College Street is a bustling thoroughfare located in the heart of Kolkata, India. It is often referred to as the “Boi Para” or the “book town” due to the large number of bookstores and publishing houses that line the street. It is a hub of intellectual activity and a popular destination for students, scholars, and book lovers alike.
The street is home to several renowned educational institutions such as Presidency University, Calcutta Medical College, and Sanskrit College. The iconic Coffee House, a popular haunt of artists, intellectuals, and writers, is also located here.
Apart from books and academia, College Street is also famous for its street food, particularly the mouth-watering phuchka and jhal muri. It is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to soak in the culture and intellectual vibrancy of Kolkata.
Here are ten interesting facts about Kolkata Book Street, also known as College Street:
1. Kolkata Book Street is one of the largest second-hand book markets in the world, located in the College Street area of Kolkata, India.
2. The market stretches for around a mile, and features more than 2000 book stalls selling books on a wide range of subjects.
3. The area has been a hub for book trading and printing since the 19th century and was once home to some of India’s most prominent publishers and booksellers.
4. Kolkata Book Street is known for its academic and rare books, including first editions and out-of-print titles.
5. The market is popular with students, scholars, and bibliophiles from across India and beyond.
6. In 2007, the Indian government declared College Street a “heritage area” due to its historic importance.
7. The street is also home to several famous educational institutions, including the University of Calcutta and Presidency College.
8. The market has been featured in several films and television shows, including the popular Indian movie “Kahaani” and the Netflix series “Leila.”
9. Kolkata Book Street has inspired the creation of similar markets in other parts of India, such as the Blossom Book House in Bangalore.
10. The market is a great place to find rare and unique books, and many visitors spend hours browsing the stalls and soaking up the literary atmosphere.
বই পাড়ার গন্ধ সঙ্গে প্রেসিডেন্সির ঐতিহ্য,
হাতে টানা রিক্সা বা ট্রামের গন্তব্যে কফি হাউজ,
অজস্র মানুষের ঢল সাথে এক আড্ডার চল,
কোলকাতার অন্যতম প্রাণ ভ্রমর,
যেখানে আজও শত শত কবি-লেখক অক্সিজেন নেই ঐতিহ্য।
Jotipriyo Saha
Kolkata’s College street is the perfect blend of intellect, culture, heritage and history; a representation of Kolkata city itself.
