Kolkata GPO: An architectural marvel that marks the beginning of postal services!

We all know post offices for sending mails and posts but can a post office be an important landmark of a city? Well, it can be if it is Kolkata and if we are talking about the General Post Office of the city. Located at the crossing of Netaji Subhas Road and Koilaghat Street in the B.B.D. Bagh area, this GPO is also a tourist attraction in the city - all thanks to its Indo-Saracenic structure and historical fame.

Reportedly, this marvel was designed by Walter B. Granville where the star feature of the post office lies in the towering iconic Corinthian pillars. The construction of the building is said to have started in the year 1864 while it was completed in 1868 with the cost of Rs 6,30,510. 

The testimony to culture and history

It is said that the imperialistic nature of the British led them to develop strong communication systems so that personnel, armies, machinery, documents, and money could be efficiently sent and received. Hence, the East India Company began working on a robust logistics system.

It is widely known that Warren Hastings introduced the postal system in Kolkata in 1774. The designer, Walter B. Granville, had already served as the consulting architect to the Government of India from 1863 to 1868. It is his creation that is often admired for its massive structure, featuring a high domed roof reaching over 220 feet, along with iconic Corinthian pillars.

The building features a white dome with a large clock supported by an octagonal base and a total of 28 Corinthian pillars. In 1884, a postal museum was also established, showcasing a collection of artifacts and stamps. At the southwestern end of the building lies the Philatelic Bureau.

As we delved deeper into the history of this place, we discovered that the site where the current GPO stands was originally the location of the first Fort William. It was damaged by Siraj-ud-Daulah during the "Siege of Calcutta" in 1756. Interestingly, this was also the site of the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta. The dome, constructed later, was equipped with provisions for natural lighting and ventilation—an impressive feat in an era without electricity. In 1896, a clock was added at the cost of Rs 7,000, imported from the same manufacturer that made Big Ben for the British Parliament.

On the eastern side of the GPO, you’ll find a brass plate marking the eastern end of Old Fort William, the only remaining part of the ancient fort in Calcutta's history. Recently, a marble plaque was installed to highlight this brass plate, affixed to the building’s eastern walls. At the north end of the GPO, you'll encounter the Kolkata Collectorate, which once served as the office of the regional collector. According to reports, this designation was introduced by the British Government after 1857 to replace the traditional Zamindars.

Historically, the postal service was opened to the public with a prepayment of 2 annas per letter for every 100 miles. On September 15, 1854, India’s first postage stamp was introduced, designed by Captain H.L. Thuillier and engraved in lithography by an Indian artist named Muniruddin. Calcutta is also credited with printing India’s first stamp on October 1, 1854, and Asia’s first bi-color stamp on October 15 of the same year.

Thus, the Kolkata GPO remains a pioneer in establishing the Indian postal service and is renowned to this day for its magnificent architecture and grand presence, making it a must-visit location in the art capital of India.