Victoria Memorial

What Story Does the White Marble Tell?

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, finished in 1921, is an important building from the time when the British ruled India. It was built to honor Queen Victoria after she died in 1901. Lord Curzon, a British governor, wanted it to show the strength and glory of the British Empire. The monument is historically important because it reminds us of India’scolonial past and the period when people in India were beginning to demand freedom. Today, it is a museum that helps us learn about life during the British period. The architecture of the Victoria Memorial is a mix of British and Indian styles. It was designed by Sir William Emerson and made with shining white Makrana marble. The building has large domes, tall pillars, and decorative features like chattris and jali work, which are common in Mughal architecture. The big central dome is topped with a bronze statue called the Angel of Victory. Beautiful gardens surround the building,making it look even more grand. This mix of designs shows how the British tried to blend their own architecture with Indian traditions, creating a building that is both elegant and historically meaningful.