Curzon_Gate, Bardhamanen, West bengal. wikipedia.org |
1942. Curzon_Gate, Bardhamanen, West bengal. wikipedia.org |
Built in 1902-1903 at the crossing of Bijoy Chand Road and Grand Trunk Road as a mark of honor of the visit of the Viceroy of India Lord Curzon to this city on the occasion of the coronation of Maharaja Bijay Chand Mahatab, it is located in a prime locality. The ruler's former royal palace is about one kilometer from the gate. The viceroy's visit to this place in 1904 was one of great pomp and colorful, befitting his hugest position in British India whose head was the British Crown.
A fine piece of simple architecture, reflecting the grandeur of colonial administration, the gate arch is supported by eight circular columns. On the arch one can notice three female figurines, with swords, boats, and sheaves of corn in their hands, signifying progress in agriculture and commerce in this part of the sub continent. An interesting feat is the presence of twenty-one circles with twenty-one illustrations at the top portion of the gate. The entire structure was built by masons specially brought from Italy for this purpose.
Location map.Bardhaman /thementalclub.com |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curzon_Gate,_Bardhaman
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Tit-bits- Lord Curzon:
Lord Curzon, as Viceroy of India, en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, (11 January 1859–20 March 1925) was a famous British administrator in the late colonial era. He was also known as Lord Curzon of Kedleston (between 1898 and 1911), and as Earl Curzon of Kedleston (between 1911 and 1921). Commonly known as Lord Curzon, he was a British Conservative statesman and in that capacity he served as Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. He became a controversial figure during his tenure here as he created the territory of Eastern Bengal and Assam. it is said it was done along the communal line as East Bengal had the largest Muslim population. He also served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 1919 to 1924.
A major famine coincided with Curzon's time as viceroy In India in which 1 to 4.5 million people died. His frugal economic policy was a subject of criticism during this tough time. Though he opened up famine relief works that fed between 3 and 5 million and reduced taxes, he also cut back rations that he characterized as "dangerously high" and stiffened relief eligibility by reinstating the Temple tests.
Lord Curzon died in London on 20 March 1925 at the age of 66. His coffin, made from the same tree at Kedleston that had encased his first wife, Mary, was taken to Westminster Abbey and from there to his ancestral home in Derbyshire. Here, he was interred beside Mary in the family vault at All Saints Church on 26 March.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Curzon,_1st_Marquess_Curzon_of_Kedleston