Marquis Cornwallil (1803)
The city of Calcutta loves to get nostalgic and relishes the fond memories of those illustrious persons who once lived in this city, contributed to its all-round welfare and glorified it. The metropolis pays homage to all those great men who once dwelled here, by erecting their statues in different places.
This custom of erecting statues, preserve the fond memories of the illustrious men of the bygone days was started by the British. About two hundred years ago, during the regime of the East India Company, a British sculptor made the first statue to be erected in Calcutta. It was of Marquis Cornwallis, the Governor General. The status was erected after forty six years of the Battle of Plassey. This historical statue is still retained in Calcutta. Till 1920, this statue was kept in the Town Hall. Later it was transferred to Victoria Memorial. Since then it is ensconced in a quadrangular manner in the east of the Victoria Memorial.

Marquis Hastings (1829)
An important statue sculpted during the British regime which deserves mention is of Marquis Hastings. In the second decade of the nineteenth century, Hastings (1754 - 1826) was performing the joint owns of the Governor General and Commander-In-Chief of British India. He is also known in history as the 'Earl of Moyra.' During his stay in Calcutta as the Governor General, the proposal for erecting his statue was granted by the concerned authorities.
Once upon a time, this statue was erected at Dalhousie Square. Today, it can be seen in the Victoria Memorial Hall where it is preserved with due care. Its sculptor was John Flaxman.

Sir Edward Hyde East (1830)
Another statue of historical significance in Calcutta is that of Sir Edward Hyde East. Sir E.H. East was the chief justice of the Supreme Court in Calcutta. His statue has been preserved with great care within the promises of the High Court. The sculptor of this statue was Sir. Francis Legat Chantri.

Warren Hastings (1830)
A statue of Governor General Warren Hastings (1732 - 1818) was erected in Calcutta. The Europeans dwelling in Calcutta, built this statue to commemorate the generous Warren Hastings. At first, the statue was in the Town Hall. Since 1914, the statue has been snugly ensconced in the western flank of the Victoria Memorial. It was sculpted by Sir Richard Westmacket.

Bishop Reminald Hiber (1838)
There are several status in Calcutta which are worth giving a second look. The statue of Bishop Reminald Hiber is an ideal example of such a statue which stands out for its sculptural brilliance. It is placed inside the St. Paul's Cathedral. This statue was sculpted by Sir Francis Legat Chantri.

Lord William Bentinck (1841)
A statue of William Bentinck was also sculpted during the British regime. Initially, it also sculpted during the British regime. Initially, it was placed in the Government Place (west) but later shifted to Victoria Memorial for the sake of better preservation. Today, it stands tall in the garden on the south - west corner of the Victoria Memorial. The sculptor of this beautiful statue was Sir Richard Westmacket.

Marquis Wellesley (1843)
A large statue of Governor General Marquis Wellesley (1760 - 1842) was sculpted in Calcutta. At first, it was placed in the Raj Bhavan. Today it is snugly ensconced in the Victoria Memorial. It was sculpted by John Bacon (Jr.).

David Hare (1847)
David Hare (1775 - 1842) was a very popular character among all and sundry not only as saintly scholar but also for his simplicity, benevolence and generosity. He had made admirable contribution for the promotion of education in Bengal. He breathed his last in Calcutta at the age of sixtyseven. He was given a decent funeral in College Square. Then his friends and admirers got his statue sculpted as a token of respect to this noble man. This statue of white marble, is still preserved in the Presidency College Premises. However, the name of the sculptor of this statue could not be known.

Earl of Auckland (1849)
The statue of George Eden, the Earl of Auckland, deserves special mention among all the statues sculpted during the British regime. Auckland stayed in India as the Governor General for six years (1836 - 1842). After his retirement, he left India and went back to England. His statue was erected in the Auckland Circus Garden in the east of the Eden Gardens. The Earl was so much loved by the people of Calcutta that they collected a fund for making his statue after his departure from India. The statue was sculpted by Henri Wicks, an English sculptor. However, in 1969, this statue was removed from its original position.

Field - Marshal Lord Hardinge (1858)
Another statue with a difference was that of Governor General Count Hardinge. His effigy on horseback was ensconced in the south east corner of Raj Bhavan. It was made of bronze. Incidentally, this was the first statue on horseback in Calcutta. Its sculptor was Henry Foli.