Sandip Roy's Commentary: Kolkata's Journey from Vibrant Capital to Marginalized Metropolis in Modern India

Roy's Perspective

In his poignant commentary, Sandip Roy traces Kolkata's transformation from British India's vibrant capital to a shadow of its former self. He highlights how post-1911 capital shift to Delhi, industrial decline, and policy neglect turned the "culture capital" into a "decaying nostalgia capital," urging a rethink on its future role.
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Key Highlights

Historical Decline: Capital moved to Delhi in 1911 amid Bengal unrest; ports prioritized Mumbai/Chennai, stifling Kolkata's maritime edge.
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Economic Marginalization: Colonial loot, post-independence stagnation, and artisan economy collapse left lasting poverty and dependency.​

Cultural Richness Persists: Roy celebrates cosmopolitan layers—Chinese, Anglo-Indian influences—yet notes identity erosion and modern irrelevance.
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Call for Revival: Questions ahead for the city of intellectual legacy, now overshadowed in India's growth narrative.​

Roy's piece resonates as a love letter to a resilient yet forgotten metropolis.

Sources: Kindle Magazine, Portside Review, LinkedIn analysis.