Victoria Memorial
About Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial is a magnificent white marble monument located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was built between 1906 and 1921 in memory of Queen Victoria, who was the Empress of India during the British Raj.
This iconic landmark is one of Kolkata's most famous tourist attractions and showcases Indo-Saracenic architecture, blending British and Mughal architectural styles. The memorial was designed by Sir William Emerson, the president of the British Institute of Architects.
The Victoria Memorial stands as a symbol of the British colonial era in India and houses a museum that contains a vast collection of artifacts, paintings, and memorabilia from the British period. The building is surrounded by beautiful gardens spanning 26 hectares (64 acres) and is now a museum under the control of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is the largest monument to a monarch anywhere in the world and attracts over 5 million visitors annually.
Gallery
Key Features
- •Largest monument to a monarch anywhere in the world
- •Magnificent white Makrana marble architecture spanning 64 acres
- •25 galleries with over 50,000 artifacts
- •Beautiful gardens maintained by 21 gardeners
- •Attracts over 5 million visitors annually
History
After Queen Victoria's death on 22 January 1901, Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, proposed the construction of a grand building with a museum and gardens. The government officials, princes, politicians, and people of India responded generously to Lord Curzon's appeal for funds, and the total cost of construction, amounting to one crore and five lakhs of Rupees, was entirely derived from their voluntary subscriptions.
On 4 January 1906, George, the Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone. The work of construction was entrusted to Messrs. Martin & Co. of Calcutta, and work on the superstructure began in 1910. The Victoria Memorial was completed and formally opened to the public in December 1921 by the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VIII.
Architecture & Design
The architect of the Victoria Memorial was William Emerson (1843–1924). The design is in the Indo-Saracenic style, mixing British and Mughal elements with Venetian, Egyptian, and Deccani architectural influences. The building is 338 by 228 ft (103 by 69 m) and rises to a height of 184 ft (56 m). It is constructed of white Makrana marble, the same marble used in the Taj Mahal.
The central chamber is 64 ft (20 m) in diameter, deliberately designed to be slightly larger than the Taj Mahal. In design, it echoes the Taj Mahal with its dome, four subsidiaries, octagonal-domed chattris, high portals, terrace, and domed corner towers. On top of the central dome is the 4.9 m (16 ft) figure of the Angel of Victory, designed by Vincent Jerome Esch. Surrounding the dome are allegorical sculptures including Art, Architecture, Justice, and Charity.
Museum & Collections
The Victoria Memorial has 25 galleries, including the royal gallery, the national leader's gallery, the portrait gallery, central hall, the sculpture gallery, the arms and armory gallery, and the Kolkata gallery. The museum houses over 50,000 artifacts and has the largest single collection of the works of Thomas Daniell (1749–1840) and his nephew, William Daniell (1769–1837).
The Victoria Gallery displays several portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and paintings illustrating their lives, including Victoria receiving the sacrament at her coronation in Westminster Abbey, Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert, and paintings of Victoria at her Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee services. Queen Victoria's childhood rosewood pianoforte and her correspondence desk from Windsor Castle are also displayed.
The Kolkata gallery, opened in 1992, houses a visual display of the history and development of Kolkata. It includes a life-size diorama of Chitpur road in the late 1800s, showcasing the city's rich heritage and evolution.
Gardens & Statues
The gardens at the Victoria Memorial cover 26 hectares (64 acres) and are maintained by a team of 21 gardeners. They were designed by Lord Redesdale and David Prain. The gardens feature beautiful pathways, water features, and are perfect for peaceful walks and photography.
The gardens contain several statues commemorating important historical figures including Warren Hastings, Charles Cornwallis, Robert Clive, Arthur Wellesley, and James Broun-Ramsay. There is also a bronze statue of Queen Victoria by George Frampton, depicting an enthroned and aged Victoria wearing the robes of the Star of India. To the south of the building is the Edward VII memorial arch with a bronze equestrian statue of Edward VII.
Visiting Information
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on Mondays
Location
Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071