Dharmatala (now officially Lenin Sarani) in Kolkata is generally believed to be named after a "holy street" or place of worship, with its name potentially derived from a large mosque that previously stood in the area or as a reference to dharma, a unit of the Buddhist Trinity, given a nearby historical Buddhist temple.
Dharmatala means Holy Street. It is commonly held to derive its name from a large mosque which stood at the site of Cook and Company's livery stables. Some discern the name as a reference to dharma, one of the units of the Buddhist Trinity. There was a Buddhist temple at Janbazar, nearby.
An esplanade or promenade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The historical definition of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress's guns.
The former name of Calcutta is the anglicised name for Kalikata. The name is derived from Kalikshetra meaning 'Land of the Goddess Kali'. Another story reveals that the name Kalikata is most probably derived from oil (calcium) or kali (lime) - a nod to the industries in the area.
ধর্মতলা বাসস্ট্যান্ড । Kolkata Dharmatala bus stand । Dharmatala bazar । Esplanade Metro Gali
Is Kali a Bengali goddess?
Kali, the supreme embodiment of female power (shakti), is a manifestation of the goddess Parvati, Shiva's loving wife, and is particularly worshipped in Bengal as the premier goddess of the sakta cult.
The city's former name, Calcutta, is an Anglicized version of the Bengali name Kalikata. According to some, Kalikata is derived from the Bengali word Kalikshetra, meaning “Ground of (the goddess) Kali.” Some say the city's name derives from the location of its original settlement on the bank of a canal (khal).
Kolkata Rises to 3rd Richest City in India with ₹12.45 Lakh Crore GDP. Kolkata just climbed to the 3rd spot among the richest cities in India for 2025. It stands at an estimated GDP of ₹12.45 lakh crore. This is the kind of milestone that forces you to look closer at what the city has been building quietly.
After independence, civil strife and communist rule saw Kolkata lose pace to other Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. In 1985 the prime minister Rajiv Ghandhi described Kolkata as a “dying” city.
Following English transcription, "Kāl Kāʈa" became "Calcutta". The name may have its origin in the words khal meaning "canal", followed by kaṭa, which may mean "dug". The name may have been derived from the Bengali term kilkila ("flat area"). Another theory is that the name derives from Kalighat.
Esplanade (এসপ্ল্যানেড Esplyāneḍ) or Dharmatala (ধর্মতলা Dharmatalā) is the modern city centre of Kolkata, combining colonial-era buildings with modern developments. It serves as the city's new central business district and is preferred by major businesses, particularly along Chowringhee Road.
Esplanade is a vibrant neighborhood in Kolkata, known for its historical architecture and charming gardens. It's a bustling area that offers a mix of old-world charm and modern amenities. The district is famous for its lively atmosphere and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Kalikata was one of the three villages which were merged to form the city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in India. The other two villages were Gobindapur and Sutanuti.
Dharmatala is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata, in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Dharmatala Street has been renamed after Lenin as Lenin Sarani but the neighbourhood up to Wellington Square continues to be referred as Dharmatala.
Kolkata was the capital of the British India until 1911, when the capital was relocated to Delhi. Kolkata grew rapidly in the 19th century to become the second most important city of the British Empire after London and was declared the financial (commercial) capital of the British India.
Kolkata is called the Black City, Surat the Diamond City, and. Bengaluru the Garden City. These titles highlight their rich heritage, industries, and cultural significance.
In 1996, in keeping with the recent nationwide practice of Indianizing city names, the Government of Tamil Nadu, then represented by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, renamed the city to Chennai.
The 3 UAs with populations of 10 million and above are known as Mega Cities (The census defines the three as Greater Mumbai UA (18.4 million), Delhi UA (16.3 million) and Kolkata UA (14.1 million)).
Kolkata and Kunming have some similarities, and not just the first alphabets of their nomenclatures. While Kolkata is the commercial, education and cultural hub of eastern India, Kunming enjoys the same position in South-West China. Kunming, like Kolkata, is an important trade centre.
Definitions of Calcutta. noun. the largest city in India and one of the largest cities in the world; located in eastern India; suffers from poverty and overcrowding. synonyms: Kolkata.
