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Where did the name Kolkata or Kalikata possibly come from?
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Kolkata
Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, India.
The name Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is an Anglicized version of the Bengali name Kalikata. While the exact origin remains a subject of debate, there are three primary theories regarding its etymology:
- Ground of Kali: Some suggest the name is derived from Kalikshetra, which translates to "Ground of (the goddess) Kali."1
- Canal Location: Another theory posits that the name refers to the location of the original settlement on the bank of a canal, known as a khal.1
- Lime Production: A third perspective traces the name to the Bengali words kali (lime or calcium oxide) and kata (burnt shell), noting that the area was historically recognized for the manufacture of shell lime.1
In 2001, the government of West Bengal officially adopted the name Kolkata for the city.1