 After the British started expanding their settlement outside the Fort area in the mid-18th century, the area around Chowringhee was one of the first expansions.And the same area remained their pride and commercial centre until their departure in 1947.During the early British developments around the Chowringhee area, they built huge bungalows and houses all along the eastern end of the road, thus earning Kolkata the sobriquet - 'City of Palaces'.