Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

The Victoria Memorial, located in Kolkata, India is a memorial of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who also carried the title of Empress of India.

The structure was designed by Sir William Emerson in an architectural style similar to Taj Mahal. Earlier he was asked to design the building in the Italian Renaissance style. But as Emerson was against the exclusive use of European styles, he incorporated Mughal elements. Vincent Esch was the superintending architect. Lord Redesdale and Sir David Prain designed the gardens. The work of construction was entrusted to Messrs Martin & Co. of Calcutta.

It was built between 1906 and 1921. It is a majestic white marble building at the southern end of the Maidan and surrounded by a sprawling garden. A black bronze angel known as Victory, holding a bugle in her hand was placed at the apex of the dome above the Memorial. It is fixed to its pedestal with ball bearings and rotates when the wind is strong enough. Unlike many other monuments of British Imperialism in India, it has been well maintained.

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Victoria Memorial: Pride of Kolkata [1]

Picture gallery

• Queen Victoria Memorial
  Queen Victoria Memorial
• Queen Victoria's statue inside the memorial
  Queen Victoria's statue inside the memorial
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  Facade of the Victoria Memorial
• The Victoria Memorial
  The Victoria Memorial
• Queen Victoria Memorial
  Queen Victoria Memorial