Denmark Tavern Restaurant: A1 Valuable History Unveiled

At the end of the evening I went and stood in front of the “Denmark Tavern restaurant”. It standing majestically next to ‘NishanGaht’ (on the bank of river Hooghly). Who will say before 2015 this house was a pile of rubble! In 2010-2012, a restoration group of the ‘National Museum of Denmark’ rediscovered this historic inn in Serampore after 200years. If we look at the pages of history, we can see that Serampore was home to a rich and influential local community even before the establishment of the “Mughal Empire”. The history of this place is divided into three phases

1.Pre- Urbanization phase (before 1755 AD)

2. Urbanization Phase (1755 – 1854 AD)
3. Industrialization Phase (1854 – 1947 AD)

During 14^th – 18^th Century AD, many foreign nations established their coloniesin India for the sake of trade.

Back Ground History of Denmark Tavern

At that time Serampore became important outpost of various countries. Danish East India Co. came to India in 1620 AD. At the beginning they started trading in South India. Later around 1732 AD, the Danish emperor ChristianVI signed a MoU with the East India Co., whereby the Danish got exclusive trading rights for 40 years in certain areas of China and India. Allow me to explain the denmark tavern history. In 1786, the English innkeeper James Perr built “Denmark Tavern & hotel” at this place. This hotel became just as popular among Europeans at that time as it is now. Prior to Denmark Tavern Perr had established “London Tavern” in Kolkata.one thing is worth noting that although Serampore was a Danish colony, an Englishman came and constructed this hotel in Serampore. ‘Denmark Tavern’ was recognized as the beast Danish inn of its time. Sir William Carey mentioned about this hotel on his book “good old days of honorable John Company”(1882 AD).in 16^th March,1786, an advertisement published in “Calcutta Gazette ” for Danish Tavern offering the following services- “Gentlemen passing up and down the river may be accommodated with breakfast, dinner, supper and lodging, and may depend on the charges being very reasonable…Dinners dressed and sent out at short notice; also liquors sold by the single dozen, for ready cash. A good Billiard Table and Coffee-room with the Newspapers etc” ………after that in another advertisement published in 3^rd April ,1788,we notice that the ownership of the hotel has been transferred to “John Nichols”. After that many pages of history were lost. This important historical monument stood for many years with its dirty skeletal remains behind a pile of banyan baskets. So many people passed by everyday did not even know what a precious little bit of history is carelessly left behind the famous historical place in west Bengal.

The History Unveiled 

Simon Rasten, the historian of ‘National Museum of Denmark’ said none of the locals remember this house’s name or existence. She found various documents in the museum and from the old painting of “Danish Tavern” sketched by ‘Peter Anker’(1790AD), she was confirmed the house was that historic” hotel”.in 2015, the restoration started with a donation of 5 crore INR from an organization’Realdania’and the help of a local restoration contractor Manish Chakraborty.It was decided then that house would be opened to the public again as a hotel and currently it is managed by the West Bengal tourism Department. The hotel reopened in 2018, we also visited and had a wonderful experience. I can say history is re-enlivened. Now Denmark tavern restaurant included to the list of places visit in serampore.

You may like 

“Lakshmi Narayan Shaw & Sons”: Best Heritage Fritters Eatery In Kolkata

Conclusion 

 How much wealth in our country is wasted due to lack of consciousness about history. The tradition is the wealth of the country.’Historical Tourism’is one of the sources of income of any country. Fixing and preserving these historical places means that foreign exchange will come in very easily. Thinking of posting a suggestion to”WB tourism website”, that the guest service needs immense improvement. All in one a charming atmosphere. Thank you Srabonidi! I pray to God again and again not to lose the juice of life in a thousand temptations, just save the wonder of the eyes! I will also look for the juice of life in it…….

FAQ

Encore Audio Visual: Denmark Tavern Restaurant