Because of its colonial past, Kolkata features many heritage structures, such as dramatic Victorian buildings, ornamental pools, stone-paved footpaths, and figured lampposts. The Indian Museum, the nation’s oldest museum established in 1814, houses large collections of rare antiques, ornaments, fossils, skeletons, mummies, and Mughal paintings.

 

The city is regarded as the intellectual and cultural capital of India. Some even consider it to be the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thought. It is home to three Nobel Prize laureates--writer Rabindranath Tagore who was Asia’s first Nobel laureate, physicist C. V. Raman; and economist Amartya Sen. Film director, Satyajit Ray, who received an honorary Oscar in 1992 for Lifetime Achievement, was born in Kolkata and made cinematic masterpieces set in his beloved hometown.

 

Tourists who visit this eclectic city can choose from dozens of venues that showcase Bengali dance, poetry, art, music, film and theatre. There are many restaurants for those who want to sample Bengali cuisine. Kolkata’s transport system is well-connected, making the city a great gateway to other destinations.