After leaving Rabindranath Tagore’s house, I walked to the Marble Palace.
After passing security, I made my way to the crowded entrance. People were waiting for someone. After a short wait, a guide appeared. He’d just finished his previous tour. We joined him for a tour and brief history. He pointed out various sculptures in its lush and opulent interior.
The Marble Palace is a unique 19th-century mansion that stands as one of Kolkata’s most distinctive heritage buildings.
It was built in 1835 by wealthy Bengali merchant Raja Rajendra Mullick. It’s constructed in neoclassical architectural style with elements of traditional Bengali design. The name comes from its lavish use of Italian marble throughout the building.
The palace is now a private residence owned by Mullick’s descendants but some of the ground floor is open to visitors.
Inside is one of India’s finest private art collections, including works by European masters like Rubens, Reynolds, and Titian. Some of these works are dispputed.
There’s an eclectic array of antiques, sculptures, and decorative items including Victorian furniture, chandeliers, clocks, and porcelain.
Other features include many busts, statues, and ornaments made from Italian marble.
The interior spaces include ornate halls, a music room, and reception areas with lavish decoration. I was smitten by the grey parrots. I also saw a snooker/billiard table!
The palace represents the unique cultural blend that characterised colonial Kolkota. It exemplifies the Bengali Renaissance period when wealthy Indians embraced both European and Indian artistic traditions. You see how the 19th-century Bengali aristocracy lived.
Afterwards, I walked around the lush gardens and had lunch there, admiring the ponds, fountains, and landscaped areas.
I was surprised to discover a small private zoo. It housed mainly birds.
There were peacocks and this resplendent golden pheasant.
The undoubted star was this hornbill malabar pied, who was a real character.
