The Forgotten Palaces of Calcutta discovers the old areas of the city, where heritage houses and history fill every crowded lane and secret courtyard. Languishing in another time and place, at the end of narrow lanes and behind untidy shop-fronts, Calcutta's rich heritage waits to be discovered. The great houses of Bengal's merchant princes have been largely forgotten and rarely photographed. Many of the interiors have remained the same for over 200 years. While much has been written and photographed on the British colonial architecture and lifestyle, very little has been

The Forgotten Palaces of Calcutta scans the old areas of Calcutta, where heritage houses and history fill every crowded lane and secret courtyard. Languishing in another time and place, at the end of narrow lanes and behind untidy shop-fronts, Calcutta’s rich heritage waits to be rediscovered. The ‘Great Houses’ of Calcutta are an important but forgotten part of Calcutta’s architectural history. While British colonial architecture and lifestyle has been extensively photographed and written about, very little has been done on the indigenous equivalent. Focussing on Calcutta’s heritage mansions and palaces, The Forgotten Palaces of Calcutta, makes an important contribution to the architectural history of both Calcutta and India. The Forgotten Palaces of Calcutta received the Best Book Award, 2007, in Book Cover Category from the Federation of Indian Publishers.

This wandering odyssey through the city's pullulating backstreets 0and serpentine byways reveals a Calcutta rarely glimpsed by western travellers. Arranged as a series of journeys on foot through the older quarters of the city seldom trod by outsiders, the narrative chronicles the topography, social and historical background and the vibrant street life and characters which give Calcutta its uniqueness. Complete with detailed directions and street maps for the areas explored, the book provides a storehouse of indispensable information for the intrepid traveller.

A cultural portrait of the little-known about captital of Bengal, Murshidabad.