Cityscapes - Calcutta (03.44 Mins.)
Channel: Indian Diplomacy
Date: 2011-07-07

'Cityscapes' is a six part series on six cities of India representing the diverse nature and histories of cities in India. 'Calcutta' tells the history of the city from its  birth in 1690 with the advent of a merchant of the British East India Company. Built on the banks of the river Hooghly, the city developed as a trading hub of British India in the east to become the most important city of the British Empire outside of London. British traders' quest for political power came in conflict with the Nawabs of Bengal. The influence of this conflict was significant on the culture of the city. In 1912 the city ceased to be the capital of the British Raj, but Calcutta continued to be a centre of cultural creativity. The film traces this glorious history through the archival footage, reconstructed visuals, and memories of renowned artistes of the city.