Marble Palace located in North Kolkata is an architectural splendor built during the nineteenth century. Representing the perfect amalgamation of artistry and architecture at the backdrop it exhibits the profound artistic brilliance of the time. Situated in one of the busiest zones of the Kolkata City (at the Muktaram Babu Street and adjacent to the Ram Mandir), this masterpiece seizes the attention of anyone passing by. However, looking at the grandeur with a creative instinct would compel one’s imagination to explore more about it in detail.
Surrounded by high iron railings the palace has a close-knit green garden and a lawn inside. The exterior view not only comforts the eyes, but a question clings into the mind as who built this masterpiece inside this narrow street? Well, those who don’t know the answer is this fabulous architecture built by Raja Rajendra Mullick. Built around more than one hundred and eighty years ago it covers a vast area of 13 acres in its vicinity. In 1835, the construction started with five thousand laborers and it took two years to complete this historical masterpiece.
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| Muktaram Babu Street, the way to Marble Palace |
The palace reflecting an aptitude of Greek architecture has two main entrances (gates) one of which opens in the north direction at the Muktaram Babu Street while the other one opens in the west direction at the Chitpur Road. The two storey palace has a big hall room measuring around 100x30 feet and fourteen doors made of mahogany wood whose height range around 10 feet high. And, the four walls are decorated with precious influential artworks. Besides, there are two billiard tables and a huge classical grandfather clock of six inches in height. Apart from the billiard room there are three other rooms inside. A staircase from the first floor leads to the second floor of the palace. Notably, the architecture of the second floor is similar to the ground floor and it has three big rooms as well. However, the walls and the long balcony built with Italian marble have antique ancient paints on them.
Raja Rajendra Mullick had noteworthy contribution in the welfare of the society and social works as well. Some of his contributions include assisting Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in his endeavour in passing out the Widow Remarriage Act and making it possible for Michael Madhusudan Dutta to enter the court and practice Law. Moreover, his contribution in building and setting up the Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata is equally remarkable.
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| Marble Palace, entrance |
He also built a dedicated area for zoo in the palace where various kinds of birds and animals were preserved. However, as of now various kinds of birds species are preserved here. Marble palace reveals that Raja Rajendra Mullick was a great patron of art and architecture. Besides, he was a nature lover and a great social worker as well.
Address, timing and permission
Marble Palace is located at 46, Muktaram Babu Street, Kolkata – 700 007. It remains closed on Thursday and Monday. The timing is from 10 am to 4 pm every day. For an entry, first one needs to take permission from the Regional Tourist Office, Government of India. Photography is strictly prohibited.
Getting there
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| M.G.Road Metro Station, Gate No. ! |
Plenty of public buses like the 47B, S10, 30A, L20, etc., available from the Dharmatala (Esplanade) to Muktaram Babu Bus Stop. Besides, metro services from various points of Kolkata available as well for the spot. In this case, one needs to exit at the Mahatma Gandhi Metro Station at Central Avenue. From here, heading towards the north direction for a few minutes would lead one to the Muktaram Babu Street. The palace is situated at the left hand side of the street.