College Street is about 1.5 km long street in central Kolkata in West Bengal.
Stretching of College Street
College Street stretches from about Ganesh Chandra Avenue Crossing in Bowbazar area to Mahatma Gandhi Road crossing.
Naming of College Street
The name derives from the presence of many colleges. It has the housing of many centres of intellectual activity, especially the Indian Coffee House. This cafeteria is favourite for intellectuals. The history of the Coffee House at College Street can be traced to Albert Hall, which was founded in April 1876. Later, the Coffee Board decided to start a coffee joint from the Albert Hall in 1942. Rabindranath Tagore and Subhas Chandra Bose, Kazi Nazrul Islam were frequent visitors to the place. In 1947, the Central Government changed the name of the place to "Coffee House". The place became a meeting place for poets, artistes, literati and people from the world of art and culture. In 1958, the management decided to shut down the Coffee House, but it was re-opened the same year, after professors of Presidency College and Calcutta University rushed off a special petition to the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal to save the heritage place in College Street.
Essence of College Street
College Street is most famous for its small and big bookstores, which gives it the nickname of "Colony of Books". There are number of Book stall located here. The street is also dotted with countless very small book kiosks which sell new and old books.
World"s Largest Book Market is India
College Street is the largest second-hand book market in the world and largest book market in India. It has boast of a collection of almost any title ever sold at Kolkata. One can buy rare books at throw-away prices and extensive bargaining take place. In 2007, College Street featured among the famous landmarks of India which have made it to Time Magazine"s "Best of Asia" list.
Educational Institutions in College Street
Presidency University, University of Calcutta, Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, Sanskrit College, Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Hare School, and Hindu School are the prominent educational institutions in College Street Area, established in colonial and post colonial era.
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University of Calcutta
Culture of Kolkata
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