Calcutta Calling Trivia Quiz

Answer: Victoria Memorial

Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to be awarded the title of Queen-Empress of India in 1877. After her death in 1901, Lord Curzon felt a monument should be built in her memory. Construction began in 1904 and the monument was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1921.

It was designed by Sir William Emerson after the Taj Mahal in Agra. It is now a popular tourist attraction and two regular sound and light shows in English and Bengali are held here in the evening.

Answer: Eden Gardens Stadium

The Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 90,000 spectators. It was one of the first cricket stadiums in India to have floodlights and host day and night matches. Important matches like the 1987 World Cup finals and the 1996 World Cup semi finals have been played here.

Answer: Birla Planetarium

The M. P. Birla Planetarium started functioning on September 22, 1962 and was formally inaugurated on July 2, 1963 by the first Prime Minister of India, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. With a capacity for 500 people, it is the largest planetarium in Asia.

Answer: Howrah Bridge

The Howrah Bridge is built over the river Ganga and connects the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah. Eight rows of vehicles can ply over the bridge at the same time.

Answer: Potters

Potters known as kumors work here to create clay images of idols for Kolkata's various festivals. Millions of idols are made during the months preceding Durga Puja, which is celebrated over a period of four to five days. Idols of goddess Durga slaying the demon, Mahisasura, in a battle of good triumphing over evil, are very popular.

Answer: St. Paul's Cathedral

It was designed by Major William Forbes and the tower and the spire were inspired by the Norwich Cathedral. After being destroyed by two earthquakes in 1897 and 1934, it was rebuilt as a replica of the Bell Harry Tower of the Canterbury Cathedral.

Answer: Indian Museum

The Kolkata Indian Museum was established in 1814 in the Asiatic Society Building by Dr. Nathaniel Wallich, a botanist from Denmark. In 1875 it was shifted to its current location. It is divided into six main sections - Art, Industry, Zoology, Geology, Archaeology and Anthropology.

The Archaeological Section has a collection of stone-age artifacts belonging to the Mohenjodaro and Harappa civilizations. There is also an urn containing Buddha's ashes.

Answer: Fort William

The fort was built in a hamlet called Gobindapur after Robert Clive's victory over Siraj ud-Daula at Plassey. It is octagonal with three sides facing the river Ganga. In 1928, St. Peter's Church was built within the Fort. The Fort has huge archways, one of which is known as the 'Plassey Gate'.

It is said to be the only fort in the world from where neither a single bullet nor cannon ball has been fired.

Answer: Nirmal Hriday

Nirmal Hriday (pure heart) was the first home set up by Mother Teresa for serving the poor and destitute of Kolkata. Shanti Nagar was founded later as a colony for lepers and Shishu Bhavan for disabled, orphaned and mentally handicapped children.

Answer: Shaheed Minar

This 148 feet pillar was renamed Shaheed Minar which means Martyr's Column. Its peculiarity is that the cupola is built in Turkish style, the column in Syrian style and the base in Egyptian style.