Dalhousie
City Heroines – Women’s Day special heritage walk through Dalhousie’s stories of reform and resistance
International Women’s Day, observed on March 8, marks a global moment to recognise the social, political, and cultural contributions of women. In Kolkata, many of these histories are closely tied to Dalhousie Square — now known as B.B.D. Bagh — the administrative and political heart of colonial-era Calcutta.
Surrounded by landmark institutions and government buildings, the historic spot has long been associated with power, policy, and public life.
Majestic Metcalfe Hall at 12, Strand Road, BBD Bagh. Photo Courtesy: Award-winning photographer Bijoy Chowdhury
Once the seat of British administration in eastern India, B.B.D. Bagh not only remains a space layered with stories of reform, resistance, and governance, but also holds lesser-known accounts of women who moved through these corridors — as educators, reformers, and revolutionaries — shaping the course of the city and the nation.
On March 7, a special evening heritage walk titled City Heroines will be organised by Gatha-Tales of India at Dalhousie Square to mark the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Statue of Lakshmishwar Singh, Maharaja of Dwarbhanga, glorifying with his royal look at Dalhousie Square. Photo Courtesy: Award-winning photographer Bijoy Chowdhury
The walk seeks to revisit the stories of women who played defining roles in Kolkata’s political and social life, drawing attention to voices that have not always found equal space in mainstream histories.
Event Details:
Date: March 7, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 6 pm – 8pm
Location: Dalhousie Square
Nearest metro station: Chandni Chowk
Registration Amount: ₹ 300
Rest of the details will be shared in the WhatsApp group created particularly for this event, prior to the Heritage Walk.
You can join the WhatsApp group and register via the link https://acesse.one/nGTR9
Moving through the historic precinct, including landmarks such as Writers' Building, Raj Bhavan, and St. John's Church, the walk will explore narratives of resilience, reform, and resistance. It will focus not only on the architecture of these colonial-era structures but on the women who challenged social norms and carved space for themselves within political movements, educational reforms, and the freedom struggle.
Some amazing engraved figures on the wall of the Standard Life Insurance Building. Photo Courtesy: Award-winning photographer Bijoy Chowdhury
From pioneers of women’s education and social reform to freedom fighters who walked these very streets, Dalhousie — or B.B.D. Bagh — stands as a witness to their contributions. The initiative aims to highlight these often-overlooked narratives and underscore the idea that the story of the city remains incomplete without the women who helped shape its social, political, and cultural perspectives.
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