|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There
are several places here that are worth a visit. |
|
 |
|
 |
One of these is the Fort
Gustavus, built in 1628 by the Dutch on land given to them by the
Nawab of Bengal. By the mid-17th century, Armenian colonies also grew up
in Chinsurah. |
|
|
|
|
A major tourist attraction is the Octagonal Dutch Church built in 1768.
A little to the west of the Church is a Dutch cemetery. The remains of
three East India Company barracks can still be seen here.
|
|
|
Another important place is the Bandemataram
House on Joraghat. |
|
|
|
|
|
This was the residence of the great Bengali
novelist and poet, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, during his tenure as
the District Magistrate of Hooghly. |
|
|
|
|
This was where he had composed
Bandemataram, the national song of India.
|
|
|
Another
main attraction here is the Church
of our Lady of Bandel, the oldest church in Bengal. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Roman
Catholic Church is one of eastern India's oldest churches, and still a
major centre of Catholic pilgrimage. Consecrated by Portuguese
Augustinian friars in 1599, it was destroyed by the Mughals during the
brief reign of Shahjahan, and was rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1640. It
was declared a basilica in 1988. |
|
|
|
The Imambara, a Shia Muslim
pilgrimage, is located two kilometers away from the Church, on the banks
of the Hooghly River.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It was built by Haji Mohammad Mohsin in 1861, at a
cost of 2,75,000 rupees. The sundial in the garden is of interest to
most visitors, and the 35-m. high clock tower offers a wonderful view. |
|
|
|
|
Inside the Imambara, the walls are adorned by quotes from the Koran,
carved in marble. Muslim festivals, particularly Muharram, are
celebrated every year with great splendour.
|
|
|
We
are constantly striving to put together a detailed list of places of
interest with histories. Please check back soon!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
