Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal. Here’s a brief history:

Ancient and Medieval Periods

1. Ganga Kingdom (3rd century BCE): The area around Kolkata was part of the ancient Ganga Kingdom.
2. Bengal Sultanate (14th-16th century): The region was ruled by the Bengal Sultanate, a Muslim kingdom.

British Colonial Era

1. Job Charnock (1690): British trader Job Charnock established a trading post in the area, marking the beginning of British rule.
2. Calcutta (1698): The British East India Company renamed the settlement Calcutta and established it as their Indian capital.
3. Battle of Plassey (1757): The British defeated the Bengal Sultanate, leading to the expansion of British rule in India.
4. Calcutta as Capital (1772): Calcutta became the capital of British India, a position it held until 1911.

Indian Independence Movement

1. Bengal Renaissance (19th century): Kolkata became a hub of cultural and intellectual awakening, influencing the Indian independence movement.
2. Swadeshi Movement (1905): The Swadeshi Movement, led by Bengali nationalists, aimed to boycott British goods and promote Indian industries.

Post-Independence Era

1. Partition of India (1947): Kolkata experienced significant migration and demographic changes following the partition of India.
2. Refugee Settlements (1947-1960s): The city absorbed millions of refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), leading to the development of new neighborhoods and communities.
3. Modern Kolkata (1970s-present): Kolkata has continued to grow and develop, with a focus on education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.

Key Dates

1. 1690: Job Charnock establishes a trading post.
2. 1757: Battle of Plassey.
3. 1772: Calcutta becomes the capital of British India.
4. 1947: India gains independence; partition of India leads to refugee influx.
5. 2001: Calcutta is officially renamed Kolkata.

Important Figures

1. Job Charnock: British trader who established the first trading post.
2. Rabindranath Tagore: Bengali polymath and Nobel laureate who played a key role in the Bengal Renaissance.
3. Subhas Chandra Bose: Indian nationalist leader who led the Indian National Army during World War II.
4. Mother Teresa: Catholic nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata.