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Government of India Ministry of Culture
HomeMonuments › Old Building of the Asiatic Society

Old Building of the Asiatic Society

एसियाटिक सोसायटी का पुराना भवन
Free entry
Kolkata Sub-Circle

About this monument

The Asiatic Society was founded by Sir William Jones in 15.1.1784 to enhance and further the cause of Oriental Research. The name underwent a number of changes such as The Asiatick Society (1784-1825), The Asiatic Society (1825-1832), The Asiatic Society of Bengal (1832-1935), The Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal (1936-1951) and The Asiatic Society since July 1951. At the time of its foundation, The Asiatic Society had no permanent meeting place. In 1823, the Society moved to its own building on 1, Park Street. The symmetrical double storeyed brick building represents th the 18 century British Colonial Architectural style. The interior is more elaborate than its exterior. A grand timber staircase leads from it ground floor to the second storey. The central hall in the upper storey has free standing tonic columns and semi-circular arches. The building has a great historic importance as housing the principal centre of Oriental studies and research since its construction.

Site plan

https://asikolkata.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/old-building-of-the-asiatic-society-plan.webp

Site plan from the ASI Inventory of Monuments and Sites of National Importance, Vol. VII Part IV, Kolkata Circle (2015).

Photographs

High-resolution photographs are protected — viewing only, downloading is disabled.

Visitor Amenities

Facilities available here.

  • Toilet for Female and Male
  • Drinking Water
  • Cultural Notice Board (CNB) in English, Hindi and Bengali
  • Protection Notice Board (PNB)
  • Parking
  • CCTV/ Surveillance

Source: ASI Kolkata Circle — Monument Site-wise Amenities List.

Gazette Notification

Statutory notification declaring this a centrally protected monument.

Preliminary Notification
4 pages · 0.41 MB
View
Final Notification
4 pages · 0.43 MB
View

Location & Map

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Location supplied by the Circle.

Locality
Park Street, Kolkata
Coordinates
22° 33′ 17″ N, 88° 21′ 03″ E
Sub-circle
Kolkata Sub-Circle
Category
Protected Monument
Gazette Sl. No.
58
Access
Free entry
Airport
N.S.C.B.I. Airport, Dum Dum
Railway station
Howrah or Sealdah
Bus station
Esplanade
Admission

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