Guided Tour No.2:  Chowringhee Road to Ballygunge Railway Station

 

 

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Introduction

 

This route will take us through the older southern suburbs, the bastions of the well educated professional middle classes of their day.

 

 

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Park Street

 

 

 

          _____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

 

 

 

 

 

          _____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

 

 

Park Street

Park Street, which branches off No. 30 Chowringhee Road, is the widest and busiest street in central Calcutta and presents a very animated appearance. Fashionable in itself, Park Street gives access to many fashionable thoroughfares. It dates from 1767 and derives its name from the Park which once surrounded Sir Elijah Impey's residence, on which site now stands Loreto House.

The traffic at the junction of Park Street and Chowringhee Road, is regulated by the coloured-light signal-system. It is interesting to watch the red turbaned "Parawallah" (Traffic Police Constable) standing calm and collected before the switch-board in the control-cabin, on the west side of the road, manipulating the signals which control the heavy traffic passing this point from all directions.

Park Street boasts of many stately buildings, elaborate motor-car showrooms, alluring hair-dressing and beauty-saloons, important business houses and attractive residential quarters.

Entering Park Street from Chowringhee, we note odd numbers on the left, even numbers on the right. At No. 1 is the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, founded in 1784; at No. 17 is the Oxford Book and Stationery Co. and their Lending Library; at No. 19 are housed the District Grand Lodge of Bengal, the Bengal Freemasons' Trust Association, the Bengal Masonic Association and the Scottish Masonic Committee for Bengal; at No. 21, is the Olympia Cafe, Restaurant and Bar (Grecian Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers), alongside is Park Row giving access to Karnani Mansion, which has a large frontage to, and an entrance from, Free School Street.

On the right of the entrance to Park Street is Hall & Andersen's Departmental Store, curving round into Russell Street, which leads to Middleton Street.

[…]

At the corner of Park Street and Russell Street stands that imposing building, Galstaun Mansion, having the distinction of being the largest mansion in Calcutta.

[…]

Adjoining Galstaun Mansion is Stephen Court, another stately building, curving round into Middleton Row which leads to Camac Street.

[…]

Directly opposite Middleton Row is Free School Street, at the corner of which stands Park Mansions, built in 1910 on the site of the erstwhile Doveton College for Boys. Next is the Park Street Post and Telegraph Office and a little higher up Walford Transport Limited's elaborate Motor Showrooms, the home of the best English and American made cars.  Facing right are the Light Horse Club and Alien Berry & Co.'s Motor Showrooms extending into Camac Street, […]

Returning to Park Street and resuming our way, we pass Alien Gardens on the right and reach Wood Street, […]

Pursuing our way along the main thoroughfare, we have on the left the town residence of the Nawab of Murshidabad; next, at No. 87 A, are the offices of Sir Henry Qidney and the Anglo-Indian and Domiciled European Association for All-India and Burma. On the right we have St. Xavier's College, built on the site of the Sans Souci Theatre. It was in this theatre that Mrs. Esther Leach, the famous actress, was severely burnt on the 2nd November 1843, due to her dress catching fire while waiting for her cue: she died after a fortnight.

Adjoining the College at No. 32 is the Roman Catholic Archbishop's House, and a little lower down the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Mission School, by the side of which runs Loudon Street leading across Short Street, Theatre Road and Moira Street to Lower Circular Road; next comes Rawdon Street running parallel to Loudon Street. On the left are Park Lane, the Tiretta Cemetery and McLeod Street which leads to Elliott Road. Mission Cemetery and North Park Street Cemetery on the left, and South Park Street Cemetery on the right, bring us to the crossing of Lower Circular Road, from where we enter Park Street (New).

Proceeding we have on the left Park Show Cinema, and on the right Karaya Road winding into Syed Amir Ali Avenue. […]

Returning to Park Street (New) and pursuing our way, we have on the left North Range. At No. 11/6 North Range is an Armenian Cemetery and a Chapel built in 1906 and dedicated to St. Gregory The Illuminator; services are held here every Sunday evening, also in the mornings and evenings on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent; opposite North Range is the Park Circus Post and Telegraph Office.

Crossing Mrigendra Lal Mitter Road, we have on the right Jhawtollah Road leading to Syed Amir Ali Avenue, and on the left ]annagore Road, leading to the junction of Beniapuker Road and Linton Street. A few yards higher up we come to the point where Theatre Road (New) joins Park Street (New), with Siddiq Mansions on the right and Marina Garden Court on the left.

Passing on the left Suhrawardy Avenue extending to Darga Road, the extensive Eastern Park and Orient Row, and on the right Circus Avenue, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, the Park Circus Tram Depot, Kimber Street and Congress Exhibition Road, we reach Bright Street leading past Mayfair Road to Syed Amir Ali Avenue, and immediately after, arrive at the foot of the Eastern Bengal Railway Bridge, No. 4, which marks the end of Park Street (New).

From this point Dilkusha Street branches to the right, while Darga Road on the left leads to Chittaranjan Hospital, in front of the main gate of which diverge three roads, viz. Gorachand Road running southwards to Jannagore Road, Tiljala Road leading under No. 4 Bridge to Rifle Road, and Dehi Serampore Road leading to the junction of Hati Bagan Road and South Road Entally.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 87-91 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL

"In 1936 His Majesty King Edward VIII graciously permitted the Society the privilege of using the title "ROYAL," in recognition of its great services to India and to Eastern Literary Research".

The Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, at No. 1 Park Street, Calcutta, the oldest literary and scientific Society in the East, was founded in 1784 by Sir William Jones, a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Calcutta and master of several oriental languages, who became its first President, with Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal, as its Patron. Its scope was defined in the President's first address in words which were paraphrased in the first number of its Journal as : "The bounds of its investigations will be the geographical limits of Asia and within these limits its enquiries will be extended to whatever is performed by man or produced by nature." ,

In its early years the Society held its meetings in the Grand Jury's room in the Supreme Court.  In 1805, however, Government sanctioned a free grant of the present site at the corner of Park Street and Chowringhee Road, and a building, designed by Captain Lock of the Bengal Engineers, was completed in 1808, the cost being defrayed by the Society's members. Extensive additions and alterations have since been made, but the main structure remains essentially the same as in 1808.

One of the first activities of the Society was the publication of the "Asiatick Researches". Twenty volumes of this serial were published between 1788 and 1836 when, due to financial difficulties, it ceased to appear. That there was a distinct demand for the work produced, however, is borne out by the fact that more than one "pirated" edition was printed.

The proceedings of the Society's monthly meetings for some time appeared in a private journal called "Gleanings in Science"; later another private journal was started under the name of "The Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal". In 1905 the two were amalgamated as the "Journal and Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, New Series". At the same time, yet another serial, entitled the "Memoirs of the Asiatic Society of Bengal", was started for the publication of larger articles or those requiring more elaborate illustrations.

One of the most important of the Society's activities is the publication of the "Bibliotheca Indica", a series of texts in Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic and other languages. Extensive works like the Persian Akbar Nama, the A' in-i-Akbari and the Sanskrit Sahitya-Darpana, have been edited and translated for this series. A particular domain in which these publications have been eminently useful is Buddhist Sanskrit literature.

The Society has published, from time to time, miscellaneous works such as catalogues and dictionaries: one of the most important is Kemp's Catalogue of Scientific Serial Publications in the Principal Libraries of Calcutta.

The Society has succeeded in building up a large library of valuable Mss. Its Persian, Arabic, Turkish and other collections, containing about 5,000 volumes, the largest and most important in the world, were started by donations and legacies, and later enriched by the transfer in 1835 of a part of the library of the College of Fort William : further acquisitions were secured through the financial assistance of Government, obtained by the enthusiastic activity of Sir E. Denison Ross.

The Sanskrit collection contains over 16,000 volumes, among which are beautiful Buddhist pictures of the seventh and tenth centuries. This collection also owed many of its early acquisitions to the library of the College of Fort William, and later additions have been mainly due to the enlightened policy of the Government of India and Bengal. There is a small but picturesque collection of Burmese manuscripts, and a collection of Tibetan xylographs.

The Library of printed books is particularly rich in scientific and philological serial publications, including many valuable early sets. Among the important manuscript drawings is the famous collection of zoological drawings by Buchanan Hamilton.

It is not generally known that the Indian Museum owes its existence to the Asiatic Society. In 1814 the Society started its own Museum, which grew to such dimensions that the Society's resources were considerably strained by its upkeep. With praiseworthy persistence it memorialised Gvernment on the necessity for a subsidized National Museum, until it gained its point in 1862. The Indian Museum Act was passed in 1866 and the Archaeological and Zoological collections were transferred to the new Board of Trustees, in consideration of which the Society received Rs. 1,50,000.

Though theMedicaland Physical Society was founded by John Adam and James Hare as early as 1823, the Medical Section was not started till 1906, with F. P. Maynard as its first Secretary. On the formation of the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, however, the Society, realising that its extensive collection of Medical periodicals would be more valuable for research purposes in that Institution, generously consented to its transfer.

The Society fostered the formation of the Indian Science Congress in 1914. This is a peripatetic institution, meeting annually in different centres of scentific activity in India. The Asiatic Society is responsible both for the management of the work of the Congress, when not in session, and for the publication of its "Proceedings".

The Society's rooms are adorned by many works of art. In the centre of the meeting room is a marble bust by H. Weekes of the founder, Sir William Jones, and a portrait of him as a boy by Sir Joshua Reynolds. This and many other paintings form part of the Home bequest, presented by Brigadier and Colonel Home in memory of their father, Robert Home, portrait painter to the King of Oudh, and from 1802 to 1804 Secretary of the Society. Among these are : "The Death of Cleopatra", by Guido, "The Farmer's Household", by G. S. Morland, "A Cupid", by Sir Joshua Reynolds, a full-length portrait of Warren Hastings by Tilly Kettle, "Antwerp Cathedral", by Steinwich the elder, and "The Two Daniells" and "James Hare", both by Robert Home himself. A portrait of John Adam by C. Beechy hangs on the staircase. The marble busts include two beautiful ones by Sir Francis Chantrey—of W.H. Mill, the author of that remarkable Sanskrit work, "Christa-Sangita", and of H. H. Wilson, for many years Secretary of the Society and afterwards first Boden Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford. Other marble busts in the meeting room are of H.T. Colebrooke, (by H. Weekes), for ten years President of the Society and afterwards the founder of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland; of B. H. Hodgson (by Thornycroft), a prolific contributor to the Society's publications and Mss. collections; of T. Oldham (by Geflowiski), the first Superintendent of the Geological Survey of India and three times President of the Society;

of F. Stoliczka (by Geflowiski), palaeontologist of the Geological Survey and the Society's Natural History Secretary; and of H. Blochmann (by E. R. Mullins), the translator of the A'in-I-Akbari and for ten years Philological Secretary.

At the top of the staircase there is a beautiful bronze bust of Czoma de Koros, the pioneer of Tibetan scholarship, and one of Sir Ashutosh Mukerjee (by H. I. Youngman), who guided the Society's destinies for many years. On the landing is the famous edict of Asoka ( about 250 B. C. ), the Pali characters of which were deciphered by James Prinsep, whose marble bust by H. Weekes is very appropriately placed here.   Another exhibit of great interest on the landing is the cabinet of the Society's copper plates, the inscriptions of which have been so valuable in the study of early Indian history.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 100-105 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY

THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY : The oldest literary and scientific society in the East, housed at No.1 Park Street, was founded in 1781 by Sir William Jones, the great Orientalist. A "discussion meeting" is frequently held in the Society's hall, when popular lectures on different aspects of Indian life and culture are delivered by competent speakers. Members of the Allied Armed Forces are specially welcome.

(source: “A Guide Book to Calcutta, Agra, Delhi, Karachi and Bombay” The American Red Cross and the China-Burma-India-Command. [1943]:  at: http://cbi-theater-2.home.comcast.net/redcross/red-cross-india.html#INDIA)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

 

ST. XAVIER'S COLLEGE

Centrally situated at No. 30 Park Street, in one of Calcutta's most important thoroughfares, this well-known Catholic educational institution has traditions and great achievements stretching back well over a century. The aim of this Institution, under the able direction of the Society of Jesus, is to give a liberal education to the youth of the country, irrespective of religion. Special attention is paid to the moulding of character and the inculcation of a civic sense, in order to prepare them for their various duties in life.

The earlier St. Xavier's College was founded on June 1st 1835, in Portuguese Church Street, by the English Jesuits, the number of pupils oscillating between 80 and 100. Three years later the College was removed to a rented house at No. 3 Park Street and in January 1841 to No. 22 Chowringhee Road, the roll then being 153. By 1843 this number had risen to over 300, necessitating the erection of additional school-rooms, which were opened on the 22nd January 1844.

In 1843, at the insistence of Babu Motilal Seal, a wealthy Indian merchant, the Jesuit Fathers took over the management of the Seal College, then at 60 Colootolah Street. This, however, proved disastrous and led to their leaving India in 1846.

After the departure of the Jesuits, St. John's College at Entally, which was founded by Archbishop Carew in 1844, became the centre of Catholic education, and in about 1849, this College was removed to No. 10 Park Street, the erstwhile premises of the Sans Souci Theatre, purchased for the purpose. The College, however, was not a success and, on the death of Archbishop Carew, closed its doors in 1855. Archbishop Olliffe, the successor of Archbishop Carew, anxious to save Catholic education from an untimely death, tried his utmost to persuade the English Jesuits to return to India. Proving unsuccessful, he appealed to the Belgian Jesuits, who responded nobly to the call, landed in India on the 28th November 1859 and opened the doors of the present St. Xavier's College on the 16th January 1860.

In 1862 the College was affiliated to the Calcutta University and in 1867 the B. A. Course commenced: later the B. Sc., ( Pass and Honours ) and the B. A. (Honours) Courses were introduced, and recently B. T. Classes have been added.

In February 1868, No. 11 Park Street, with the adjoining grounds, was acquired, and by 1869 the College roll had risen to over 500. In 1875 an Observatory was erected at a cost of Rs. 28,000. 1887 saw the start of the College Library : 1880, the construction of a gymnasium:1886, the inauguration of the Entrance Literary Society: and 1906, the erection of new science halls at a cost of Rs. 48,000.

The Crohan building, to house the school classes, was completed in 1915 at a cost of Rs. 1,06,000 and the Hindu Hostel at 219/1 Lower Circular Road was opened in 1919.  Until quite recently the College boasted of a magnificent old facade; this was demolished in 1931 and in its place now stands a modern four-storeyed structure containing large lecture halls, well-equipped laboratories and an up-to-date theatre for dramatic performances and synchronised film productions.

The College maintains a platoon of cadets attached to the Calcutta University Training Corps.

Several scholarships are awarded, the chief among them being the Power, Lafont and O'Neill Scholarships and the Gold and Silver medals for Physical Science, English Essay and Religious Knowledge.

The very capable staff of the College, comprised mostly of Jesuit Fathers, are responsible for the high percentage of successes in the University Examinations, while in games, aquatic and athletic pursuits the Institution has an enviable reputation.

The ever-increasing popularity of the College is evidenced by the fact that, from a mere 83 pupils in 1860, the roll has now risen to well over 2,000.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 95-97 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Russell Street

In Russell Street, on the right, is the rear entrance of the Bengal Club; lower down at No. 5, are the General Offices of the National Council and Publishing House of the Y. M. C. A. of India, Burma and Ceylon, and the meeting-rooms of the Christian Fellowship Centre. This building was the Anglican Episcopal Palace from 1826 to 1846, and during this period was occupied successively by Bishops Heber, James, Turner and Wilson. On the left of the thoroughfare are the offices of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, The Refrigerators (India) Ltd., Sutton & Sons Ltd., and Staynor & Co.'s Branch Auctioneering Rooms.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 87 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Galstaun Mansion

At the corner of Park Street and Russell Street stands that imposing building, Galstaun Mansion, having the distinction of being the largest mansion in Calcutta. It was built for Mr. J. C. Galstaun, landholder, merchant and well-known sportsman. Designed by Martin & Co. the foundation stone was laid in 1920 and the structure, of modern architecture, completed in 1923 at a cost of Rs. 65 lakhs.  The upper floors are let as residential flats, while the ground floor is occupied by business houses, including the Imperial Bank of India (Park Street Branch). It has a large frontage on both Park and Russell Streets, and from its roof splendid views of Calcutta and the river beyond can be obtained.

The southern wing of this mansion covers the site of the house built by Chief Justice Sir Henry Russell in about 1798; it was in this house that the beautiful Rose Alymer died on the 2nd March 1800, at the tender age of twenty. She was buried in the South Park Street Cemetery, and is immortalised in the following verses by that strange genius, Walter Savage Landor :

"Ah, what avails the sceptred race?

Ah, what the form divine?

What every virtue, every grace?

Rose Alymer, all were thine.

Rose Alymer, whom these wakeful eyes

May weep, but never see,

A night of memories and sighs

I consecrate to thee."

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 87 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

THE ARMENIAN COLLEGE

This Institution was founded in 1821, under the name of the Armenian Philanthropic Academy, by Messrs Astwasatoor Mooradkhan and Manatsakan Varden, who are appropriately commemorated by marble tablets in the College portico. 

In 1825, the Aratoon Koloos School, which was established in 1798 was incorporated with the College and in 1871 the College was affliated to the Calcutta University for the Entrance Examination, and recently to the Cambridge University for the Senior Cambridge Examination. In 1883 the College was removed from Old China

Bazar Street to No. 56 Free School Street, and in 1889, in order to meet the educational requirements of the period College Classes were started for preparing boys for this First Arts and the higher Examinations of the Calcutta University. It was then that the Institution came to be known as the Armenian College: these Classes were however, discontinued in 1891.

The College boys participate in all athletic game and pursuits, including boxing, and have earned a good reputation for themselves in the field of sport.

A marble tablet at the College main gate in 56 Free School Street, records that the famous novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray, was born in this building on the 18th July 1811.

At the south-east corner of the compound stands the College swimming bath. A marble tablet inside bear the inscription :—

"Erected and Presented to his Alma Mater by P. H. Crete, esq. For the use of the students of the Armenian College, 1930.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source page 133 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Middleton Row

At No. 1 Middleton Row is Gallway House (Y. W. C. A. Hostel), the foundation stone of which was laid in 1925 by the Countess of Lytton. No. 4, is the Birkmyre Hostel and Club, No. 7, Loreto House and St. Thomas' Roman Catholic Church. This Church is one of the most popular in Calcutta, and its services, especially on Sundays, are invariably well attended.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 88 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

LORETO HOUSE

( AT NO. 7 MIDDLETON ROW )

This is another Catholic educational Institution. It was founded in 1842 under the direction of the Loreto Sisters, with the primary object of imparting to Catholic girls a religious and moral training, in addition to all branches of secular knowledge. (Children of other denominations are also admitted.)

The building, a commodious three-storeyed structure, set in spacious grounds, is erected on the site of the Garden House of Henry Vansittart, Governor of Bengal, 1760-1764, which house was occupied by Sir Elijah Impey, the first Chief Justice of Calcutta, 1774-1782.

There are four departments in the Institution, namely, a College Department, a Teachers' Training Department, a School Department and a Kindergarten Department, which is conducted along the lines of the National Froebel Union for Kindergarten teachers.

The College Department has been associated with the Calcutta University since 1889. In 1913 it was affiliated to the I. A. and L. T., in 1921 to the B. A., in 1925 to English Honours and in 1938 to the B. T. classes.

The Institution has a well-stocked Library, social and sports clubs, tennis courts, and basketball grounds.

The College is staffed with religious and secular professors, holding British and Indian degrees, and the examination results are very satisfactory.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source page 98 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Camac Street

Camac Street which runs southwards and joins Lower Circular Road in front of Galstaun Park. Down Camac Street, on the right, is Middleton Row and a few steps farther on, at No. 2, the offices of the Consul General for Italy. Lower down is Middleton Street, leading to Chowringhee Road, and nearly opposite, Short Street leading across Wood Street and Loudon Street to Rawdon Street. At the corner of Camac Street and Short Street is the Society for the Protection of Children in India: (Hours for interviews from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, and by appointment); farther on (right) is Harrington Street leading to Chowringhee Road.

We have now reached the point where Camac Street and Theatre Road bisect each other. Proceeding along Camac Street, we note on the left Albert Road leading past Victoria Square to Hungerford Street. Pretoria Street, leading from Theatre Road to Lower Circular Road on the right and Victoria Terrace, leading to Hungerford Street on the left, mark the end of this thoroughfare.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 89 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Wood Street

Returning to Park Street and resuming our way, we pass Alien Gardens on the right and reach Wood Street, tenanted mostly by members of the medical profession. At No. 1, are the offices of the European and Anglo-Indian Family Benefit Fund; at No. 7, the Saturday Club, […]; at Nos. 13, 14 and 15 are the offices of the Survey-General of India; facing Wood Street is Wellesley Street.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 89-90 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Saturday Club

at No. 7 [Wood Street], the Saturday Club, founded in 1875 : it now has about 1,500 members. The Club is in the nature of a social one, with amenities for swimming, dancing, tennis, squash-rackets, etc.; at Nos. 13, 14 and 15 are the offices of the Survey-General of India; facing Wood Street is Wellesley Street.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 89-90 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

PARK STREET CEMETERIES

At the southern end of Park Street, at its junction with Lower Circular Road, are the old Calcutta Park Street Cemeteries where, under massive brick and plaster memorials, lie the remains of many great personages associated with the early history of Calcutta. Names famous in verse and legend adorn the crumbling graves and vividly resuscitate for us the glories of Old Calcutta, of Warren Hastings, of French Privateers and of gay mid-Victorian Cavaliers. These cemeteries are four in number :

Tiretta or French Cemetery—Opened in 1786 for the reburial of the young wife of Edward Tiretta, an Italian who rose to the position of Superintendent of Streets and Buildings. In this cemetery are also buried Mark Mutty, the Venetian, the renowned Vicomtesse Adeline de Facieu and Roman Catholics of those early days.

Mission Cemetery—Opened in 1773. Among those buried here are Richard Burney, and the Rev. J. Z. Kiernander, the first Protestant Missionary to Bengal, who built in 1770, at his own expense, the Beth Tophilla (House of Prayer), now the Old Mission Church.

North Park Street Cemetery—Opened in 1791. Here lie the remains of Thomas Henry Graham, killed in action in an affray between the East India Company's ship "Kent" and a French privateer in 1800 ; Richard Thackeray, the novelist's father; and William Jones, founder of Bishop's College, now Sibpur Engineering College.

South Park Street Cemetery—Opened in 1767. Here a mammoth obelisk marks the grave of Sir William Jones, founder and first President of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. A fluted column, inset with a black marble slab, marks the last resting place of Rose Aylmer, immortalised in verse by that strange genius, Walter Savage Landor (P. 88). Here are also buried Captain Mackay, whose narrative of shipwreck inspired that of Byron's in "Don Juan"; General Clavering; Major-General Stuart; Colonel and Lady Monson; Colonel Kyd, founder and first President of the Botanical Gardens; Sir Elijah Impey; Henry Vansittart, Governor of Bengal, 1760-64; Edward Wheler, and Captain Edward Cook, son of the famous navigator. As Commandant of H.M.Ship "La Sybille", Captain Cook engaged the heavily armed French frigate "La Porte", and captured it on the 1st March 1799; he was wounded in action and died on the 23rd May 1799, at the age of 26: a memorial tablet in Westminster Abbey records his great services to the Empire.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 98-99 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

 

 

          _____Memories of 1940s Calcutta_______________________

 

No photos of Park Street. Why?

You said, "There are no photos of Park Street. Why? Probably for two reasons. First, I just wasn't aware of it. It was more distant from the Esplanade where the tram from Kidderpore let us off. That meant it was a further walk and I really wasn't aware of what it had to offer. I rarely got down that end of the Maidan, for my primary interest was in the river area. It, too, may have been in the "off-limits" to American personnel in Calcutta. It could have been, too, that they didn't want any rowdy American troops disrupting the peace of Park Street. I just don't know.

Glenn Hensley, Photography Technician with US Army Airforce, Summer 1944

(source: a series of E-Mail interviews with Glenn Hensley between 12th June 2001 and 28th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley)

 

Park Street

"My favourite shop was Mrs E. Wood, which then stretched from Peter Cat to Flury's. It was a young girl's dream shop - lovely dolls, clothes ... and even a doll's hospital where we took all our dolls for treatment.

I also remember Mr Flury and Mr Trinca, the two Swiss gentlemen who owned a tearoom called Flury's & Trinca's, located where Flury's stands today. As children we were told that Mr Flury ran away with Mrs Trinca - or was it the other way around - and the partnership split. Mr Trinca moved his confectionery to where Ming Room now stands.

Then there was an Englishman, Mr Murray, who was one of the finest milliners in the world. His hats were sold at Sybil, a shop located bang opposite Sky Room.

I will never forget how we used to hire bicycles for an-anna-an-hour from Royd Street and cycle up and down Park Street, finally treating ourselves to the best ice cream in town from Magnolia's. Though Park Street has changed so much, it will always be my favourite street since it is Calcutta's heartbeat!"

Nilima Dutta, Calcutta. 1930-40s

(source: Barry O'Brien: Nostalgic - Park Street by email from "Roger Storey" <yerots@sbcglobal.net Mon, 23 Jun 2003 17:12:02)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Barry O'Brien)

 

 

 

 

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Park Circus

 

 

 

 

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Karaya Road

Proceeding we have on the left Park Show Cinema, and on the right Karaya Road winding into Syed Amir Ali Avenue. In Karaya Road, on the right, is Acre Road and directly opposite it, the Scottish Cemetery. Crossing Theatre Road (New) we note Lower Range leading to Ahiripukur Road; we next cross Circus Avenue, then Beck Bagan Row and reach the point where the thoroughfare takes a sharp curve eastwards and joins Syed Amir Ali Avenue.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 91 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Circus Avenue

Retracing our steps to Circus Avenue, and assuming we enter it from its junction with Lower Circular Road, we will have on the left West Range, directly opposite which is the Park Circus Telephone Exchange. Crossing Lower Range and then Karaya Road, we note Nasiruddin Road (right) leading to Syed Amir Ali Avenue, and a little higher up, we cross Jhawtollah Road. Park Court ( right ) and Siddiq Mansions ( left ) facing each other,  bring us to the end of Circus Avenue, […]

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 91 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

Syed Amir Ali Avenue

and turning right, we find ourselves in Syed Amir Ali Avenue, odd numbers on the left even numbers on the right. Park Court begins the thoroughfare on the right, and a little lower down is Nasiruddin Road facing Congress Exhibition Road.  Farther down is Jhawtollah Road, a section of which mysteriously finds its way across the Avenue: directly opposite Jhawtollah Road is Dilkusha Street winding into Rifle Road. Passing the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation's Store Depot, we cross Beck Bagan Row and reach Karaya Road; higher up (left) we pass the mysterious section of Jhawtollah Road and immediately after, Bright Street giving access to Mayfair Road, which leads to Palm Avenue. Ballygunge Park Road on the left and Ballygunge Store Road on the right, mark the end of Syed Amir Ali Avenue,

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 91 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

 

 

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Old Ballygunge

 

 

 

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Old Ballygunge Road

and we step into Old Ballygunge Road. Proceeding, we pass Ballygunge Park (left), Sunny Park (right), Ironside Road (left), Queen's Park (right) and come to the point where six roads radiate: these are, Bondel Road and Broad Street on the left, both leading to Rifle Road ; Hazra Road leading to Kalighat Bridge; Old Ballygunge Road leading to Syed Amir Ali Avenue; Gariahat Road following a southerly direction to the Dhakuria Lakes, and Ballygunge Circular Road leading to Lower Circular Road.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 91-92 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

 

 

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Ballygunge Circular Road

 

 

 

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Ballygunge Circular Road

Assuming we enter Ballygunge Circular Road from Lower Circular Road, we will then have No. 1 on the right and No. 64 on the left. A short distance from the entrance (left) is the Headquarters of the Boy Scouts First Association, Calcutta. On the right, at No. 1, is the United Missionary Training College, founded in 1910 for the training of Indian Women teachers, and a few steps farther on is Rowland Road leading to Lansdowne Road.

We now face Bathgate & Co's dispensary; at this point Ballygunge Store Road branches off to the left and forms a triangle with Ballygunge Circular Road and Ballygunge maidan in the rear : the space thus enclosed is known as Rainey Park. At No. 2 Store Road, is the Pasteur Institute (Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine), where hydrophobia cases are treated. Patients are attended to from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, including Sundays and holidays.

Continuing our way along Ballygunge Circular Road, we pass Mullen Street leading to Lansdowne Road, and come to the entrances of Lovelock Place and Lovelock Street. A little higher up is Puddapukur Road leading to Ashutosh Mukerjee Road, and a short distance farther up, David Hare Training College and then Ritchie Road leading to Hazra Road. The thoroughfare now takes a sharp curve to the left and brings us to the newly-erected St. Lawrence School for Boys; on the left is Tripura House, the palatial residence of the Maharajah of Tripura: facing Tripura House is Dover Road. Passing Dover Park and then Deodar Street leading to Hazra Road, we reach The Calcutta University Science College for the study of Anthropology, Botany and Zoology.

The Calcutta Corporation Vaccine Depot (right) and the Ballygunge Police Outpost (left) bring us to the end of Ballygunge Circular Road, whence we pass into Gariahat Road.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 92-93 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

 

 

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Gariahat Road

 

 

 

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Gariahat Road

Continuing, we have on the left Merlin Park, then Rustomji Street, and on the right Garcha Road leading to Hazra Road; farther on (left) is the thoroughfare styled Mandeville Gardens, leading past Swinhoe Street to Ekdalia Road. Passing Nundy Street, Dover Lane, Hindustan Road and the Imperial Bank of India (Ballygunge Branch) on our right, we reach the intersection of Gariahat Road and Rash Behari Avenue.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 93 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

 

 

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Rash Behari Avenue

 

 

 

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Rash Behari Avenue

Proceeding along Rash Behari Avenue, we note on the right, the Bank of Commerce (Ballygunge Branch), Aleya Cinema and Fern Road, and on the left Cornfield Road leading to Swinhoe Street.  At this point Rash Behari Avenue crosses Ekdalia Road, which leads to Ballygunge Station Road and Ballygunge Railway Station.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 93 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)

 

 

 

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Ekdalia Road

 

 

 

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Ballygunge Railway Station

 

 

 

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