Dominating the upper Maidan near Esplanade bus station, Shahid Minar is a 48m-tall round-topped hollow column commemorating martyrs of the Indian Independence Movement, though it had originally been built in 1828 to commemorate a British military commander named David Ochterlony. It's no longer possible to climb the upper ramparts of the tower. Circus performers, political firebrands and dealers in mystic medicines frequently entertain crowds around the column's base. Things pick up at this flea market especially on Saturday afternoons.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
4.81 MILES
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1.31 MILES
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3.87 MILES
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2.68 MILES
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1.49 MILES
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0.35 MILES
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1.64 MILES
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1.43 MILES
Near the southeast end of Howrah Bridge, this flower market is fascinatingly colourful virtually 24 hours a day. However, if you visit at daybreak, you'll…
Nearby Kolkata (Calcutta) attractions
0.15 MILES
In the northeastern corner of the Maidan, this chunky cenotaph formed of brown-stone blocks commemorates Calcuttans who fell in WWI.
0.16 MILES
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0.19 MILES
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0.26 MILES
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0.31 MILES
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0.33 MILES
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0.35 MILES
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0.35 MILES
New Market has a grand colonial clocktower, but by day it's a nest of handicraft touts. Come before 8am, while the touts are sleeping, to calmly…
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