Kalikatar Itihas: A Timeless Chronicle of Kolkata’s Past Compiled by Subal Chandra Mitra.
Title— Kalikatar Itihas (The History of Kolkata),
Compiled by—Subal Chandra Mitra,
Genre— Geographical Informative Book, Compiled Book,
Book Format— PDF,
Subal Chandra Mitra Compiled the Geographical informative Book ‘Kalikatar Itihas’.
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is more than just a bustling metropolitan city—it is a living museum of history, culture, and transformation. Tracing its journey from a cluster of humble villages to the nerve centre of British India requires more than just historical documentation; it demands insight, context, and accessibility. This is where the monumental work Kalikatar Itihas steps in.
A City Through the Historian’s Lens
The foundation of this Bengali masterpiece is rooted in an English original—The Early History and Growth of Calcutta—authored by Raja Binaykrishna Deb Bahadur, a visionary thinker and historian. His work offers a deeply researched narrative on the city’s emergence, growth, and evolution. From Calcutta’s pre-colonial beginnings to the sweeping changes brought by the British East India Company, Deb Bahadur’s chronicle captures not just the events, but the ethos of a city constantly in motion.
The Compiler: Subal Chandra Mitra
Recognizing the importance of making this vital historical account accessible to Bengali readers, Subal Chandra Mitra took on the task of compiling and translating Deb Bahadur’s English text into Bengali. But his work was not a mere word-for-word translation. Using an English-Bengali dictionary as a tool for precision, Mitra infused the adaptation with cultural relevance and linguistic nuance. His compilation—Kalikatar Itihas—stands as a bridge between scholarly research and public understanding.
Key Themes Explored in Kalikatar Itihas
- Pre-Colonial Calcutta: The book begins by painting a vivid picture of the landscape before British intervention, highlighting local life and regional governance.
- Colonial Transition: It charts the British East India Company’s expansion and the foundational shifts that laid the groundwork for colonial rule.
- Urban and Social Evolution: Readers are taken through the changing dynamics of administration, city planning, architecture, and society as Calcutta grew in importance.
- Cultural Legacy: Beyond the politics and power structures, the text reflects the soul of Kolkata—a city shaped by diverse influences and resilient communities.
A Historical Work with Contemporary Relevance
What sets Kalikatar Itihas (The History of Calcutta) apart is its readability and reach. Through Mitra’s translation, the dense academic work of Deb Bahadur becomes accessible to students, scholars, and general readers alike. It allows Bengalis to engage directly with their city’s past, in their own language, deepening their connection to Kolkata’s layered identity.
The book is not just a document of history—it is a mirror to modern Kolkata’s roots, revealing how centuries of change, resistance, and adaptation shaped the city we know today.
Conclusion: A Tribute to the Spirit of Kolkata
Kalikatar Itihas (The History of Calcutta), with its 349 pages of rich historical insight, is more than just a chronicle. It is a tribute to the enduring spirit of Kolkata—a city that has withstood the tests of time, colonization, and modernization. The collaboration between Raja Binaykrishna Deb Bahadur’s historical vision and Subal Chandra Mitra’s linguistic dedication has resulted in a resource that is both informative and inspiring.
Whether you’re a historian, a student, or simply a lover of Kolkata, this work is an essential read that connects you to the city’s vibrant and complex legacy.
PDF Download Available: Geographical Information Book Kalikatar Itihas
Kalikatar Itihas (The History of Calcutta)
Pages: 240 | PDF Size: 10MB
Compiled by Subal Chandra Mitra