Kolkata district is a district of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the smallest district of West Bengal by area and is unique in that it is fully urban, with its boundaries coterminous with the area administered by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The district forms the core of the Kolkata metropolitan region and serves as the state capital.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | West Bengal |
| Division | Presidency division |
| Headquarters | Kolkata |
| Type | Fully urban district |
| Local body | Kolkata Municipal Corporation |
| Official language | Bengali, English |
The district covers the city of Kolkata on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. It is bordered by North 24 Parganas to the north and east, South 24 Parganas to the south, and Howrah district across the Hooghly to the west. Unlike other districts of West Bengal, Kolkata district has no rural component, no community development blocks, and no panchayati raj institutions; civic administration is handled entirely by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
The district is headed by a District Magistrate appointed by the Government of West Bengal. For municipal governance, the area is divided into boroughs and wards under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, which is led by a Mayor. Police administration is handled by the Kolkata Police, a separate force from the West Bengal Police, headed by a Commissioner of Police.
The settlement that grew into Kolkata is traditionally associated with the late 17th-century activities of the British East India Company around the villages of Sutanuti, Gobindapur, and Kalikata. The city served as the capital of British India until 1911, when the capital was shifted to Delhi. After the Partition of India in 1947, Calcutta became the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. The city was officially renamed Kolkata in 2001, and the district name was updated accordingly.
The district lies in the Ganges delta region, on largely flat alluvial terrain at low elevation. The Hooghly River forms its western boundary. The climate is tropical, with a hot and humid summer, a pronounced monsoon between June and September, and a mild, dry winter. The district is densely populated and almost entirely built-up, with parks such as the Maidan forming significant green spaces.
Kolkata district is a major commercial, financial, and cultural centre of eastern India. It hosts the headquarters of public sector undertakings, banks, and the Calcutta High Court, the oldest High Court in India. Notable institutions situated within the district include the University of Calcutta, the Indian Museum, the Victoria Memorial, and the Asiatic Society. The Port of Kolkata, one of the oldest operating ports in India, is located on the Hooghly within the district.
The district is served by Howrah and Sealdah as the main railway terminals serving the city, with Sealdah lying within the district. The Kolkata Metro, the first metro rail system in India, operates within the district. Air connectivity is provided by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, located in the adjoining North 24 Parganas district.
As the capital of West Bengal and the urban core of one of India's largest metropolitan areas, Kolkata district plays a central role in the politics, economy, education, literature, theatre, and arts of eastern India.