Hastings House
Now house to the Institute of Education for Women, stories from locals lead to believe that the ghost of Warren Hastings still abides. As the legend goes, during his transfer from Calcutta to England, a black bureau was misplaced that Hastings’ ghost returns to look for. This bureau not only contained valuables, but also papers that would have served to prevent Hastings’ impeachment. Footsteps going upstairs are often heard.
A few years prior, the grounds also stood witness to a freak accident wherein a young boy playing football with his friends died on spot on impact to his chest. His body was abandoned, and it has been reported that the spirit is witnessed waiting for his friends’ return.
Location: 20, B, J.C. Road, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027.
Wipro Office
This modern corporate office has been chosen as a favourite haunt by spirits of the past. The building stands on a graveyard that was once part of the Kolkata Wetlands. Young officials working the graveyard shift report apparitions on the third floor of Tower 3; and the spooky disturbances have been to such an extent that the floor is now abandoned and closed to all. Employees taking the elevator or stairs to upper floors have heard things falling off, and now refuse to venture alone. Even the usually stoic security guards are frightened by eerie noises that are heard.
Location: Plot 1,7 & 8, Block DM, Sector - V, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700091.
Royal Calcutta Turf Club
A popular tourist destination, the grounds are the haunt of race enthusiast George Williams’ white horse, Pride. Pride, who won every single race, became the reason behind Williams’ fame and riches, till the day the old horse lost a race at the Annual Calcutta Derby. Her carcass was found on the tracks the following day, riddled with bullet injuries. While RCTC officials explain the injuries as protocols followed to ensure an almost painless death of old horses, many sources have slipped out that Williams had murdered the horse. Pride is seen galloping on late Saturday and full moon nights, sometimes as an apparition and sometimes as a white fog patch, by commuters and locals who remember her as “Williams saheb ka sada ghora” (Sir Williams’ white horse).
Location: 55D, Maidan, Race Course, New Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700053.
Kolkata Dock
A main maritime navigation site of Kolkata, it is said to be haunted by the spirit of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh, whose shadows workers at the dock have reportedly witnessed. Nawab Wajid Ali has renounced his throne and kingdom on the promise of the East India Company to allow him passage to England. He built the dock waiting on the offer, and it is there that he spent his last days, betrayed and cheated by the Company. His ghost lurks arounds, waiting to extract revenge, along with the spirits of the soldier and sailors who died waiting alongside him. Workers also hear the thrums of classical music of which the Nawab was said to be very fond of.
Putul Bari
The Bengali word ‘Putul’ translating to ‘dolls’, and ‘bari’ to ‘house’, the residential bears its name from the arches that have doll figures carved into them and dolls that are assembled on stands. This house was the site for sexual assaults and murder of women abducted by the babus and zamindars (landlords) for pleasure. Sounds of anklets clinking, as well as women gossiping and laughing are heard from the upper floors, along with blood- curling, spine- chilling screams. The lower floor of the house is still inhabited but residents, as well as visitors, steadfastly avoid going upstairs. With its terrible history, Putul Bari is one of the spookiest places in the city.
Location: Putul Bari, SL Chatterjee St, NDDM Ward No - 26, Sarada Palli, Nimta, Kolkata, West Bengal 700049.
