Calcutta (Kolkata), India

The name Kolkata and the anglicised name Calcutta have their roots in Kalikata, the name of one of the three villages (Kalikata, Sutanuti, Govindapur) in the area before the arrival of the British.

While the city's name was always pronounced "Kolkata" or "Kolikata" in the local Bengali language, its official English name was changed from "Calcutta" to "Kolkata" in 2001, reflecting the Bengali pronunciation.

Calcutta has a great architectural heritage. See the Queen Victoria monument and neo-gothic law courts. Although Calcutta is known for its poverty, it's a compelling city, a city with a soul, and a visit there can be one of the richest experiences on Earth.