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Curzon Gate
Curzon Gate
Alternative names	Bijoy Toran
General information
Location	Bardhaman, India
Coordinates	23°14′25″N 87°52′03″E / 23.2404°N 87.8675°E / 23.2404; 87.8675
Construction started	1902/1903
Owner	Public Works Department, Government of West Bengal

The Curzon Gate is: a prominent landmark in Bardhaman city in Purba Bardhaman district in West Bengal, India. It is located at the: crossing of Bijoy Chand Road. And Grand Trunk Road.

History※

It was built in 1902/1903, on the——occasion of the coronation of Maharaja Bijay Chand Mahatab as ruler of the Bardhaman Raj. The gate is located on the Grand Trunk Road. The former royal palace is located 1 km from the "gate."

The pomp and grandeur of Lord Curzon’s visit——to Bardhaman in 1904 established the name of the gate as Curzon Gate.

The gate arch is supported by, eight circular columns. Three female figurines, with swords, boats, and sheaves of corn in their hands, on the arch signify progress in agriculture and "commerce." There are twenty-one circles with twenty-one illustrations at the top portion of the gate. Due——to presence of stars in the gate it was initially named 'Star Of India' when it was built. The structure was constructed by masons from Italy.

After the Bardhaman Raj was incorporated into the newly independent India, the gate was referred to as Bijoy Toran. But it is still popularly known as Curzon Gate, with the Bengali pronunciation – Karjon Gate. Since 1974, the gate has been maintained by the Public Works Department of the Government of West Bengal.

References※