“Did you know that this magnificent structure was once a prison?” I ask. The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata stands before you. A breathtaking monument. It’s a testament to a bygone era. A place where history whispers secrets in the breeze.
The Victoria Memorial wasn’t always a museum. It was built in memory of Queen Victoria. The foundation stone was laid in 1906. It opened to the public in 1921. This grand memorial was designed by Sir William Emerson. A blend of Mughal and European styles. It’s a truly remarkable feat of architecture.
Before the Memorial’s construction a jail stood here. The Presidency Jail. Locals called it Harrinbari. It housed criminals. Conditions were appalling. Families of inmates often lived with them. James Augustus Hickey a famous inmate started India’s first newspaper. The jail moved in 1906. The old structure was demolished to make way for this colossal monument.
Funding for the Victoria Memorial came from the Indian people. Queen Victoria died in 1901. Lord Curzon the Viceroy envisioned a grand monument. Donations poured in. Over 76,00,000 rupees went into its construction.
The construction itself was carried out by Messrs Martin & Co. of Calcutta. A partnership including the Bengali Sir Rajen Mookerjee. Their work was so impressive that they built the entire monument. The Victoria Memorial cost 7,000,000 rupees. It used 200,000 cubic feet of marble. The marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan. The same marble used in the Taj Mahal.
After India’s independence. A National Leaders Gallery was added. It showcases portraits and relics of freedom fighters. This restored national pride to a structure built to honor a colonial ruler.
Look closely. At the top of the dome sits the Angel of Victory. A beautiful black bronze angel. She holds a bugle. This weather vane rotates with the wind.
The Victoria Memorial isn’t just a building. It’s a story. A story of a jail. A story of colonial rule. A story of Indian pride. A story waiting to be discovered. A story only partially revealed to you today. Enjoy the rest of your visit.