Kolkata

I must really be out of touch - I hadn't known that in 2001, the British name "Calcutta" was changed to Kolkata to reflect a less imperialist political heritage and a more Bengali pronunciation. (Of course, the natives remain "Calcuttans," so it seems a bit of a pyrrhic victory to me.) Kolkata served as the capital of the British Raj (1772-1912), and today is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.Marble Palace
Kali TempleKolkata was known as the "City of Palaces," but has more recently been nicknamed "The City of Joy" and "The Football City." Archaeological evidence shows that the area has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years. It is home to the Indian Museum, the oldest museum in Asia (est. 1814), as well as the Victoria Memorial which is a major tourist attraction and museum in its own right.Indian Museum
Victoria MemorialThe city is spread along the banks of the River Hooghly. Much of the wetlands surrounding the area have been drained to make room for a burgeoning population, but lately parts of it have been designated as protected wetlands. The Howrah Bridge spans the Hooghly, providing a stunning visual display on this major river port.Howrah Bridge
Kolkata UniversityThe University of Calcutta is the oldest western-style university in Asia according to Wikipedia. This is a vibrant city, rich in the heritage of two cultures (Bengali and British) where Mosques and Temples, Museums and Schools stand together to reflect a pursuit of learning and growth and a preservation of diversity.Belur-Math