Alipore is the headquarters of South 24 Parganas district and a neighbourhood in South Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. The area is one of the most up-market and costliest localities in Kolkata, along with the Ballygunge. It is flanked by the Tolly Nullah to the north, Bhowanipore to the east, the Diamond Harbour Road to the west and New Alipore to the south, bordered by the Budge Budg
e section of the Sealdah South section railway line. The postal code of Alipore is Kolkata 700027. One of the most historical, eventful and elite localities of the city of Kolkata, Alipore is nearly as old as the city itself. It was in the middle parts of the 18th century that the British began exploring the areas outside their settlements of Fort William and the Dalhousie Square area beyond the Race Course. The Belvedere Estate was one of the oldest establishments in Alipore. The then Governor General Warren Hastings built it for himself and it became the Governor's residence until the Government House came up later. It was about this period of time that Alipore started attracting more and more British settlers who built their huge mansions and bungalows with gardens and Alipore came to be more popular. In 1820, William Carey built the Agri Horticultural Gardens behind the Belvedere Estate and added to the charm of the locality. Also, the Alipore Zoological Gardens was thrown open to the public in 1875. The locality was also witness to the Alipore bomb case and a spectator to the freedom struggle of the Indian revolutionaries, like Aurobindo Ghosh who were imprisoned at Alipore Jail. Post independence of India, Alipore became popular among the business elite of the city and a large number of them set up home. The Pauls, the Birlas, the Goenkas, the Dalmiyas, the Jalans, the Kotharis, the Poddars - all added weight to the place. In 1952, the Imperial Library (now renamed the National Library) shifted to its present premises on Belvedere Estate. The Alipore Mint was also inaugurated the same year.
