Kolkata/Maidan

The Maidan (Bengali: ময়দান Maẏdān, Hindi: मैदान Maidān) is a 400-hectare park in central Kolkata, stretching from the Hooghly river in the west to Chowringhee and Park Street in the east, and from the Victoria Memorial in the south to Raj Bhawan and Eden Gardens in the north. Lending its name to this area is the huge, lush, green, open parkland.

The tiger-haunted jungle which cut off the village of Chowringhee from the river was cleared, and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which the city is so proud. The Maidan was developed as a 5-km² parade ground for the British forces and even today is army property. It is a vast stretch of field and home to numerous play grounds, including the famous cricketing venue Eden Gardens, several football grounds, and Kolkata Race Course. The Maidan sports several statues. The roads on the Maidan are dotted with tiny greenish bungalow-tents (club houses) belonging to various sports clubs. There are numerous patches for playing. Some of the larger clubs occupy the fields with wooden galleries.

The big three of Kolkata football, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting have a noticeable presence but there also are names with faded glory such as Rangers. Somewhere in between fit in organisations such as Kennel Club and Press Club. There also are lower order clubs, who do not have much of a following but have a noticeable contribution and sometimes spring a surprise – Wari, Aryans, Rajasthan and so on – and a host of office clubs.Once in a while the Brigade Parade Ground has political rallies with crowds numbering one hundred thousand plus.

22°33′13″N 88°20′11″E

Map of Kolkata/Maidan

• 22.55588.3502781 Park Street  1 .  (updated May 2026)

• 22.563988.33832 Edengarden  Circular .  (updated May 2026)
• 22.55657388.3314183 Prinsep Ghat  Circular .  (updated May 2026)

Buses are available.

• 22.5517588.325984 Bidhan Ghat, Strand Road, Hastings (Near to Tolly Canal).  

• 22.55299788.3287961 Lascar War Memorial, Hastings. A memorial dedicated to the memory of the 896 Indian sailors (lascars) who died serving on ships of the Royal Navy and British Merchant Service during World War I.  (updated Jun 2026)

Indira Gandhi Sarani (IG Sarani), formerly and still fondly called Red Road, runs from Lok Bhavan to the West Gate of Vijay Durg, surrounded by greenery. The road is known for a large Republic Day (26 January) parade, and the Durga Puja Carnival before immersion.

• 22.5628688.349232 Shaheed Minar (শহীদ মিনার Śahīd Minār, formerly Ochterlony Monument). Locally known as the "Monument", the British-era memorial pillar is 48 meters high. It is rededicated to the Indian freedom activists in 1969 and the monument was renamed Shaheed Minar.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 22.563188.34663 Glorious Dead Memorial. Open all day. A monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I. Free.  (updated Sep 2025)
• 22.5483588.349754 The 42 (দ্য ফোরটি-টু Dya Phōrṭi-ṭu), 42B, Chowringhee Rd. A 260 m (850 ft) high box-shaped apartment building, and the tallest building of the city.  (updated Apr 2023)

• 22.56412688.3396115 Tazaung (near Eden Gardens stadium, suburban: Eden Gardens  Circular ). A Buddhist pagoda, set in a small lake. Lord Dalhousie brought the pagoda from Prome in Burma (present-day Pyay in Myanmar) and erected here in 1854.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 22.56416788.3382636 Outram Ghat, Strand Rd. One of Kolkata's premier riverside entertainment spots. The place is a long stretch with a grand view of the river and Vidyasagar Setu nearby. There are numerous eateries. One can also have a ride in a country boat. The ghat is used for bathing and religious ceremonies. Beware of trains moving along the circular rail track. Or enjoy a cruise on the river in a panshi.  (updated Aug 2022)
• 22.5606888.333857 Gwalior Monument (Ellenborough's Folly, The Pepperpot). An octagonal cenotaph crowned with a bronze dome cast from guns captured from the Scindia forces of Gwalior. It was erected in 1847 by Governor-General Lord Ellenborough as a memorial to the officers and men who fell during the Gwalior War of 1843.  (updated Sep 2025)
• 22.5567888.33168 Prinsep Ghat (প্রিন্সেপ ঘাট Prinsep Ghāṭ) (local: Prinsep Ghat  Circular ). Often misspelt "Princep Ghat", the memorial ghat is named after James Prinsep, a 19th century East India Company official best known as a historical scholar. It gives an excellent view of the Hooghly River and Vidyasagar Setu.  (updated Apr 2023)
• 22.55694488.3277789 Vidyasagar Setu (বিদ্যাসাগর সেতু Bidyāsāgar Setu, Second Hooghly Bridge). Open 24 hours. With a total length of 823 m (2,700 ft), Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable-stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built 3.7 km (2.3 mi) south/downstream of Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992 by the Hooghly River Bridge Commission (HRBC).  (updated Nov 2022)
• 22.54792488.32943210 Hastings Chapel. A missionary church with eight Doric columns, founded in 1855 by the London Missionary Society.  (updated Jun 2026)

• 22.544988.342511 Victoria Memorial (ভিক্টোরিয়া মেমোরিয়াল Bhikṭoriẏā Memoriẏāl), 1, Queen's Way (metro: Maidan  1  (north entry), Victoria  3  (north entry), Rabindra Sadan  1  (south entry)), ☏ +91 33 2223-5142, [email protected]. 10AM-5PM (closed M), Son et Lumière (English) 7:15PM Oct-Feb and 7:45PM Mar-Jun. Kolkata's most celebrated landmark, this monument was built with imperial self-confidence and was the brainchild of Lord Curzon, one of India's most flamboyant Viceroys. The domed structure was completed in 1921, with marble used from Makrana. Now a museum, the Victoria Memorial's 25 galleries are spread over 2 floors. The collection covers a fascinating selection of Raj memorabilia and includes the Calcutta Gallery with oil paintings and watercolours of the city's history. Do not miss the grand Durbar Hall, inside which lies a statue of Lord Cornwallis.   The museum is set in extensive and beautiful lawns and is lit up at night. A laser audio-visual show is held on the lawns every evening. "Nike", the Greek Goddess of victory, on top of the museum, is said to be haunted and has been prominently featured in many Kolkata stories and novels. Drones not allowed. Garden: ₹4 for Indians. Museum: ₹20 for Indians and ₹150 for foreigners. Camera free. Light and sound shows: ₹10 and ₹20.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 22.54295188.34536612 Academy of Fine Arts, [email protected].  (updated Nov 2022)
• 22.545588.347313 Birla Planetarium (বিড়লা তারামণ্ডল Biṛlā Tārāmaṇḍal), 96, Chowringhee Rd, (N of St. Paul's Cathedral). One of the oldest planetaria in India. The only planetarium in the country whose dome houses a collection of projectors and optical equipment expensively imported from the erstwhile East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South Asia and the second largest in the world. Daily shows in English, Hindi and Bengali. The central dome measures 25 m (82 ft) in diameter.  (updated Dec 2025)
• 22.54231588.34722514 Nehru Children's Museum, 94/1, Chowringhee Rd (metro: Rabindra Sadan  1 ), ☏ +91 33 2223 1551, [email protected]. 11AM-7PM (close M and Tu). A museum with a collection of over a thousand dolls across four floors of the building. Most of the dolls are collected from different states of India, dressed in traditional attire. The Indian epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are depicted here through puppets and miniature models. There are also dolls from 88 nations with their own dresses, meant to be a window to the world. ₹20.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 22.5441788.3466715 St. Paul's Cathedral (সেন্ট পলস ক্যাথিড্রাল Senṭ Pals Kyāthiḍrāl), 1A, Cathedral Rd. The largest Anglican church in Kolkata. It was constructed in 1847 and serves as a cathedral church of Church of North India (CNI). This Gothic-styled cathedral was designed by William Nairn Forbes.  (updated Apr 2023)

In the early 18th century, a dense jungle was cut down to build a fort and develop the Maidan, after the earlier mud defence was destroyed in 1756. Completed in 1733, the fort was named Fort William after King William III. It was officially renamed Vijay Durg (literally "Victory Fort") in 2025, decades after its takeover by the Indian Army. The fort is built of brick and mortar in an irregular octagonal star shape. There are six gates and is similar to other forts of this period (Thalassery fort).

Today, it is the headquarters of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, and access is limited for civilians. However, it organises a heritage walk for visitors every Sunday with a batch of 15-20 visitors, starting from the East Gate. The ticket cost is ₹300, which can be paid online or in cash on arrival. Participants have to display their identity. Slippers and half-length trousers are not allowed in the premises. Photography is limited to some of the following spots.

• 22.5586988.3398716 Command Museum. Contains artefacts related to the history of Kolkata, the Eastern Command, the Burma Campaign, the 1962 Sino-Indian war and the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.  (updated Sep 2025)
• 22.5550988.3374517 Manekshaw House (formerly Kitchener's House). A four-storey mixed Gothic-Georgian building that was built in 1771 and named after one of the commanders-in-chief of Fort William. The building was later renamed after S.H.F.J. Manekshaw, Indian Army's first field marshal. Governor-General Lord Wellesley spent 14 years here. The building is used as the officers' mess.  (updated Sep 2025)
• 22.5562588.3439718 Purvi Kaman Vijay Smarak (right side of the East Gate). Visible from Indira Gandhi Sarani (Red Road), the monument consists of three tall granite columns upholding the insignia of the Eastern Command. The wall behind the monument has names of military personnel of the Command who martyred in 1962 and 1967 Sino-Indian wars, the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, and various counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.  (updated Sep 2025)
• 22.5576888.337319 St Peter's Anglican Church (Fort William Church). The sole church of Vijay Durg, and once a chaplaincy centre to the British in the city. Resembling the chapel of Cambridge's Trinity Hall, the white Gothic-style church was established in 1822. It contains the Command Library with a collection of over 35,000 books.  (updated Sep 2025)

• 22.5496388.3449971 Brigade Parade Ground. The main part of the Maidan, and this is what most people think of when they hear "Maidan"; an open ground surrounded by the Vijay Durg at the west, Chowringhee at the east and the Victoria Memorial at the south. It is also the venue of major political meetings and rallies in Kolkata.  (updated Feb 2026)

• 22.542188.34552 Nandan (নন্দন), 1/1, AJC Bose Rd (metro: Rabindra Sadan  1 ). The symbol of art and culture in the city. Major festivals are held here, including Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF).  (updated Dec 2022)
• 22.54191288.3446673 Rabindra Sadan (রবীন্দ্র সদন Rabīndra Sadan) (metro: Rabindra Sadan  1 ), ☏ +91 33 2223 9917. Theatre and cultural centre built 1961-67.  (updated Nov 2022)
• 22.5419988.34624 Sisir Mancha (শিশির মঞ্চ Śiśir Mañca), 1-1, AJC Bose Rd (metro: Rabindra Sadan  1 ). A building housing an auditorium for Bengali theatres, an art gallery, and an information centre for tourists in Kolkata.  (updated Jul 2025)

• 22.54354988.3446795 Mohor Kunja (Citizens' Park). A park known for its musical fountains and an open-air stage for cultural events.  (updated Nov 2025)

• 22.5525688.334486 Eastern Command Sports Stadium (Fort William Stadium) (near Vidyasagar Setu Bridge).  
• 22.56444488.3433337 Eden Gardens (suburban: Edengarden  Circular ). One of the venues of international cricket matches in India, named after Lord Auckland’s sister. It is also the host stadium of the Bengal Cricket Association (BCA) and the Kolkata Knight RIders (KKR), one of the IPL (Indian Premier League) teams.  (updated Nov 2022)
• 22.54431188.3364838 Kolkata Race Course, Hastings. Built in 1819, it is one of the best in the east and is the scene of much gaiety, especially during the winter season. Founded in 1847, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club is the oldest turf club in India and one of the most beautiful and largest in the world.  (updated Aug 2022)

• 22.55947988.3438549 East Bengal Ground.  (updated Dec 2024)
• 22.56234288.34587110 Mohammedan Sporting Ground.  (updated Jul 2025)
• 22.56203588.34222311 Mohun Bagan Ground.  (updated Dec 2024)

• 22.5594188.333071 The Scoop, 71 Strand Rd, ☏ +91 33 22485680. noon to 10PM. Fast food outlet. It has an exclusive view of the river from the first floor of the restaurant. Sitting in the restaurant, one can watch boats moving in the river and cars moving across Vidyasagar Setu.  

• 22.5418788.3467461 Maidan Police Station, ☏ +91 33 2223 2462, +91 33 2223 4551, +91 33 2248 0100, +91 62922 58104, [email protected].  (updated Nov 2025)