Writers Building is one of the finest examples of classical European architecture available in present times in India. Writers` Building serves as the secretariat of the West Bengal State Government and is situated in the capital city of Kolkata. The colossal all-red building originally served as the government agency for British East India Company writers, basically who served as clerical and administrative staffs. The building has thus come to be known by its contemporary name. Designed by Thomas Lyon in 1780, Writers` Building received its extraordinary Corinthian facade in 1889, a rare illustration of Neo-Renaissance. There is a statue of Britannia (also known as Pretannia, Diodorus`s Greek counterpart of the indigenous name Pretani, Britannia was personified as a goddess by the Romans) on top the principal entrance.
Writers` Building is placed on the northern land of the water body, locally referred to as Lal Dighi in B.B.D. Bagh (previously known as Dalhousie Square) area in Kolkata. Umpteen departments of the West Bengal government are housed within this building. It is an edifice of immense political consequence and remembrances of the Indian Independence Movement. Writers` Building which is also referred to and hugely popular as "Mahakaran" in Bengali idiom, stands imposingly on a sprawling 10 acres of land, consisting of a total of thirteen four storeyed edifices. The West Bengal Cabinet Ministers have their offices located in this olympian Raj era building. Writers` Building absolutely sums up the political revolution of Bengal. The Chief Minister`s office is also located within this building. In present timers, a least of six thousand officials work within the building`s premises. Every kind of significant document and other records of the West Bengal Government are preserved for future usage in the Writers` Building.
Visiting Information: The best time for tourer`s visit or outside passes for visitors for the administrative edifice, Writers` Building is during office hours, comprising from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. However, the preferred and advised modified timings include within 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. The Writers` Building ministerial group however charges no admission fee for visiting outsiders. Being the high-point in Kolkata, Writers` Building is easily accessible through the primary means of transport. Local buses and taxis are available from various parts of the city. The nearest railway station being Sealdah, Writers Building can also be reached by Metro Railway. The nearest Metro station is Esplanade. The nearest international airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (rather popular and known as Dum Dum Airport). The approximate time required for visiting the entire colonial edifice is one hour. Photography both in forms of still and video is however strictly prohibited within the Writers` Building premises and nearby locations.
History of Writers` Building, Kolkata: History of Writers Building first can be traced into the later years of the 17th century, when the gigantic building was yet to take shape. During that time there used to exist two separate buildings, which were designated for the East India Company writers, hence lending the building its present name. With passage of time, the situation was taken over as a serious issue, in which the lawmakers had decided to turn Writers` Building into an administrative and governmental one.
