Alipore Jail Museum
আলিপুর জেল মিউজিয়াম
Also known as Independence Museum.
The old central jail, where freedom fighters were held, turned into a museum.
About Alipore Jail Museum
Alipore Central Jail held many of the best-known prisoners of the freedom struggle, among them Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das, and revolutionaries were hanged on its gallows. After the prison was moved out of the city the state converted the compound into a museum, opened in 2022, keeping the cells, the gallows and the watchtowers and adding galleries and a light-and-sound show.
Why visit
A powerful walk through the cells of the people who are on every street name in the city.
What to see and do
- The cells of Netaji, Nehru and others
- The gallows and condemned cells
- Galleries on the revolutionary movement
Plan your visit
- Area
- Alipore, South Kolkata
- Nearest landmark
- Alipore, near the zoo
- Best time
- Afternoon or evening. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
- Time needed
- About 1½ hours
- Cost
- Usually under ₹100 a head
- Entry
- Open to the public with a ticket. A public museum. Weekly closing day, hours, ticket and show timings are not currently verified.
- Metro
- Jatin Das Park (Blue Line), then a bus or taxi
- Walking
- Some walking
- Photography
- Photography is fine with some care.
Nearby and related places
- Alipore Zoological Garden: India’s oldest formally established zoo, opened in 1875.
- National Library of India: The country’s largest library, in the grounds of Belvedere House.
- Agri-Horticultural Society Gardens: A walled garden founded by William Carey’s society, known for winter flower shows.
- Kalighat Patuapara: The south’s own idol-makers’ lane, near the temple.
- Bhukailash Temples: Twin Shiva temples of 1781 beside a tank, hidden in Kidderpore.
- Kalighat Kali Temple: One of the 51 Shakti Peeths, and the shrine the city is said to be named after.
More guides
- Places in Alipore
- Heritage places in Kolkata
- Museums and galleries in Kolkata
- Family-friendly places
- Places near a metro station
- All places to visit in Kolkata
Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.