Assembly House

Hidden behind its veil of trees and railings, the Assembly House in Kolkata often goes unnoticed. Yet, this grand structure holds within its walls the echoes of Bengal’s political dramas. The Assembly House isn’t named after Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, as some believe. “Bidhan Sabha Bhawan” simply means “Legislative House”. Its story began in 1862, not here, but in Belvedere, the Lieutenant Governor’s palace. It wasn’t until 1931 that the Assembly House, as we see it today, opened its doors. Imagine the scene: Sir Stanley Jackson, the Governor of Bengal, inaugurating a building completed in just under three years. A hefty price tag of Rs. 21,34,000, a testament to its grandeur. The Assembly House is a blend of East and West, its design reflecting both oriental and occidental influences. The copper-plated dome whispers tales of Lucknow’s Imambara, while the overall structure evokes the Maharaja of Jaipur’s Delhi townhouse, now an art gallery. Picture the legislators entering through the grand south portico, the very entrance used during sessions. Inside, the circular chamber, a vast space of 4300 sq.ft., awaits. Visualize 300 members gathered, the speaker presiding, the galleries filled with onlookers. Teak furniture, built-in and sturdy, stands ready. A sea-green electrolier hangs from the dome, casting a soft glow. Beyond the chamber, a passage leads to offices and the lobby, adorned with portraits of leaders and freedom fighters. Separate chambers for the Speaker, Chief Minister, and Leader of the Opposition speak of power and responsibility. Two committee rooms bear the names of former speakers, Sir Azizul Haque and Shri Bejoy Kumar Banerjee. Another room honors Syed Nausher Ali, the Assembly’s second speaker. Even the Mace, carried before the Speaker, has a story. Introduced in 1934, it once bore the British Crown, now replaced by the Ashoka Stambha on Lotus. A symbol of changing times. A red fire alarm in the south portico offers a glimpse into Kolkata’s past. A relic of Captain Westbrook’s fire brigade reforms in 1910, it connected fire scenes directly to headquarters. The Assembly House is more than just a building. It is a silent observer, a keeper of secrets, a stage for Bengal’s political narrative. From pre-independence debates to the rise and fall of governments, it has witnessed it all.