Writers Building

Writers' Building, also known as Mahakaran, is the official secretariat building of the state government of West Bengal, located in Kolkata. The building was designed by Thomas Lyon in 1777 and was completed in 1780.

It is situated on the northern stretch of the Lal Dighi (Red Lake) in the historic B.B.D. Bagh area, which was formerly known as Dalhousie Square. The building is notable for its neo-classical architecture with magnificent Corinthian columns and a prominent red brick facade.

Originally, Writers' Building served as the principal administrative office for the junior clerks (writers) of the British East India Company. Over the years, it has undergone several extensions and renovations.

After India's independence in 1947, it became the seat of the state government, housing the offices of the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, and other senior officials until 2013, when a major restoration project was announced. The building is a significant historical and architectural landmark in Kolkata, reflecting the city's colonial past and its evolution as the administrative hub of West Bengal.

The renovation work continues, and the building remains an important symbol of governance and heritage in the region.