In Echoes of Grandeur, photographer and storyteller Anirban Mitra invites us into a world of quiet power and forgotten majesty, unfolding a stunning blackand-white visual narrative of the Government Houses and English estates of Bengal. This exquisitely produced coffee-table book, published by IndianEye and designed by Amitava Mukherjee and Himadri Dutta, is more than a photographic catalogue—it is a poetic homage to architecture, solitude, and memory.
Mitra, already acclaimed for his earlier work CALCUTTA: Stately Homes and Palaces, shifts his lens here from the aristocratic homes of native Bengali gentry to the more imposing, official residences of British imperial chiefs—mansions that once echoed with authority, diplomacy, and colonial drama. Shot predominantly between 2006 and 2015, the images capture both the majesty and melancholy of these spaces. The choice of monochrome is deliberate and masterful, stripping away distractions and illuminating the dramatic interplay of light and shadow. The resulting chiaroscuro heightens the emotional and architectural gravitas of these monumental structures.
What sets Echoes of Grandeur apart is its rare access and sensitivity. The photographs reveal both grand exteriors and intimate interiors—spaces typically veiled from public view—offering a privileged glimpse into the hidden corners of Bengal’s colonial legacy. This is a world of sweeping staircases, vaulted ceilings, solemn halls, and sunlit verandahs, all steeped in history and silence. The viewer is not just looking at buildings, but entering them—walking their corridors, pausing at their windows, sensing their stories.
Rich anecdotal text accompanies the images, weaving historical context with personal insight. The edition also features a thoughtful message from Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, and a stately foreword by The Right Honourable Timothy Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 7th Earl of Minto— whose ancestors, the 1st and 4th Earls of Minto, served as Governor General and Viceroy of India. This connection subtly reinforces the historical continuum that the book seeks to reflect.
The production quality of Echoes of Grandeur is exceptional. As a limited-edition, large-format, artisanal publication sponsored by Vikram Solar, it presents more than 75 rare and carefully curated images, often in full or double-page spreads that do justice to the scale and beauty of the architecture. It feels like holding a gallery in your hands—each page a quiet canvas, every spread a chapter in a much larger story.
Ultimately, Echoes of Grandeur is not just a book but an experience. A visual meditation on colonial legacies, architectural form, and the poetry of space, it stands as the first serious and structured photographic study of its kind. With its evocative imagery and thoughtful presentation, it reminds us that grandeur is not merely seen—it is felt.
Verdict: A timeless tribute to Bengal’s colonial architecture, Anirban Mitra’s Echoes of Grandeur is a landmark in visual history— elegant, immersive, and utterly unforgettable.
Major Credits
Photographs by Anirban Mitra
Edited by Gouri Basu
Designed and Created by Amitava Mukherjee
Published by imprint Indianeye/Himadri Dutta
Title Sponsor Vikram Solar
