VICTORIA MEMORIAL

About the Victoria Memorial Hall

Facts, Figures and Reports

57 ACRES
Total area

28,394
Artefacts

20 LAKHS
Annual Visitors

21
No of Gardens

3,900
Paintings in Collection

13 LAKHS
Garden Visitors
Address:

Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queen's Way, Kolkata - 700071, India

 When was it built: Built between 1906 to 1921

Who built it: Conceptualised by George Curzon, Viceroy of India

Where is it located: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Why was it built: To commemorate Queen Victoria

Architectural Style: Indo-Saracenic revivalist style

The Victoria Memorial, a huge monument made of white marble located in the heart of the City of
Joy, Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) in West Bengal, India is one of the most famous monuments in
West Bengal that has become a museum and popular tourist spot of the state. A brainchild of
George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston and Viceroy of India, this monument
epitomising beauty and elegance was dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria (1819–1901).
This grand and exquisite memorial not only stands as reminiscence to the rule of British Crown in
the Indian subcontinent but also stands out as an excellent architectural gem in Indo-Saracenic
revivalist style. It is a must visit tourist destination for first time visitors to experience the essence
of Victorian era in the midst of the bustling metro city of Kolkata.

Construction & Architecture

William Emerson, the then president of the Royal Institute of British Architects was the chief
architect of the memorial that was designed in Indo-Saracenic revivalist style. The style
encompassed a blend of British architectural style with that of Egyptian, Venetian, Deccani,
Mughal and other Islamic styles. Build of Makrana marble brought from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, it
measures 103 m by 69 m with a height of 56 m. Scottish physician and botanist Sir David Prain
and Lord Redesdale were entrusted to design the vast garden areas covering 64 acres while
garden gates and the bridge of the north aspect were designed by Vincent J. Esch. Messrs.
The garden is presently maintained by a group of 21 gardeners. Martin & Co. of Calcutta carried
out the construction work of the memorial. Certain additions were made to the memorial post
independence of India.

The design is in the Indo-Saracenic revivalist style

which uses a mixture of British and Mughal elements

with Venetian, Egyptian, Decani and Islamic

architectural influences.

A large number of artefact’s from the invaluable

collections of the Memorial are on display. They are

suitably placed in various galleries.

The galleries include :

The Royal Gallery (currently closed for renovation)

Entrance Hall

Portrait Gallery

The Queen’s Hall

The Prince Hall

National Leaders’ Gallery (currently closed for

renovation)

Indian Schools of Art (currently closed for

renovation)

Calcutta Gallery

Durbar Hall

Atop the central dome of the Victoria Memorial is the

16 ft (4.9 m) figure of the Angel of Victory.

Surrounding the dome are allegorical sculptures

including Art, Architecture, Justice, and Charity and

above the North Porch are Motherhood, Prudence and

Learning.

The Victoria Memorial is built of white Makrana

marble. in design it echo's the Taj Mahal with its

dome, four subsidiaries, octagonal-domed chattris,

high portals, terrace, and domed corner

The Victoria Memorial features Indo-Saracenic revivalist architectural style
which displays a blend of Mughal and British elements along with Egyptian,
Islamic, Venetian, and Deccani elements. Made of white Markana marble, the
edifice has dimensions of 103 meters by 69 meters and reaches up to a height
of 56 meters.

In terms of design, Victoria Memorial draws inspiration from the Taj Mahal. It
has a main central dome, four smaller domes, high portals, domed chaatris of
octagonal shape, domed towers at the corners, and terrace. The Angel of
Victory, a 16-feet tall figure, stands on top of the central dome. You can find
several allegorical sculptures surrounding the central dome, including Charity,
Justice, Art, and Architecture. The North Porch has allegorical sculptures of
Prudence, Motherhood, and Learning.