Chandannagar, Municipal corporation in West Bengal, India.
Chandannagar is a city in the state of West Bengal, India, sitting on the western bank of the Hooghly River and forming part of the subdivision that carries its name. Multi-storey residential buildings stand alongside older colonial structures, while lanes lead from the riverfront inland, connecting markets and residential neighborhoods.
The French East India Company acquired the site in 1673 from Mughal authorities and developed it into a trading post that remained under French administration for over two centuries. After Indian independence, the city formally transferred to the Indian government in 1949 and was later incorporated into the state of West Bengal.
The name comes from Bengali roots connected to sandalwood, although no sandalwood trees remain visible in the streets today. Road signs carry both Bengali and French lettering, and bakeries still produce baguette-style bread using recipes handed down through generations.
Visitors arriving from central Kolkata reach the city by train in roughly an hour, as trains run at regular intervals throughout the day. Walking along the riverfront and side streets works best for exploring, while main roads can be busy and require patience when crossing.
Several building facades still show original French shutters and wrought-iron balconies that have survived decades of tropical weather. The clock tower in the old quarter was manufactured in France and continues to keep time today, though it receives only occasional maintenance.
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