Writers' Building, Colonial administrative building in B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, India
Writers' Building extends 150 meters along the northern edge of Lal Dighi, featuring a Georgian architectural design with high ceilings and large windows.
Built in 1777, the structure initially housed European clerks of the British East India Company before becoming the West Bengal state government secretariat.
The building displays Greco-Roman elements with statues representing Minerva, Justice, Commerce, Science, and Agriculture throughout its architectural design.
The structure occupies 550,000 square feet of space in Ward No. 45 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, near multiple public transportation options.
In 1930, three revolutionaries entered the building and killed Colonel N.S. Simpson, leading to a significant gunfight with colonial authorities.
Location: Ward No. 45, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Address: BBD Bag North
Phone: +913322145600
Website: http://wb.gov.in
GPS coordinates: 22.57369,88.34963
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:07
British rule in India from 1800 to 1947 left a distinct architectural legacy across major Indian cities. European styles including Victorian Gothic, Neoclassical and Renaissance merged with Indian decorative motifs and craftsmanship. The result was the Indo-Saracenic style, a hybrid form that expressed colonial power while incorporating local building traditions. Mumbai presents this architecture through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Rajabai Clock Tower and the Gateway of India. Kolkata displays it in the Victoria Memorial and Writers' Building, while Delhi offers Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Maidens Hotel. Chennai shows the Madras High Court and Government Museum, Hyderabad holds Falaknuma Palace and Shimla houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. These structures served as government seats, courthouses, railway stations, hotels and museums, and continue to define the urban landscape of Indian cities today.
Kolkata's past surfaces in religious sites, colonial buildings, and busy markets scattered across the city. The British era left its mark through the white marble Victoria Memorial and administrative structures around BBD Bagh and the Writers Building. Religious spaces range from the Dakshineswar Kali Temple on the Hooghly River to the neo-Gothic St. Paul's Cathedral and historic synagogues like Beth El and Maghen David. The Kumartuli neighborhood is known for artisans who mold clay figures for religious festivals, while New Market offers textiles, spices, and household goods. The Indian Museum holds ancient collections and archaeological finds, and Science City houses a planetarium and science exhibitions.
General Post Office, Kolkata
204 m
St. John's Church
567 m
Millennium Park
455 m
Great Eastern Hotel
587 m
Magen David Synagogue
501 m
Metcalfe Hall
551 m
Currency Building
355 m
Bankshall Court
397 m
Lal Dighi
199 m
Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth
608 m
Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary
638 m
Old Mission Church
289 m
St. Andrew's Church
147 m
St. Francis Xavier's Church
543 m
Beth-El Synagogue
367 m
Old Reserve Bank of India Central Office building
409 m
Job Charnock's Mausoleum
498 m
Ghare Baire
351 m
Reserve Bank of India Kolkata
177 m
Second Rohilla War Memorial
548 m
Bagwali Kothi Imambara
518 m
Gol Kothi Imambara
554 m
Carey Baptist Church
626 m
Haji Karabala Imambara
653 m
Postal Museum and Philatelic Library
208 m
RBI Museum
409 m
Customs House
347 m
Tomb of Frances Johnson
510 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes