The Path to Learning - College Street Walks
Saturday, March 21, 2026
5pm to 7:30pm
Starting from Sradhananda Park (Gate on Ahmerst Street)
Ending at the gate of Calcutta University
The coming up of Presidency College (now University), Calcutta University, Hare School, Sanskrit College, Hindu School and later Medical College along with numerous other institutions have made this the exclusive zone of our city. We have called this "The Path to Learning" as with the growth of students came books, and with books came ideas. Slowly, small bookshops turned into endless rows of stalls, making College Street the largest second-hand book market in the world.
A printing press was also started here after being introduced in other parts of the city in the old days. In the 1850s, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Madanmohon Tarkalankar had opened a book store named "Sanskrit Press Depository". The shop does not exist any longer, but the corner does. David Hare, a Scottish watch maker turned educationist, started his school in a small room off College Square. The man still lies buried at College Square in his own land, even after 184 years of his death.
Here is probably a unique stretch of a road which is nowhere to be found in the world. This stretch houses a mosque, a church, a monastery along with a centre for rational thinkers, and a Theosophical Society. All adjacent to each other with their unique identities and their own past and heritage.
For generations, this area has shaped minds. Freedom fighters, writers, poets, teachers and students have all walked these lanes, searching for knowledge. Turbulent past, political rallies and disturbances were therefore prevalent as ideas spread. The riots have left an indelible mark in this area. Revolutionaries fighting against the colonial rule had their secret hideouts here for meetings, in the first half of 20th century.
Time moves forward, but this area carries the soul of Kolkata, page by page, year after year.
This is a curated guided walking trip, brought to you by Kolkata Explorers (a division of Green Step Tourism).
WE WILL PROVIDE:
* Our service in taking you around the hidden gems of Kolkata
* Our sharing of interesting stories of this locality
* Light refreshments and tea from the roadside stall
CHARGES: Rs 1250/- per head.
PAYMENTS TO:
GREEN STEP EVENT MANAGEMENT
Current Account No. 0075050027681
Punjab National Bank, Koley Market Branch, Kol 700012
IFSC: PUNB0007520
OR YOU CAN PAY THROUGH GPAY/PAYTM TO 9874062962 (Avijit Dhar Chowdhury)
CANCELLATION POLICY :
No returns on cancellation at any time in between 7 days of the date of event or on NO SHOW
For any enquiries please call us at 9874062962 (Whatsapp)
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