Maidan, Urban park in central Kolkata, India
Maidan is a large park in central Kolkata that covers several square kilometers. Numerous paths cross the lawns and connect sports fields, monuments, and shaded trees.
The British East India Company cleared the land around 1758 to create open sightlines around Fort William. The resulting open ground later served as a military parade zone and evolved into the city's most important public space.
The grounds take their name from the Persian word for open space and remain a key site for community gatherings and festivals. Vendors sell traditional snacks like jhalmuri while families picnic in the late afternoon.
Several entrances along Red Road and Jawaharlal Nehru Road provide access to different sections of the park. Metro stations Maidan and Park Street lie within walking distance at the edge of the grounds.
During monsoon season, parts of the lawns turn into temporary pools where children often play. On weekends, the open spaces often host spontaneous musical performances and political gatherings.
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