Pathuriaghata is a neighborhood in north Kolkata which maybe regards as old as the city itself, maybe older too. Loosely translated it means a stone pathway and a visit in this intense and overwhelming part of the city is important if one wants to get the real feel of the “then Calcutta”.

Replete with stupendous mansions in different stages of upkeep and decay, this area is literally time travel in the Calcutta of the 18th and 19th centuries. These great families who built the Great Houses which is a unique feature of old Calcutta were already present and doing flourishing business even before the British came. They traded in gold silver, silk, cotton, salt. Or were involved in shipping, transport, etc. When the British started taking over in the mid-eighteenth century, these families used the situation to their advantage. They joined hands with them and entered their services as “munshis”(teachers), “banians”, officials or commissioners. The local Indian traders made a lot of profit trading with the British. They created a lot of wealth in a very short time and being immensely rich, needed to show off their wealth, power, clout and newly acquired aristocracy. These houses were a heady mix of architectural styles owing to the many influences of Europe which Bengal became exposed to. Neoclassical, Islamic and Hindu elements can be found in both the structure and decoration of these heritage buildings. Ornate archways wide enough for elephants to pass, collonades to catch the slightest breeze, latticed balconies derived from Mughal times, French doors and Venetian windows were some of the features of these Great houses. The founders of these houses were landowners, merchants, intermediaries and cashiers for British leaders like Clive and Hastings. Others were money lenders and tutors or interpreters for the British.

Tagore Palace, Pathurighata Ghosh, and Mallick baris, Marble Palace are living examples and a rightful proof for the sobriquet of “City of Palaces” given to this city.