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Mullick's Rajbari (mansion) at
central Kolkata
The
native elite and wealthy families of Calcutta, the Zamindars (landlords)
lived a life of extravagant luxury, of idleness and engaged
in
entertaining high British officials
These families lived in mansions called 'Rajbari', reflect a blend of
European and Indian architecture - lion pillars at the entrance, 'thakurdalan'
(hall for worship) and 'nachghar' (dance room) are common along with exclusive interiors symbolized the power and wealth of their
owners
With every passing generation income of these royal living families got
reduced, reserved and resources wasted
Today chandeliers are under wraps, if not fallen off, exquisitely curved
furniture, oil painting, imported art objects, mirrors and glassware
have been sold. Major portion of the building is rented out for
garages, warehouses and ancillary units. Some 'Rajbari' have
fallen to pieces and
other crashed under bulldozers
to make way for multi-storied buildings
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