![]() Location of Garden Reach Garden Reach is situated in the south eastern part of Kolkata near the bank of the Hooghly River. Geography of Garden Reach Garden Reach includes the Metiabruz, BNR Colony, Bartala, Bandhabartala and Sicklane Geographical Extension of Garden Reach Garden Reach is situated at the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in the South Eastern part of Kolkata. It is north-east of Maheshtala, west of Kidderpore and to the north of Taratala, Behala. History of Garden Reach Garden Reach is related to the history of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, fifth King of Awadh, who after being ousted by the British East India Company made Garden Reach his residence. It is the hub of his close relatives, musicians, cooks and animals from his menagerie. He came ashore at Bichali Ghat near Metiabruz on May 6, 1856. A year later when the First War of Independence spread to Lucknow and the sepoys installed one of his sons to the throne of Awadh. Wajid Ali Shah was imprisoned in Fort William by the British along with his Prime Minister, due to the fear that he could become a rallying figure for the sepoys. He had been given a number of fine houses with vast grounds stretching along the banks of the river Hooghly at Metiabruz. Heartbroken after leaving Lucknow, he carved out a miniature of Lucknow in Metiabruz. In his exile in Metiabruz, he tried to keep the sweet memories of his Lucknow era alive by recreating the musical environments of his Kaisarbagh Baradari. The king spent his life lavishly out of his income of 12 lakhs rupees per annum and a "second Lucknow" arose in this area. Modern Garden Reach Modern Garden Reach is now populated with Muslims and Biharis. Now, this city is more congested than any other places in Kolkata. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers is the premier Warship building company in India, under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence. There are more than 100 factories in this region. Related Articles Kolkata Culture of Kolkata Economy of Kolkata West Bengal Cities of West Bengal Culture of West Bengal Tourism In West Bengal History of Kolkata |