Victoria Memorial (India)

The Victoria Memorial, located in Kolkata, India is a memorial of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who also carried the title of Empress of India. It currently serves as a museum and a tourist attraction.

The memorial was designed by Sir William Emerson in an architectural style similar to Belfast City Hall. [ [http://www.kolkatainformation.com/calhert/v_mem.htm kolkatainformation.com] ] Earlier asked to design the building in the Italian Renaissance style, Emerson was against the exclusive use of European styles and incorporated Mughal elements in the structure. Vincent Esch was the superintending architect while Lord Redesdale and Sir David Prain designed the gardens. The work of construction was entrusted to Messrs Martin & Co. of Calcutta.

Built between 1906 and 1921, it is a majestic white marble building at the southern end of the Maidan and surrounded by a sprawling garden. A black bronze Angel of Victory, holding a bugle in her hand was placed at the apex of the dome above the Memorial. It is fixed to its pedestal with ball bearings and acts as a weathercock when the wind is strong enough. Unlike many other monuments of the British Raj in India, it is well maintained.

BBC Report

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the city authorities to adopt a number of measures to protect the city's historic Victoria Memorial from pollution.The court order bans fairs and public gatherings near the monument and removal of traffic signals and car parking spaces.The city's main bus terminal has been given six months to relocate.Made in the early 20th-century, the monument is a memorial to the British monarch, Queen Victoria.It is one of Calcutta's most famous monuments.

Judicial Order

The court order came in response to a petition filed by environmentalist Subhas Dutta who said pollution was ruining the monument.Giving their ruling, Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and RS Bandiopadhyay said no hotel or restaurant around the memorial will be allowed to cook with coal or any other fuel that emits smoke and fumes.The court said they have to use cleaner fuel such as cooking gas.The city's main bus terminus at Esplanade will have to be moved somewhere else, at least three kilometres away from the monument, the judges said.Mr Dutta has welcomed the court order and called upon the West Bengal state government and the Calcutta city municipal authorities to implement the order without any delay."I have reasons to believe the government may try to drag its feet. They should not do that," Mr Dutta said. "This historical monument will be history if this state of affairs continues for another 25-30 years."The pollution has to be checked, also the erosion, as there are already several cracks in the building."The environmentalist filed a case in the High Court after a report by India's Central Pollution Control Board said the elegant marble and sandstone structure was in danger of substantial damage.Mr Dutta demanded that the monument should not be rented out for public and private functions because of risk of damage.The grounds of the memorial were rented out for the wedding ceremony of the son of business tycoon Lakshmi Mittal a few years ago, leading to a public outcry.

The monument was built by British Viceroy Lord Curzon in the memory of Queen Victoria. It is said to be second only to the Taj Mahal in beauty and historical importance.

Picture gallery

References

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* [http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org/index2.html Official Website]
*Victoria Memorial: Pride of Kolkata. Rediff News. [http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/aug/02sld1.htm]