About

Serampore is located about 20 km north of Kolkata and like Bandel, Chinsurah and Chandannagar, is located on the right bank of the Hooghly River. Serampore was a Danish colony from 1752 to 1845, and was known as Fredrick Nagar after the Danish King Frederick VI. In 1845, the Danish authorities sold Serampore to the British East India Company.

History

Serampore is situated in West Bengal by the Hooghly River, which is a branch of India’s holy river Ganges. During the 14th and 15th century, the area was a centre of global trade. Indian cotton, oils, sugar, and spices were sold from the port town of Saptagram to Burma, Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, China, Persia, and the Arab world. The foreign merchants paid in silver, gold, pearls, porcelain, camphor, wood, and tropical spices.

Famous Places

Did you know that a college set up in suburban Bengal by English Baptist Missionaries enjoyed the same rights as the Danish universities in Copenhagen and Kiel? What sounds like a riddle today is actually a key chapter in the history of Serampore (Srirampur in Bengali), a town about 30km north of Kolkata and across the Hooghly River.

Restaurants

Serampore is one of the most developed towns in Hooghly. For the last ten years, this place has shown immense development, especially in the food industry. Many popular food brands are now willing to open their branches in Serampore. This place is also easily accessible because it is well connected by roads, water transport, and trains. They have some authentic as well as some foreign brands, which makes it an exciting place. It has many famous food brands like Wow Momo, Bancharam, Chowman, Dominos, and Pizza Hut.

The Danish Settlement

The Danish East India Company was founded by King Christian IV of Denmark in 1612 chiefly on hopes that had been aroused by the enormous revenues produced by the initial ventures of the British and Dutch companies. The Danes first settled on the banks of the Hooghly at the same time as the French in about 1676. The Danes first settled near Hooghly in 1698. Their first settlement was at Gondalpara, the south east corner of the French territory of Chandernagor, the spot to this day known as Danemardanga.

Danish Delight

Serampore remained under the Danish rule till 1845, after which the Danish Governor decided to sell it to the British East India Company. Built in 1818, the Serampore College, with its grand facede, reminds one of the glorious days of Danish Serampore. Danish missionary Carey, along with Ward and Marshman, started the Serampore Mission Press and published the first Bengali translation of the Bible. Serampore also houses two Cemeteries dating back to the Danish days. The Baptist Mission Cemetery in Serampore contains the family graves of Carey, Ward and Marshman, while the Danish Cemetery houses several other Danish graves.

Goswami Mansion

The Goswami family of Serampore made a fortune by trading with the Danes and the British. Several Goswami mansions are mute witnesses to the glorious days of European trades in Bengal. In order to generate revenue they are being let out for film shootings and marriage ceremony halls. Despite all odds, the crumbling mansions of Serampore remind one of the once flourishing European trade in Bengal. Presently, the West Bengal Tourism is working on proposals to develop tourism circuits covering the four colonial settlements of West Bengal.

Olaves Church

The Baptist Mission Church once served as the residence of the three missionaries Carrey, Marshman and Ward. The church is still active but has largely been modified into a modern structure. The centre of attraction in Serampore is Olaves Church.

Special Restaurants

Serampore is one of the most developed towns in Hooghly. For the last ten years, this place has shown immense development, especially in the food industry. Many popular food brands are now willing to open their branches in Serampore. This place is also easily accessible because it is well connected by roads, water transport, and trains. They have some authentic as well as some foreign brands, which makes it an exciting place.

The Denmark Tavern | Serampore | Hooghly

The 232 year old two-storied structure by the banks of Hooghly was restored as a Cafe and Hotel, where the Danes had kept their flagstaff and cannons.

  • thedenmarktavern@theparkhotels.com
  • 033 2652 4736

Chowman | Serampore | Hooghly

It is one of the most well-known Chinese restaurants in Kolkata. I won’t say they serve authentic Chinese dish, but they indeed serve authentic Indo-Chinese dishes. They have their versions of everything. Their dumplings and noodles are delicious. Their chicken Manchurian and garlic chicken is also trendy.

  • chowman.net
  • 093300 25667

Samrat Hotel | Serampore | Hooghly

It is not one of those shops which sell premium biryanis but one of the best when it comes to mid-range biryanis. The best part about the biryani is the succulent mutton pieces. The flavor, and aroma is exquisite and is a must-try dish.

  • 175, N.S.Avenue, Serampore, West Bengal 712201
  • 033 2662 0896

Vheto

It is one of the liveliest cafes in the town. The drums of heaven and pizza are the most recommended ones. The ambiance is pretty relaxed and very popular among the students.

  • Serampore court compound,Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal 712201
  • 062909 95464