Bidhan Sarani

Bidhan Sarani (formerly known as Cornwallis Street) is a principal north–south thoroughfare in north part of Kolkata, the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It was named after the first Chief Minister of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy. The road starts from Shyambazar five-point crossing and extends up to MG Road crossing (Barna Parichay Market), after which the street continues as College Street towards the south. Bidhan Sarani encompasses the neighbourhoods of Shyambazar, Hatibagan (Aurobindo Sarani crossing), Hedua (Dani Ghosh Sarani/Abhedananda Road crossing), Shimla (Vivekananda Road crossing), Thanthania and College Street.

History

The three-mile long Maratha Ditch was excavated in 1742 as a protection against the marauding Maratha soldiers then foraging in the countryside but who never came. It was filled up in 1799 to build the Circular Road,Nair, P. Thankappan in ''The Growth and Development of Old Calcutta'', in ''Calcutta, the Living City'', Vol. I, edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, pp. 13–17, Oxford University Press, . that ran from Shyambazar, right around old Kolkata, covering the southern end of the Maidan. It was metalled in the early 19th century. Around the same time, the most important axial thoroughfare from south to north — Wood Street (portion renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Sarani), Wellesley Street (renamed Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Street), Wellington Street (renamed Nirmal Chandra Street), College Street and Cornwallis Street (renamed Bidhan Sarani) — was built by the Lottery Committee.

The Hatibagan Bazar is located on Bidhan Sarani. The street market continues till Aurobindo Sarani crossing and has resulted in congestion of the area.

The Star Theatre located on Bidhan Sarani was famous for over 100 years and during the period nearly 250 Bengali dramas of more than 80 playwrights were performed by different producers. More than 12 Hindi dramas were also staged at the Theatre. Unfortunately a fire destroyed the glorious Star Theatre on 16 October 1991. It has again been built but it has failed to regain its old glory. With six cinema halls — Sree, Uttara, Radha, Rupbani, Bina, Minar, Mitra and Darpana — in a row along Bidhan Sarani the road was considered to be the entertainment hub in the city.

The Bethune College, is situated on Bidhan Sarani near Hedua. The street is also famous for sweetmeat shops like Girish Chandra Dey & Nakur Chandra Nandy.

The Vidyasagar College, a reputed institution is also situated on Bidhan Sarani near Thanthania Kalibari.

Gallery

File:Thanthania Kalibari - Kolkata 7422.JPG, Thanthania Kalibari
File:House Associated with Upendranath Brahmachari 05.jpg, House Associated with Upendranath Brahmachari
File:Bidhan Sarani - Kolkata 2011-10-22 6271.JPG, Busy Crossing of Vivekananda Road with Bidhan Sarani
File:Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House & Cultural Centre - Kolkata 2011-10-22 6264.JPG, Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House & Cultural Centre, Simla
File:Star theatre.JPG, Kolkata Tram route no. 5 passing by Star Theatre, Hatibagan
File:Roadside Snacks Stall - Shyambazar Five-point Crossing - Kolkata 2012-05-19 3083.JPG, Roadside snacks stall on Bidhan Sarani
File:Bidhan Sarani - Shyambazar Five-point Crossing - Kolkata 2012-05-19 3088.JPG, Bidhan Sarani at Shyambazar Five-point crossing
File:A view of Vidyasagar College area in Bidhan Sarani, Kolkata.jpg, Vidyasagar College in Bidhan Sarani

References

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Streets in Kolkata