous trader Shobharam Basak, who made enormous wealth selling textiles to the East India Company. The ghat is especially known for its European-style architecture, and is located close to the Mallick Ghat.  Today the ghat sees visits by tourists and photographers, who come to see the river and the architecture of the ghat itself. In all likeliness, the ghat, with a drum like structure on top, was built in the 1760s. 

Chandpal Ghat

Chandpal Ghat Kolkata

A painting of Chandpal Ghat - [Credits : British Library Online]

Named after a small shopkeeper of the ghat, Chandpal Ghat was once the busiest ferry ghat of Calcutta. Until the railways became the most proliferate medium of transport in the country, the ghat was used extensively. Sir Philip Francis and his fellow Councillors of the Supreme Council of India under the East India Company, disembarked here in 1774, making it a place of importance in the Colonial era. Even Lord Cornwallis, the first Governor General of India, landed here at on September 12, 1786. As the prominence of Calcutta rose, as a trading post, so did the buzz and activity at this ghat. There is still a ferry service from Chandpal Ghat, with two active jetties, one to Howrah and the other to Ramkrishnapur and Shibpur.

Header and social image courtesy: @saifee_art/Instagram

Vertical image courtesy: @weatherindia/Instagram 

Read More: Historical Places In Kolkata


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