HORSE-RACE
The first organised 'horse-race' in India started at Acra in the vicinity of Calcutta on 16th January, 1769. This went on till 1809. Then the 'race' was shifted to the Maidan at Calcutta.
Horse-race, in Calcutta, started in 1780. It used to take place on the South of the Fort. Spectators used to enjoy these races in the mornings sitting on hay-carpets. An advertisement of 1780, reveals that betting of upto RS. 2000 took place in those days.

In 1781, Gorgon the horse of Mr. Toosay and Em. Peter, the horse of Mr. Henkel, participated in a contest. After the race was over, the participants revelled in the resort-house of Mr. Lidias at Belvedierre Road. The horse-races in 1794, 1795, 1797 were also greeted with a wild applause. The race took place on Sundays. But Lord Wellesley prohibited horse-race and gamblings on Sundays. In 1803, horse-race got a tremendous momentum after the foundation of the Bengal Jockey Club. But Lord Minto banned the horse-race after some time. However, horse race became legalized during the reign of Lord Hastings. The first Derby competition was held in 1816.

The Calcutta race course was prepared in 1819. At that time, races were held in the matutinal hours. So, in 1820, a two-storeyed stand was erected towards the east of Maidan, where the Victoria Memorial Hall stands today. The stand was erected on the eastern flank of Maidan in order to prevent the sun’s rays from falling directly on the spectators' faces. In 1876, the horse-race was scheduled for noon hours. Accordingly, the previous stand was broken and a new one was erected on the western flank. On 20th February, 1847, the ‘Royal Calcutta Turf Club’ came into being.

HORSE RIDING SCHOOL
The first school to impart coaching on horse-riding and jockeying was opened in 1796. The school was situated in Park Street, at a place where the 'Asiatic Society' stands today. The stable was built in Dharmatolla Street. Later on, the government apportioned this place for building the 'The Asiatic Society'.

HINDI NEWSPAPER
The first Hindi weekly journal 'Udanda Martendeya' redacted by Jugalkishore Shukla, was published on 30th May,1826 in Nagri alphabets.

HOSPITAL
The first hospital in Calcutta was built inside the premises of the Old Fort at Gasstin Place. In the year 1707, the Council of Fort William constructed this hospital which measured 175 ft in length and 60 ft in width.
This hospital, initially built for the Europeans, was one storeyed. Later, in 1768, two houses were purchased in Lower Circular Road for converting them into hospitals. Located near the Presidency Jail, the hospital came to be known as Presidency Hospital. Patients started getting admitted in this hospital from 2nd April,1770. Today, this hospital is famous all over India as the S.S.K.M Hospital and is known for offering excellent medical facilities.

HOSPITAL FOR FEMALES
The first hospital exclusively for females started operating in 1841.

HOMOEOPATHIC COLLEGE
'Calcutta Homoeopathic College' the first one of its kind in India, was established by Rajendralal Dutta on 14th February, 1881.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Dr. S.K. Hahnemann, the noted German physician, started the homoeopathic mode of treatment in Calcutta in 1835.

HIGH COURT
The High Court was established in Calcutta on 1st July, 1862. The then Supreme Court, Sadar Diwan and Sadar Nizamat were amalgamated to constitute the High Court. The first High Court was built in 1780 in the place where the edifice of the Supreme Court stood. Later, that building was demolished and the new High Court building came into being in 1872. The tower of the High Court is 180 ft. in height. The first Indian judge of the High Court was Sambhunath Pandit who took over on 2nd February,1862. The first Indian Chief Justice was Phani Bhusan Chakraborty in 1952. The first Muslim to adorn the chair of the honourable judge was Sayeed Amir Ali on 2nd January,1890.