Alipore
Encyclopedia
Alipore is headquarters of South 24 Parganas district
and a neighbourhood in South Kolkata
in the India
n state
of West Bengal
.
Alipore, Kolkata, not to be confused with Alipore, Gujarat
, is one of the poshest and costliest localities in Kolkata
, along with the area Ballygunge. It is flanked by the Tolly Nullah to the north, Bhowanipore
to the east, the Diamond Harbour Road to the west and New Alipore
to the south, bordered by the Budge Budge
section of the Sealdah
South section railway line. The Pin Code of Alipore is Kolkata 700027.
It was in the middle parts of the 18th century that the British began exploring the areas outside their settlements of Fort William and the Dalhousie Square area beyond the Race Course.
The Belvedere Estate
was one of the oldest establishments in Alipore. The then Governor General Warren Hastings
built it for himself and it became the Governor's residence until the Government House came up later. It was about this period of time that Alipore started attracting more and more British settlers who built their huge mansions and bungalows with gardens and Alipore came to be more popular.
In 1820, William Carey built the Agri Horticultural Gardens
behind the Belvedere Estate and added to the charm of the locality. Also, the Alipore Zoological Gardens was thrown open to the public in 1875.
The locality was also witness to the Alipore bomb case
and a spectator to the freedom struggle of the Indian revolutionaries, like Aurobindo Ghosh who were imprisoned at Alipore Jail
.
Post independence of India
, Alipore became popular among the business elite of the city and a large number of them set up home. The Pauls, the Birlas, the Goenkas, the Dalmiyas, the Jalans, the Kotharis - all added weight to the place.
In 1952, the Imperial Library (now renamed the National Library) shifted to its present premises on Belvedere Estate. The Alipore Mint was also inaugurated the same year.
The locality of Alipore is a pristine mix of stately bungalows and villas with sprawling lawns and gardens, mostly belonging to the industrialists and business elites of the city, together with swank apartments and high rise condominiums, aptly complimented with clean tree lined avenues and roads, lush greenery and low pollution count. Several consulates like those of Russia
, Germany
, France
, Italy
and residences of Hon. Consul General of Canada
, Denmark
, Greece
, Peru
, etc are located in Alipore. By the late eighties and nineties other places like New Alipore
and Ballygunge
competed with Alipore as the most elite areas of Kolkata.
Alipore area is bordered by the following roads - AJC Bose Road to the north, D L Khan Road to the East, Diamond Harbour Road to the West and Alipore Avenue to the South.
Alipore area comprises of the following roads & sub localities - Alipore Road, Belvedere Road, Baker Road, Judges Court Road, Burdwan Road, New Road
, National Library Avenue, Penn Road, Alipore Park Road, Ashoka Road, Raja Santosh Road and Ronaldshay Road.
Alipore is served by the Majherhat and New Alipore
railway stations on the Budge Budge
section of Kolkata Suburban Railway
.
The Kalighat station of the Kolkata Metro
as well as the Jatin Das Park station is close to Alipore.
The Enclave, Alipore Road
Others
South 24 Parganas district
South 24 Parganas district is an important district of West Bengal State with its district headquarters in Alipore. It has the urban fringe of Calcutta on one side and the remote riverine villages in the Sundarbans....
and a neighbourhood in South Kolkata
South Kolkata
South Kolkata refers to the southern areas of the city of Kolkata, India. It includes the localities of Bhawanipore, Lansdowne, Park Circus, Ballygunge, Alipore, New Alipore, Tollygunge, Dhakuria, Jodhpur Park, Lake Gardens, Golf Green, Jadavpur, Santoshpur, Garia, Chak Garia, Taratala,...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
.
Alipore, Kolkata, not to be confused with Alipore, Gujarat
Alipore, Gujarat
Alipore is a village near Chikhli, Bilimora in the state of Gujarat in western India. The village is on the Indian National Highway 8, which leads to areas such as Ahwa via Waghai and Vansda, and to the hill station of Saputara....
, is one of the poshest and costliest localities in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, along with the area Ballygunge. It is flanked by the Tolly Nullah to the north, Bhowanipore
Bhowanipore
Bhowanipore or Bhabanipur is the oldest locality of South Kolkata. It is located just south of the Lower Circular Road . It is the second largest locality in South Kolkata after Ballygunge...
to the east, the Diamond Harbour Road to the west and New Alipore
New Alipore
New Alipore is situated just south of Alipore bordered by the Budge Budge section of the Kolkata Suburban Railway between Majherhat and Tollygunge stations - it is bounded by the above railway line to the North, the B.L.Saha Road to the East, Diamond Harbour Road to the West and by Behala to the...
to the south, bordered by the Budge Budge
Budgebudge
Budge Budge is a town and a municipality in South 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.-History:...
section of the Sealdah
Sealdah
Sealdah is one of the major train stations serving Kolkata in India, the others being Howrah Station, Shalimar Station and Kolkata Railway Station. Sealdah is one of the busiest rail stations in India and an important suburban rail terminal...
South section railway line. The Pin Code of Alipore is Kolkata 700027.
History and Development
One of the most historical, eventful and elite localities of the city of Kolkata, Alipore is nearly as old as the city itself.It was in the middle parts of the 18th century that the British began exploring the areas outside their settlements of Fort William and the Dalhousie Square area beyond the Race Course.
The Belvedere Estate
Belvedere Estate
The Belvedere Estate consists of Belvedere House and the 30 acre grounds surrounding it, in which the National Library of India is housed. Its is located near the Alipore Zoological Gardens, in Calcutta...
was one of the oldest establishments in Alipore. The then Governor General Warren Hastings
Warren Hastings
Warren Hastings PC was the first Governor-General of India, from 1773 to 1785. He was famously accused of corruption in an impeachment in 1787, but was acquitted in 1795. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1814.-Early life:...
built it for himself and it became the Governor's residence until the Government House came up later. It was about this period of time that Alipore started attracting more and more British settlers who built their huge mansions and bungalows with gardens and Alipore came to be more popular.
In 1820, William Carey built the Agri Horticultural Gardens
Agri Horticultural Society of India
The Agri Horticultural Society of India was founded in 1820 by William Carey on the Alipore Road, Kolkata. It has a flower garden, greenhouses, a research laboratory and a library. It houses a massive collection of plants and flowers...
behind the Belvedere Estate and added to the charm of the locality. Also, the Alipore Zoological Gardens was thrown open to the public in 1875.
The locality was also witness to the Alipore bomb case
Alipore bomb case
The Alipore Bomb Case was an important court trial, during May 1908 to May 1909, in the history of the Indian Independence Movement. The trial involved more than 37 suspects, following a bomb attack, and was held in Alipore Sessions Court, in Calcutta, India, Judge C.P...
and a spectator to the freedom struggle of the Indian revolutionaries, like Aurobindo Ghosh who were imprisoned at Alipore Jail
Alipore Jail
The Alipore Jail or Alipore Central Jail is a prison in Alipore, Kolkata, where political prisoners were kept under British rule, among them Subhash Chandra Bose. It is still in operation. It also houses the Alipore Jail Press.-Notable inmates:* Sri Aurobindo , imprisoned after the Alipore bomb case...
.
Post independence of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Alipore became popular among the business elite of the city and a large number of them set up home. The Pauls, the Birlas, the Goenkas, the Dalmiyas, the Jalans, the Kotharis - all added weight to the place.
In 1952, the Imperial Library (now renamed the National Library) shifted to its present premises on Belvedere Estate. The Alipore Mint was also inaugurated the same year.
The locality of Alipore is a pristine mix of stately bungalows and villas with sprawling lawns and gardens, mostly belonging to the industrialists and business elites of the city, together with swank apartments and high rise condominiums, aptly complimented with clean tree lined avenues and roads, lush greenery and low pollution count. Several consulates like those of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and residences of Hon. Consul General of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, etc are located in Alipore. By the late eighties and nineties other places like New Alipore
New Alipore
New Alipore is situated just south of Alipore bordered by the Budge Budge section of the Kolkata Suburban Railway between Majherhat and Tollygunge stations - it is bounded by the above railway line to the North, the B.L.Saha Road to the East, Diamond Harbour Road to the West and by Behala to the...
and Ballygunge
Ballygunge
Ballygunge is an upmarket and elite locality in South Kolkata, India. It is flanked by Park Circus in the north, Kasba and the Eastern Railway south suburban line in the east, Dhakuria and the Lakes in the south, and the localities of Bhowanipore and Lansdowne in the west...
competed with Alipore as the most elite areas of Kolkata.
Geography
Alipore is located at 22.53°N 88.33°E. It has an average elevation of 14 metres (46 feet).Alipore area is bordered by the following roads - AJC Bose Road to the north, D L Khan Road to the East, Diamond Harbour Road to the West and Alipore Avenue to the South.
Alipore area comprises of the following roads & sub localities - Alipore Road, Belvedere Road, Baker Road, Judges Court Road, Burdwan Road, New Road
New Road
New Road may refer to:* New Road , England, now part of the London Inner Ring Road* New Road, Oxford, England, location of Oxford Castle* New Road, Worcester, England, home ground of Worcestershire County Cricket Club...
, National Library Avenue, Penn Road, Alipore Park Road, Ashoka Road, Raja Santosh Road and Ronaldshay Road.
Transport
Alipore is connected to all parts of the city by extensive bus services.Alipore is served by the Majherhat and New Alipore
New Alipore
New Alipore is situated just south of Alipore bordered by the Budge Budge section of the Kolkata Suburban Railway between Majherhat and Tollygunge stations - it is bounded by the above railway line to the North, the B.L.Saha Road to the East, Diamond Harbour Road to the West and by Behala to the...
railway stations on the Budge Budge
Budgebudge
Budge Budge is a town and a municipality in South 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.-History:...
section of Kolkata Suburban Railway
Kolkata Suburban Railway
The Kolkata Suburban Railway is the rail system for the suburbs surrounding the city of Kolkata . Railways such as this are important and heavily-used infrastructure in India....
.
The Kalighat station of the Kolkata Metro
Kolkata Metro
The Kolkata Metro or Calcutta Metro is a mass rapid transit system serving the city of Kolkata and the districts of South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas in Indian state of West Bengal. The network consists of one operational line and five lines currently under construction...
as well as the Jatin Das Park station is close to Alipore.
Medical facilities
Some of the best healthcare options in the city is located in Alipore- Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital, Alipore Road
- CMRICMRICMRI is a four letter acronym that can stand for several organisations worldwide;* Congregatio Mariae Reginae Immaculatae , a sedevacantist religious community...
, Diamond Harbour Road - B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre, National Library Avenue
- Kothari Medical Centre, 8/3, Alipore Road
- Command HospitalCommand HospitalCommand Hospitals are major military hospitals in India. There is not more than one in each Command. The Indian defence services have five Command Hospitals...
, Alipore Road
Educational institutions
- IMI, Kolkata, Judges Court Road
- Army institute of management, Kolkata
- University of CalcuttaUniversity of CalcuttaThe University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
, Alipore Campus - Women's Law College, Judges Court Road
- Viharilal College of Home Science, Judges Court Road
- Hastings house (B.Ed. college)
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Command Hospital
- Alipore Tiny Tots (Children's School)
- Lakshmipat Singhania Academy (High School)
Places of interest
- National LibraryNational libraryA national library is a library specifically established by the government of a country to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that country. Unlike public libraries, these rarely allow citizens to borrow books...
, Belvedere Road - Alipore Zoological GardensAlipore Zoological GardensThe Alipore Zoological Gardens is India's oldest formally stated zoological park and a big tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. It has been open as a zoo since 1876, and covers...
, Belvedere Road - Taj Bengal Hotel, Belvedere Road
- National Test House, Judges Court Road
- Alipore Meteorological Office, Judges Court Road
- Presidency Jail, Alipore
- Symantak Nath's House [Part of Alipore Zoo]
- Bhavani Bhavan, CIDCID-Criminal investigation:* Criminal Investigation Department, the branch of British police forces and many other Commonwealth police forces to which plain clothes detectives belong...
Headquarters, Belvedere Road - Syamantak Nath's house [part of Alipore Zoo]
- Agri Horticultural Gardens, Alipore RoadAgri Horticultural Society of IndiaThe Agri Horticultural Society of India was founded in 1820 by William Carey on the Alipore Road, Kolkata. It has a flower garden, greenhouses, a research laboratory and a library. It houses a massive collection of plants and flowers...
- Royal Meat, Judges Court Road
- The Enclave, Alipore Road
- Ocio Club, Belvedere Road
- Hollywood Bowl
- The Old Bungalow, 7/6 Burdwan Road
- City Shoppe, Diamond Harbour Road
- Sparkz Bowling alley, Diamond Harbour Road
- Bhawanipore cemetery
Fine Dining, Restaurants & Eateries
Taj Bengal Hotel, Belvedere Road- The Hub
- Sonargaon
- Chinoiserie
- The Chambers,
- The Junction,
- The Promenade Lounge,
- Grill by the Pool,
- Souk,
- La Patisserie and Deli
The Enclave, Alipore Road
- Red Kitchen & Lounge
- Kookie Jar & Mangio
- Coffee WorldCoffee WorldCoffee World is a premium specialty coffee chain that offers a range of hot and iced coffees with fresh complementary foods such as waffles and sandwiches. It is a part of Global Franchise Architects . Coffee world operates in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Réunion, and Thailand.-History:In late...
- The Cream & Fudge Factory
- The International Cafe
- Bombay Bites
- Upper CrustUpper CrustUpper Crust is an international chain of baguette restaurants concentrated along commuter routes, their outlets are commonplace in stations and terminals. Branches are also present in some Universities in the UK, including City University, London. There are also branches at the central railway...
- Blossoms Square
Others
- Chocolarte, Judges Court Road
- Domino's Pizza, Judges Court Road
- Don Giovanni's Pizza, Diamond Harbour Road
- Garden Cafe, Alipore Road
- Drive Inn Snack Bar, Alipore Road
- Flury's Cafe, Alipore Road