THE AGRI HORTICULTURE SOCIETY OF INDIA' — Attraction in Kolkata

Founded in 1820 by Rev William Carey, an English Baptist Missionary, the Agri Horticultural Society of India serves as a heaven for horticulture enthusiasts. The Society was founded with the set- out objectives of development and promotion of agriculture and horticulture in India. William Carey was encouraged and supported by the Governor-General of India, The Marquis of Hastings, who also became the first patron of the Society. Dr. Carey was a distinguished orientalist, a very distinguished botanist, but most distinguished as the founder of this Agricultural Society. William Carey’s mammoth contribution in improvement of Indian agriculture and horticulture is widely eminent. Carey holds the position of having been the founder of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India in 1820 and the position of president, 1824-1826. The Society continues to give prominence to Carey, “The Father of Modern Bengal” as called by Rabindranath Tagore, in its ongoing development, history and heritage. In its initial days the Society was known as the Agricultural Society of Calcutta. After 1824, the word “Horticultural” was included and the society was rechristened as Agricultural & Horticultural Society, presently known as The Agri Horticultural Society of India and served as the de facto ministry of agriculture up to 1900. India owes a great deal to Carey as he pioneered the import of winter vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, tomato and beet that were otherwise impossible to grow in Indian climate. From acclimatizing these crops to modernizing the cultivation techniques, Carey's contribution in the current progress of Indian agriculture is remarkable. The best place in Alipore area for morning and evening walkers. A beautiful well maintained garden. To enter the place one must be a member of the society as everyone is not allowed to enter. There are regular annual and winter flower shows. They also sell potted plants and gardening equipments during the flower show. Public transport from here is a bit of bother. And for app based taxis the drivers are often not conversant with the area so one has to spend quite a bit of time to...

It is one of the oxygen supplier unit in Kolkata. It was established in 1820 by William Carey. There are flower gardens, green houses, a research laboratory, a library etc. Many people use it as a walking place. There's a huge collection of plants and flowers. William Carey played a key role in introduction of tea bushes to Assam and a variety of vegetables and fruits in pre-independence India, like cauliflower, cabbage, tomato and beet. In the run up to the bicentenary year 2020, the AHSI garden has been revamped and nearly 50,000 plants have been added in last seven months. They organize flower show every year. Varieties of plants, seeds, gardening tools etc are sold here. Orchid, cactus, ferns and medicinal plants gardens are well maintained. It is a calm and quiet place. It imparts training in horticulture. It is a beautiful environment. People are nice. This year, World Regional Rose Convention, Bengal Rose Society are participating in the flower show 2020 owing to the bicentenary celebration. Sixty odd varieties of rose are being showcased at the show. The AHSI is also hosting the World Regional Rose Convention, a prestigious event that celebrates the flower found University that symbolizes love, passion, joy, humility, appreciation, admiration and enchantment. Rose is the only flower that connects the entire world. When someone gives a rose anywhere in the world, it symbolizes friendship and love. There's no other flower that connects the world the way the rose does. They're 40,000 rose varieties across the globe, of which around 3000 are found in India. AHSI has 75 varieties. Few names of roses are Monica Bellucci, Meiland Richardier, Joy of life etc. The Bengal rose, blood red in colour is distinct from other Indian varieties. The delegates from the World Rose Society, headquartered in Brussels, have attended in the show 2020. The show is also presenting perennial flowers, medicinal plants, a wide range of foliage plants, cacti, succulents and bonsai grown in pets. All information source is the Times of India, Kolkata. In short, it's a wonderful excellent experience in flower show 2020. We visit...

Step aside, modern botanical gardens with your neatly labelled pots — The Agri Horticultural Society of India (AHSI) is not just a garden, it’s a floral heritage site with 19th-century roots and enough green drama to give Kew Gardens a complex!

Tucked away on Alipore Road, this 21-acre oasis is the place where nature dons a monocle, adjusts its cravat, and invites you to “take a stroll, dear chap.”

From British Bloom to Desi Glory Founded in 1820 by the legendary botanist and horticulturist Rev. Dr. William Carey (yes, "that" William Carey — Bible translator, social reformer, and full-time flora fanatic), the AHSI is one of Asia’s oldest horticultural institutions. It was originally set up to promote scientific agriculture and horticulture — basically to make your marigold jealous of your mango tree.

What’s in Bloom? You’ll find everything from rare orchids, exotic succulents, bonsai beauties, medicinal herbs to hybrid vegetables that look like they moonlight as sci-fi characters. And the annual Flower Show? Oh darling, it’s literally the "Met Gala" for plants. Think dahlias on display, gladioli striking poses, and roses in fierce competition for the crown.

Hidden Highlights & Fun Foliage Facts: The AHSI also has a horticultural training institute, so if you're tired of Excel sheets and want to master the art of grafting roses, here's your Hogwarts. They run an on-site nursery with plants for sale — perfect if you want to take home a piece of this floral fairytale. The society has played a key role in promoting urban gardening in Kolkata, especially during the post-independence Green Revolution.

The Vibe? A walk through this green paradise feels like time-travelling into a genteel colonial picnic where the only power struggle is between bougainvillea and hibiscus. It’s serene, it’s leafy, and it’s strangely motivational — plants that thrive quietly in Kolkata’s chaos? Talk about #LifeGoals.

Final Blooming Thought? If Eden Gardens is for cricket lovers, AHSI is for the soul gardeners — those who find peace in petals, joy in jasmine, and thrill in thorns. Just don’t forget your camera. Or...