Currency Building, National monument in B. B. D. Bagh, India.
The Currency Building is a monument of national importance in central Kolkata featuring Italianate architectural style with marble flooring and Venetian-style windows. The structure consists of three floors with a central space designed as an open-air courtyard.
The building was constructed in 1833 and initially housed the Agra Bank before being converted to the Office of Issue and Exchange of Government Currency in 1868. This transformation marked the site's shift from private banking to state financial administration.
The building now serves as a museum space hosting exhibitions of Bengal art and regional works. Visitors can experience how the place functions as a community gathering point for artistic display and cultural events.
The building has been renovated with improved accessibility features and modern facilities to support cultural events and exhibitions. Visitors will find restored staircases and upgraded infrastructure throughout the three-floor structure.
During renovation work, builders discovered remains of an underground canal beneath the structure that once connected to the Hooghly River. This hidden waterway reveals how the site was historically linked to the city's river system.
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