Elegance whispers from every corner of the Marble Palace. This nineteenth-century mansion stands as a testament to a bygone era in North Kolkata. It is located at 46, Muktaram Babu Street. Prepare to be transported back in time as we explore one of Calcutta’s best-preserved houses.
Raja Rajendra Mullick, a wealthy Bengali merchant with a passion for art, built the Marble Palace in 1835. Today, his descendants still reside here. The family of Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur continues to care for this heritage. Before the Marble Palace existed, Nilmoni Mullick, Rajendra’s adoptive father, built a Jagannath temple. It still stands within the grounds but remains accessible only to family members.
The Marble Palace derives its name from its extensive use of marble. The walls, floors, and sculptures showcase this beautiful stone. The architectural style blends Neoclassical and traditional Bengali elements. Open courtyards reflect Bengali design. A thakur-dalan, a place of worship, sits adjacent to the courtyard. The three-story building features tall Corinthian pillars. Ornamented verandas display fretwork. Sloping roofs evoke a Chinese pavilion. Lawns, a rock garden, a lake, and a small zoo also occupy the premises.
Inside the Marble Palace, you will discover a diverse collection. Western sculptures mingle with Victorian furniture. Paintings by European and Indian artists adorn the walls. Large chandeliers illuminate the space. Clocks, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, urns, and royal busts add to the opulence. The Marble Palace proudly houses two paintings by Peter Paul Rubens: The Marriage of St. Catherine and The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian. Some say the collection includes two paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds: The Infant Hercules Strangling the Serpent and Venus and Cupid. Titian, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and John Opie are also believed to be represented.
The Marble Palace incorporates 126 types of marble from around the world. The palace includes five halls. These halls are the Painting Room, Reception Hall, Thakur Dalan, Sculpture Room, and Billiards Room. Experts say the palace’s style is reminiscent of a Chinese pavilion.
Intricate carvings echo the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Statues of Homer, Diana, Venus, Apollo, Praxiteles, Phidias, and Moses grace the hallways. The Music Room features statues of Wellington and Napoleon. Original 19th-century disco ball elements are still in the ballroom. A large Japanese bronze vase stands at the entrance. Full-length Belgian glass mirrors line the walls. The lawns showcase statues of gods from various religions. A marble fountain displays Leda and the Swan.
Nilmani Niketan, the zoo, honors Mullick’s father. It was supposedly the first zoo in India open to the public. The zoo focuses on herbivorous animals. Porcupines, baboons, deer, macaws, and hornbills can be seen. It remains India’s only privately owned zoo.
Access to the Marble Palace requires a permit. You can obtain one from the West Bengal Tourism Information Bureau. Photography is prohibited inside because it remains a private residence. Guides offer tours, but private areas remain off-limits. The Marble Palace is open from 10 am to 4 pm, except on Mondays and Thursdays.
The Marble Palace stands as a unique blend of art, architecture, and history. It offers a glimpse into the opulent past of Kolkata’s elite. A visit here is an unforgettable experience. It showcases the grandeur and eccentricity of 19th-century Calcutta.