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In pics: Special guided tour helps Kolkatans peek into the architectural brilliance of Victoria Memorial Hall

Special visit on International Museum Day helps bust myths surrounding the iconic structure’s styles

Vedant Karia Kolkata Published 24.05.24, 03:00 PM
More than 60 Kolkatans gathered in the gardens and galleries of Victoria Memorial Hall on May 18 to celebrate International Museum Day. The iconic monument organised a tour that explored the symphony of its architectural styles, juxtaposed with stories behind its construction
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More than 60 Kolkatans gathered in the gardens and galleries of Victoria Memorial Hall on May 18 to celebrate International Museum Day. The iconic monument organised a tour that explored the symphony of its architectural styles, juxtaposed with stories behind its construction

All photographs by Soumyajit Dey
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Built in the memory of the then Empress of India, Queen Victoria, Lord Curzon wanted a structure that was imperial in nature, while drawing inspiration from Romans, Greeks and Italians. Victoria Memorial was such a melting pot of styles that it also has influences from Islamic and Rajput architecture
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Built in the memory of the then Empress of India, Queen Victoria, Lord Curzon wanted a structure that was imperial in nature, while drawing inspiration from Romans, Greeks and Italians. Victoria Memorial was such a melting pot of styles that it also has influences from Islamic and Rajput architecture

Lord Curzon always felt a sense of competition with the Taj Mahal while conceiving the Victoria Memorial. It is, perhaps, for this reason that the dome of the Kolkata monument is 64 feet in diameter compared to the Agra monument’s 61 feet
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Lord Curzon always felt a sense of competition with the Taj Mahal while conceiving the Victoria Memorial. It is, perhaps, for this reason that the dome of the Kolkata monument is 64 feet in diameter compared to the Agra monument’s 61 feet

The massive entrance arch has a sculpture of the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, which has largely remained unchanged since Queen Victoria’s reign. The sculptures atop the windows on the bottom left and right show England’s progress in arts and sciences
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The massive entrance arch has a sculpture of the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, which has largely remained unchanged since Queen Victoria’s reign. The sculptures atop the windows on the bottom left and right show England’s progress in arts and sciences

The four domes on the side are shaped like an onion much like in Islamic architecture. They have a lantern on top, inspired from Roman architecture
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The four domes on the side are shaped like an onion much like in Islamic architecture. They have a lantern on top, inspired from Roman architecture

Lord Curzon was particular about paying homage to the four rivers that gave life to the land. You can find the names Indus, Jumna (Yamuna), Ganga and Krishna embossed on the marble
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Lord Curzon was particular about paying homage to the four rivers that gave life to the land. You can find the names Indus, Jumna (Yamuna), Ganga and Krishna embossed on the marble

Originally, Curzon wanted Victoria Memorial’s marble to be sourced from Pentelikon, Greece but because of logistical issues Makrana marble from Rajasthan, which is the same marble used in the Taj Mahal, was finally used. Incidentally, the marble used in Victoria Memorial could fill a 27-km long goods train
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Originally, Curzon wanted Victoria Memorial’s marble to be sourced from Pentelikon, Greece but because of logistical issues Makrana marble from Rajasthan, which is the same marble used in the Taj Mahal, was finally used. Incidentally, the marble used in Victoria Memorial could fill a 27-km long goods train

While many believe the mobility of the Angel of Victory to be a myth, it does in fact rotate. Perched atop the dome, the bronze angel weighs 3 tonnes and is 16 feet high. It moves only with wind speeds of over 20km. So plan your next visit to Victoria Memorial during a storm
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While many believe the mobility of the Angel of Victory to be a myth, it does in fact rotate. Perched atop the dome, the bronze angel weighs 3 tonnes and is 16 feet high. It moves only with wind speeds of over 20km. So plan your next visit to Victoria Memorial during a storm

RELATED TOPICS

International Museum Day Kolkata Museums Queen Victoria Lord Curzon Empress: Queen Victoria And India Kolkata History Calcutta British Empire Marble Taj Mahal Greece
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