Lalbazar

Lalbazar ( _bn. লালবাজার) is a neighbourhood in central Kolkata, earlier known as Calcutta, in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is part of the central business district adjoining B.B.D. Bagh area. The head quarters of the Kolkata Police is located here (18, Lalbazar Street) and is popularly known by the same name.

History

The road leading from the north-east corner of B. B. D. Bagh to Bowbazar was earlier known as ‘Avenue to the eastward’. It was also known as the Great Bungalo Road. The modern police office was the residence of John Palmer, one of the merchant princes of Kolkata. Earlier to that it was said to be ‘an old ruin of a house, formerly the residence of some black native.’ The house next to it was the Harmonic Tavern, the handsomest house in its day and pulled down long back.Cotton, H.E.A., "Calcutta Old and New", 1909/1980, p. 275-276, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.] Punishhment in old Kolkata was often by hanging. There was a gibbet at the crossing of Lalabazar and Chitpore Road (now Rabindra Sarani).Sidney Kitson, "Calcutta Police, from the Crown to Ashok Pillar",in "Calcutta, the Living City", Vol. I, edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, p. 243-245, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-563696-3]

In 1768, it was said to be the best street in Kolkata.

Police HQ

The present police headquarters in Lalbazar was erected in 1919.

References

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