General Post Office

ph-general-post-office

General Post Office (GPO) at Kolkata. Courtesy: Wikipedia

GPO or the General Post Office of Kolkata is the central post office of this metropolitan city and it is also the major post office of West Bengal. The post office manages majority of the outbound and inbound mail and parcels of the city. GPO is one of the most prominent landmarks of Kolkata. The construction process of this imposing structure was initiated in the year 1864 and it was finally completed in 1868 at a cost of Rs. 6,30,510. Walter B. Grenvile designed this marvel of architecture. The star feature of the grand structure of Calcutta GPO is the towering Ionic-Corinthian pillars.

Location of General Post Office, Kolkata

General Post Office (GPO) nestles at the crossing of Netaji Subhas Road and Koilaghat Street. It is located in the B.B.D. Bagh area.

History of General Post Office, Kolkata

The postal system was introduced in Kolkata by Warren Hastings in 1774. The General Post Office (GPO) is one of the most popular landmarks of Kolkata. The construction of the majestic structure started in 1864 and was completed in 1868. GPO is the central post office of Kolkata and the prime post office of West Bengal. It takes care of the outbound and inbound mails and parcels of the city.

The imposing structure of the Post Office has been designed by Walter B. Grenville in 1864. Walter B. Grenville served as the consulting architect to the Government of India from 1863 to 1868. The massive and structure of the Post Office is highly admired for its high domed roof, which raises over 220 feet and the towering Ionic-Corinthian pillars. The building’s white dome with a huge clock is supported by an octagonal base and 28 Corinthian pillars.

A Postal Museum was also created in 1884, which displays an excellent collection of artifacts and stamps. The Philatelic Bureau is situated at the southwestern end of the building.

The place where GPO is situated was actually the site of the first Fort William, which was damaged by Shiraj-ud-Daulah at the time of the “Seige of Calcutta” in 1756. It is also said to be the site of the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta. The staircase at the eastern side of the GPO features brass plate, which marks the eastern end of the Old Fort William, which is probably the sole remaining of the ancient fort of Calcutta. Lately, a marble plaque has been installed on the Eastern walls of GPO, which highlight the Brass Plate.

To the north of the GPO is the Kolkata Collectorate, which was once the office of the regional ‘Collector’, a designation invented by the British Government after 1857 to replace the traditional Zamindars.

 

Trivia of General Post Office at Kolkata

  • The General Post Office (GPO) is the central post office of the city of Kolkata and the chief post office of West Bengal.
  • GPO was built at the site of the old Fort William, built in 1700, which was ruined by Shiraj-ud-Daulah during the “Seige of Calcutta” in 1756.
  • The eastern side staircase of the GPO still features an almost obliterate brass plate, which marks the eastern end of the old Fort William, the only remaining of the old fort of Calcutta.
  • The imposing structure of the GPO with high doomed roof and tall Ionic-Corinthian pillars truly offers a visual pleasure.
  • The General Post Office houses a Postal Museum that was built in 1884. The museum displays an excellent collection of artifacts and stamps.
  • The Philatelic Bureau is found on the southwestern end of the building.
  • The GPO was built in 1868 at a whopping cost of Rs.6,30,510.