Curzon Gate | |
---|---|
Alternative names | Bijoy Toran |
General information | |
Location | Bardhaman, India |
Coordinates | 23°14′25″N 87°52′03″E / 23.2404°N 87.8675°E |
Construction started | 1902/1903 |
Owner | Public Works Department, Government of West Bengal |
The Curzon Gate is a prominent landmark in Bardhaman city in Purba Bardhaman district in West Bengal, India. It is located at the crossing of Bijoy Chand Road and Grand Trunk Road.[1]
History
It was built in 1902/1903, on the occasion of the coronation of Maharaja Bijay Chand Mahatab as ruler of the Bardhaman Raj. The gate is located on the Grand Trunk Road. The former royal palace is located 1 km from the gate.[2][3][4]
The pomp and grandeur of Lord Curzon’s visit to Bardhaman in 1904 established the name of the gate as Curzon Gate.[2]
The gate arch is supported by eight circular columns. Three female figurines, with swords, boats, and sheaves of corn in their hands, on the arch signify progress in agriculture and commerce. There are twenty-one circles with twenty-one illustrations at the top portion of the gate. Due to presence of stars in the gate it was initially named 'Star Of India' when it was built. The structure was constructed by masons from Italy.[2]
After the Bardhaman Raj was incorporated into the newly independent India, the gate was referred to as Bijoy Toran, but it is still popularly known as Curzon Gate, with the Bengali pronunciation – Karjon Gate.[5][4] Since 1974, the gate has been maintained by the Public Works Department of the Government of West Bengal.[2][6]
References
- ^ "Curzon Gate in Bardhaman, Places Near Curzon Gate Bardhaman". www.bardhamanonline.in. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Census of India 2011: District Census Handbook, Barddhaman, Series-20, Part-XIIB" (PDF). Motif. Diretorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
- ^ "Curzon Gate, Bardhaman". Weekend Destinations. Holidify. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
- ^ a b Datta, Rangan (23 November 2021). "Day trip: Tracing history in Burdwan". The Telegraph. My Kolkata. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Lord Curzon Gate | Purba Bardhaman District , Govt. of WB | India". Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "'ছিল এই সব?' কার্জন গেট দেখিয়ে প্রশ্ন সায়নীর, ঐতিহ্য নিয়ে আলটপকা মন্তব্যে ক্ষোভে ফুঁসছে বর্ধমান". Eisamay (in Bengali). Retrieved 5 January 2024.