Since the creation of the state of Bengal, the Tollygunge Club, or "Tolly," as its members call it, has played a significant role in history. It is an emblem of Bengali history that depicts an architectural representation of what Kolkata would have felt or looked like two centuries ago. Since my family is a member, I have spent a lot of time at the club's park, restaurants, swimming pool, and library. If you are curious about this historic club, here are details we have heard and read about this upscale, old club!
Tollygunge Club: Guide To This 200 Year Old Witness Of Bengali History
What Makes It Awesome
It has a historic appeal with its expansive golf courses, grand colonial architecture, and placid ambience. According to conversations with my late grandfather’s friends on one such get-together, I got to know that Tolly club is India's sole Country Club of its kind and one of the world's top 20 clubs. Sir William Cruikshank founded the organisation in 1895 with the goal of encouraging numerous sports through equestrian activities.
The club covers 100 acres and has a clubhouse that is over 225 years old. It developed into a club that specialised on horseback riding sports. A wide variety of games are played here these days. The two most popular are golf and bridge, for which the Club has affiliations with several significant clubs in India and abroad.
History of the club
From the library of Tollygunge Club, I read the book "Calcutta 200 Years" and learnt how The Johnson family, early forerunners in India's plantation industry, first built the club's vast grounds as an indigo plantation in 1781. Later, the exiled family of Tipu Sultan, the overthrown monarch of Mysore, turned the grounds into a royal park at the center of a princely estate.
The home of the Johnson family was converted into the new Mysore Estate's garden house. The old Johnson mansion is now the clubhouse after Tollygunge Club Limited purchased the entire land from the Mysore family in 1895.
The club's Christmas party is the buzz of the town and this popular club has a long waiting list for membership. North Indian specialities may be found at The Belvedere, which also serves great continental meals. The Wills Lifestyle Lounge provides unparalleled views of Kolkata's largest 18-hole golf course. The club also has billiards and pool tables, as well as two superb bridge rooms. And don't forget to work on your squash abilities while you're here.
The Architecture
Tollygunge's verandah is coated with polished marble flooring, and wrought iron chandeliers hang above colonial-style lawn furniture. A sense of the past is evoked by the Cruickshank Bar's polished concrete countertop, parquet floors, lush emerald-hued walls and speakeasy high barstools. Belvedere, however, gives the room a vestibular shape, boujee artwork, and Victorian double-height chandeliers throughout. It is worthy of Instagram, Pinterest, mood boards, and everything related to the word "debonair."
LBB Tip
In keeping with the contemporary cultural trend, the Tollygunge Club of Kolkata now hosts monthly equestrian classes and jazz concerts.
You can reach out to them on 033 2417 6022 or checkout the Tollygunge Club official website.
Timing: 5 AM–8 PM, Tuesday–Sunday. Mondays are closed.
Membership Charges: Minimum subscription fee of INR 1,200 per month and INR 14,400 annually.
