Information on Warren Hastings House (Kolkata, West Bengal) - History & Architecture

Warren Hastings House is one of the legacy constructions of West Bengal. It is situated in Alipore of Kolkata. As the name suggest, it is originally the nation house of Warren Hastings, the governor of India during the period of 1775 to 1785. This heritage construction was later developed as government guest house by Colonel Curzon, the viceroy of India in the year 1901.

Warren Hastings House Architecture

Warren Hastings House is counted among the famous heritage structures of Kolkata which replicate simple cubical western architectural style of British era. The house is formerly decorated in while colour. It is a two storeyed building which comprises several living rooms in the ground floor. Warren Hasting's House also comprise a big gallery in the upper floor which is convoyed with many halls. These rooms are supposed to be used for the purpose of lodging. Warren Hasting's House is additionally decorated with attractive stairway which was polished with Madras architectural style. Furthermore, Warren Hasting's House is also enclosed with a lovely garden.

The house is regarded as one of the impressive creations of the early colonial age which appealed Warren Hastings in the later age. As a consequence, he decided to reside in this mansion for the rest period of his life. After the demise of Warren Hasting, this house has been maintained by the then government and was turned into a popular tourist spot. In the year 1954, Warren Hasting's House was transformed into a college namely 'Institute of Education for Women' which is affiliated under the 'University of Calcutta'.

Warren Hastings House History

There is weird history which is related with Warren Hasting's House. The house itself is an example of the most haunting subsistence during the era of the rule of British East India Company in Alipore. Created in 1777, the house was defined as 'Perfect Bijou'. The design of the house impressed Warren Hasting and thus, he had decided to undertake a sales deed for the house in the year 1785. Hasting loved this house and had spent significant memorable time in there. It was sais that whenever he returned from England, he arranged the garden of his house.

Legend says that Warren Hasting's House is quite horrible and haunted place. From time to time, many people had described veracious incidents of the existence of unnatural spirit in the house. It was said that every year Hasting arrived to this house and it was highly related with his memory of sadness, pain and unhappiness. In the year 1887, he was accused for engaging in criminal and corruption activities. Such allegation slandered him from many aspects and on that time he spend considerable amount of time in that house. From various sources it was also found that he had many evidences against such accusations in Warren Hasting's House in order to prove himself cleared. Thus, it is believed that there is still his spirit due to existence of such reminiscence. Furthermore, history also states that Warren Hasting's notorious wife and children also had unnatural death within this house. Thus, it was also one of the key reasons for such spectral incidents.

Warren Hastings House Tourism Importance

Since Warren Hasting's House has become a college, it is not so popular place for tourism. The house is presently owned by Calcutta University, having various M. Ed courses. However, due to its unique legacy, Warren Hasting's House or presently the campus of Institute of Education for Women attracts considerable number of students from all over West Bengal.