Guided Tour No.3:  Chowringhee to Sealdah

 

 

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Introduction

 

The very mixed neighbourhoods of the East are the subject of this tour out to Sealdah Station the other great entry to the city.

 

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Chowringhee (south of Park Street)

 

 

 

          _____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

 

 

 

 

 

          _____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

 

 

Chowringhee (south of Park Street)

Taking the junction of Park Street and Chowringhee Road as the starting point of this tour, we have on the left the extensive building of Hall &. Anderson Ltd., (Departmental Store), with their show-windows extending along Park Street to Russell Street. Next are the motor car show rooms of G. Mackenzie & Co. (1919) Ltd.

Adjoining is the Bengal Club, […]

Higher up is Virginia House (Imperial Tobacco Co. (India) Ltd.), a lofty building of modern architecture, accommodating on its ground floor Lloyds Bank, Ltd., (Chowringhee Branch); alongside is the New Club, not so new as its name implies, having been in existence since 1884.

A little way along we reach the offices of the Automobile Association of Bengal, and immediately after, the stately building of the Army and Navy Stores, Ltd.: this departmental store was originally a co-operative society for members only, but is now open to the general public. By the side of the Army and Navy Stores runs Middleton Street, leading past Russell Street and Little Russell Street to Camac Street; while at the corner of Middleton Street and Chowringhee Road stands Darbhanga House, the town residence of the Maharajah of Darbhanga, adorned with a handsome illuminated clock tower : next comes Willingdon House, accommodating the Bengal Home Industries and the Good Companions.

[…]

Continuing our way along we pass Harrington Street, leading to Camac Street, and reach Theatre Road, one of Calcutta's most fashionable thoroughfares.

[…]

Returning to Chowringhee Road and resuming our way, we pass on the right the Racquet Club and St. Paul's Cathedral (Page 44). Opposite the Cathedral is the Lord Bishop's House, purchased and renovated in 1849 by Bishop Wilson at a total cost of about Rs. 80,000/-. The building is commodious and well constructed, with wide verandahs on the west and south sides. At the main gate is a gigantic bell, surmounted by a double-headed Chinese dragon, bearing an inscription in Chinese.

We next pass Birla Mansions and then King Edward Court and reach Lower Circular Road, which begins from the foot of Kidderpore Bridge (Kidderpore Road) and swinging in a north-asterly direction, terminates at the point where Belliaghatta Road and Bow Bazar Street stand facing each other. Crossing Lower Circular Road, we have on the right the Government Bengal Pilot Chummery, and a number of fine buildings erected on what was once the Chowringhee maidan and later the Exhibition grounds. On the left is Bishop Lefroy Road, leading to Lee Road : the northern side of Bishop Lefroy Road is occupied by L. McDonnel, Ltd., and the southern side by Paul Mansions and Calcutta Mansions.

Next comes Alexandra Court, a commodious three-block building and then Suburban Hospital Road running parallel to Bishop Lefroy Road. A few steps higher up we come to the end of Chowringhee Road, with Sambhu Nath Pundit Street leading past the Presidency General Hospital to Bhowanipore Road on the right and Elgin Road leading to Lansdowne Road on the left.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 121-123 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)

 

Bengal Club

Adjoining is the Bengal Club, founded in 1827. This magnificent structure, built in the Renaissance style of architecture, was erected in 1908 at a cost of Rs. 9,00,000/- on the site of the Club's former building, once the residence of Lord Macaulay. The Club offers its members all facilities, social and residential, reciprocating with the Madras, Byculla, Hongkong and Shanghai Clubs.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 121 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)

 

Good Companions

[…] next [on Chowringhee] comes Willingdon House, accommodating the Bengal Home Industries and the Good Companions.

The idea of the Good Companions originated with Mrs. R. D. Cromartie, who in collaboration with Lady Benthall and Mrs. B. Studd, drew up a scheme, the aim being to establish a departmental store in Calcutta for marketing the products of Industrial Missions.

On the 6th January 1934, a meeting was held in the Bible House, 23 Chowringhee, with Mr. B. C. Studd in the Chair, when the scheme was officially discussed. It was decided to circularize all available Missions and invite their co-operation. There was a ready and enthusiastic response and the Good Companions opened its doors on the 22nd January 1934. At the moment there are 75 Missions on the list.

The Vicerine is the Patroness of the Institution, which is managed by a committee of seven members, and a working committee of eleven members, all honorary workers. The sale of products at the Good Companious is voluntarily undertaken by Society Ladies who generously devote part of their time as honorary workers.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 121-122 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)

 

Theatre Road

At the south-west corner of Chowringhee Road and Theatre Road once stood the Chowringhee Theatre, built in 1813 and totally destroyed by fire in 1839. It was in this theatre that Mrs. Esther Leach, the leading actress of her day, made her first appearance as Lady Teazle in Sheridan's "The School for Scandal" on the 27th July 1826, when only 17.

Entering Theatre Road, we note No.l on the right and No. 50 on the left. The lofty building immediately on the left is King's Court, while on the right we have Lord Sinha Road (formerly Elysium Row) leading to Lower Circular Road; farther up (left) is Little Russell Street leading across Harrington Street to Middleton Street. Passing Pretoria Street (right), leading to Lower Circular Road, we come to the point where Theatre Road and Camac Street bisect each other and a few steps higher up we note Wood Street facing Upper Wood Street. Crossing Hungerford Street and passing Outram Street, leading to Short Street, we cross Loudon Street and Rawdon Street and reach Lower Circular Road, from where we enter what is generally known as New Theatre Road. Crossing Karaya Road and passing on the left the offices of the Colonization Society of India Ltd., we cross Jhawtollah Road, and note New Theatre Road joining New Park Street just in front of Siddiq Mansion.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 122-123 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)

 

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

Admission : - Open daily from 6 a.m. to 7-30 p.m.

Services :—Sundays—Holy Communion 7 & 7-45 a.m.

Matins 8-30 a.m. Sung Eucharist and Sermon 9-0 a.m. School Service 11-0 a.m.

Children's Service :—4-30 p.m.

Evensong and Sermon 6-0 p.m. (15th October to 15th March), 6-30 p.m. (16th March to 14th October).

Weekdays (In Jesus Chapel):—Matins 6-40 a.m. Holy Communion 7-0 a.m.

1st & 3rd Wednesdays in the month :—Holy Communion in Bengali 7-45 a.m.

Trams :—Kalighat, Tollygunge, Ballygunge.

Buses :—Nos. 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4A, 5.

St. Paul's, the Anglican Cathedral of Calcutta and the Metropolitan Church of India, occupies the southeastern corner of the Maidan. Though a little overshadowed by the dazzling white bulk of its near neighbour, the Victoria Memorial, the Cathedral has an architectural dignity of its own, which cannot escape even the most casual visitor to this fascinating quarter of the city.

No sooner had the Government granted the site, than Bishop Wilson, through whose efforts and untiring energy Calcutta has secured a Cathedral which ranks amongst the finest in the world, proceeded with his plans. He laid the foundation stone in 1839 and the Cathedral, built from the design of Major W. N. Forbes (Bengal Engineers), was completed and consecrated in 1847. The cost, amounting to £50,000, was raised by public subscription, towards which the Government contributed £15,000 and Bishop Wilson £20,000.

Of Indo-Gothic architecture with a few variations, the Cathedral is 247 feet in length, 81 feet in width and 114 feet at the transept; the spire, since demolished, was 201 feet high and almost a replica of that of Norwich Cathedral, England. The new tower, modelled on the " Bell Harry" Tower of Canterbury Cathedral, was designed by Mr. W. I. Kier and built by Mackintosh Burn Ltd., at a cost of about Rs. 70,000/-. The top of the flagstaff rises to a height of 175 feet above ground level.

The grounds of the Cathedral are tastefully laid out with gorgeous flower beds, rolling lawns and shady trees. Five gates give access to the grounds, the main one being the Sir William Prentice Memorial gate, erected recently on the northern side.

Entering by this gate and proceeding we come to the large western porch. Ascending a short flight of steps, we enter the church and note a handsome Baptismal Font of white marble, resting on two circular pedestals of grey marble, erected to the memory of Sir W.H. Carnduff, a puisne judge of the Calcutta High Court. In the centre of the wall on the left, is a marble memorial to the sixteen officers of the Bengal Lancers who fell in the Indian Mutiny of 1857 ; a small medallion portrait of each officer lines the inscription. Facing the entrance is a memorial depicting two Eastern scenes, crowned with a seated figure of Justice, to the memory of Chief Justice J. Paxton Norman who was assassinated in 1871, and to the left is a tablet in memory of those who fell in the Bhutan campaign (1864-1866), erected by their comrades of the Bhutan Field Force. Alongside the Paxton Norman memorial is a Prie-dieu, draped with the flags of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.

On the right of the entrance, stands a white marble memorial, supported by two figures and surmounted by a bust, erected in memory of Major-General Forbes, architect of the Cathedral and the Mint (obit 1855). A staircase by the side leads to the library on the first floor, the gift of Bishop Wilson. Particularly noteworthy here is the stained glass window by Sir E. Burne-Jones, presented in 1880 by the Government of India in memory of Lord Mayo, Viceroy and Governor-General of India, assassinated at the Andaman Islands in 1872.

In the corner, at the foot of the staircase, is a picture of Jesus as a child, looking towards Samaria and entitled "The Hilltop At Nazareth."  Alongside is a massive memorial to Sir W. H. Macnaughton, Bart., Governor of Bombay and envoy to Kabul, assassinated at Kabul in 1841. This memorial depicts the Baronet seated on a pedestal supported by two figures holding crouching lions in leash. Directly underneath is a coloured representation of the "Nativity in Bethlehem" : this is called the Children's Corner. In the adjoining passage is a striking mural tablet to the memory of Sir Henry Lawrence, the defender of Lucknow, who fell during its siege in 1857. Next is a large carved marble memorial, a tribute of the Government of India to Lord Elgin and Kinkardine, who died in 1862 at Dharamsala during his term as Viceroy:

and to the right a memorial to Hari Har Sandel, the first Indian to be admitted to Holy Orders in the Anglican Church and who for thirty-one years ministered to the Bengali congregation of St. Paul's. On the wall opposite is the memorial to Sir William Ritchie, a friend of the novelist Thackeray, who wrote the inscription for the memorial; and to the right is a tablet in memory of officers of the 68th Native Infantry, who fell in the Mutiny of 1857, erected by their surviving brother officers.

We have now reached the Lantern below the Belfry, and our attention is first attracted to the kneeling statue of Bishop Heber. It is of white marble, the work of Chantry, and was formerly in St. Paul's Cathedral, London. The name of Bishop Heber ranks high in the list of those who have occupied the See of Calcutta, and is immortalised as the author of the famous hymn From Greenland's Icy Mountains.

On the right of Bishop Heber's statue is a blue screen marking the entrance to Jesus Chapel; where high above on the wall, preserved in a glass case, are two flags, the old colours of the 18th Bengal Infantry, Alipore Regiment, deposited in 1886. Pictures illustrative of the life of Christ adorn the walls.

On the left of the Heber Statue is a passage, giving access to the Chapel of Remembrance. This passage is lined with mural tablets ; of particular interest is one to J. W. Quinton, Chief Commissioner, and his officials, who perished in the Manipur massacre on March 24th 1891. The Chapel of Remembrance commemorates by name all those connected with St. Paul's Cathedral, who fell in the Great War : a light is kept constantly burning in this chapel. Here at the north-east corner, stands an impressive memorial to Colonel Baird-Smith of the Bengal Engineers, Master of the Mint and A. D. C. to Queen Victoria, and another to Major Montizambert erected by his schoolfellow Lord Dalhousie. By the side of the Altar, in a wooden framework is the "Lamp of Remembrance," presented by Lord Irwin in memory of Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, also a wooden cross from the grave of an Unknown British Warrior, who fell in the Great War. This chapel is used for Toc H. and other Guild Services. Directly opposite the chapel is the vestry, the walls of which are lined with photographs and portraits of former Bishops and Archdeacons.

Returning to the Heber statue and proceeding eastwards, we pass a memorial to Sir John Woodburn, Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, 1898-1902 ; alongside is a memorial tablet to Lieutenant William Anderson and Patrick Vans Agnew, Bengal Civil Service, murdered beneath the walls of Multan in 1848 : the epitaph is from the pen of Macaulay. Facing the memorial is a brass plate presented by Lord Curzon to the memory of those of Lumsden's Horse who fell in the South African War (1899-1901), also a marble tablet erected to the memory of members of the Calcutta Light Horse who gave their lives in the Great War.

The lighting system in the Cathedral consists of reflectors which throw the light on to the ceiling and thus diffuse it evenly throughout the building. Apart from its primary purpose of lighting, this system throws into relief the carved ceiling, which is painted in delicate grey-green and finished with Gothic tracery. Passing down the centre aisle, we note that, in addition to the pews facing the Sanctuary, there are tiers of seats on each side and at the west end. The first row of seats on the right is reserved for the Governor of Bengal, and close by is a raised dais, with a handsomely carved wooden canopy, for the Viceroy. On the left is the brass lectern and the marble pulpit.

The gigantic organ by Willis & Sons, London, is on the north in the chancel, the choir is opposite, while the Bishop's throne occupies the south-east corner of the Sanctuary.  The large and beautiful candlesticks are in memory of Mr. Ernest Day, who was murdered in 1924, a victim of mistaken identity.

The wall behind the altar is adorned with a reredos depicting incidents from the Life of St. Paul, portrayed in alabaster set with coloured mosaic and above are three stained glass windows separated from one another by two Florentine frescoes.

To the right of the Bishop's throne is a memorial window, erected by the Government of India to Bishop Milman and nearby on the wall, one to Bishop Cotton.

On the left below the Sanctuary is a vault, containing the mortal remains of Bishop Daniel Wilson. The Altarpiece is adorned with representations of "The Annunciation," "The Adoration of the Magi" and "The Flight Into Egypt." The Altar is a gift from the Bengal Chamber of Commerce in memory of their late president, Sir William Ironside : the handsome Communion Service was presented by Queen Victoria.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages  44-48 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)

 

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL : The Anglican Cathedral of Calcutta and the Metropolitan Church of India occupying the south-eastern corner of the Maidan on Chowringhee Road was completed and consecrated in 1847. The Church cost L50,000, of which L20,000 was contributed by Bishop Wilson himself. There are some fine illuminated windows, statues and portraits in the Cathedral.

(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)

 

 

 

 

          _____Memories of 1940s Calcutta_______________________

 

 

 

 

 

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Elgin Road

 

 

 

          _____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

 

 

 

 

 

          _____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

 

Elgin Road

Entering Elgin Road and proceeding we have on the right the London Missionary Society, and on the left the Sambhu Nath Pundit Hospital, bounded on the east by Lee Road. Facing Lee Road is Justice Dwarkanath Road running southwards and joining Puddapukur Road in front of the Y. M. C. A. (Bhowanipore Branch). Then comes Umananda Road leading to Heysham Road and a little higher up Allenby Road leading to Hazra Road. Next on the left is Woodburn Road and higher up, at Nos. 5 & 6, the Elgin Nursing Home. On the right we have the Bhowanipore Congregational Church, by the side of which runs Ray Street leading to Lansdowne Road ; farther up we pass in succession Lady Roger's Indian Nurses' Hostel, the Cathedral Mission High School for Boys, St. Mary's Church, and at No. 47, St. John's Diocesan Girls' High School.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 123-124 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_______________________

 

 

 

 

 

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Lower Circular Road

 

 

 

          _____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

 

Home or club south of Calcutta's ""downtown."

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

 

 (source: Glenn S. Hensley: Downtown, HB005, "Home or club south of Calcutta's ""downtown.""  It was on the extension of Chowringee, the best that I can remember. " seen at University of Chicago Hensley Photo Library at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/hensley as well as 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 and under a Creative Commons license)

 

 

 

 

 

          _____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

 

 

VICTORIA MEMORIAL

Location :—At the southern end of the Maidan, with the main entrance on Queensway.

Admission to the Grounds : —Open daily from sunrise to sunset, throughout the year.

Admission to the Memorial :—Except on Mondays, when the Memorial is entirely closed, and on Tuesdays, when it is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Victoria Memorial is open daily, including Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (March to October), and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (November to February).

Admission to the Memorial is free with the exception of galleries XII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII and XVIII, for which an entrance fee of annas four is levied.

On Fridays an entrance fee of annas eight is made which admits one to the whole building.

A charge of annas eight per head is levied for ascending to the Grand Dome and entering the Echo Chamber and Whispering Gallery.

Trams :—Kalighat, Kidderpore.

 Buses: —Nos. 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 12, 12B.

The Victoria Memorial in Calcutta is incomparably the most magnificent monument erected to the memory of the great Sovereign whose name it bears. This enormous yet symmetrical pile of white marble, conceived by the genius of Lord Curzon, is regarded as one of the great buildings of the modern world and is unsurpassed as a repository for priceless collections of pictures, statues, historical documents and other objects of art and interest, illustrative of Indian History in general and the Victorian era in particular.

Designed by Sir William Emerson (architect), the foundation stone was laid on the 4th January 1906 by King George V, then Prince of Wales. The building, of Renaissance architecture with traces of Saracenic influence, was constructed by Messrs. Martin &. Co. Calcutta, under the supervision of Mr. V. J. Esch, C. V. O. (architect), at a cost of Rs. 76,00,000, subscribed by the Peoples and Princes of India, and was formally opened on the 28th December 1921, by H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward VIII.

The dimensions of the Hall at the corner towers are 339 feet by 228 feet. The dome of the building, 182 feet above ground level, is surmounted by a figure of Victory 16 feet high, weighing 3 tons, revolving on a sphere 2 feet in diameter. The ornamental statuary groups over the entrance, and the figures surrounding the dome were designed and executed in Italy.

The treasures within the Memorial are worthy of their magnificent repository. The collection and arrangement of the material was entrusted to Sir William Foster, C.LE., and later the work of revision and completion was supervised by Sir Evan Cotton, C.I.E. At the express desire of Lord Curzon, the Trustees have prepared an illustrated catalogue of the exhibits, which is in itself a work of art and of historical value. This catalogue is on sale to the public and a copy should be in the hands of every visitor.

Arriving at the Memorial from Queensway, we pause at the Lion-guarded gate to inspect the striking bronze statue of Lord Curzon by Pomeroy. The great Proconsul stands bare-headed facing his Sovereign and the magnificent Memorial he was instrumental in raising to her Imperial memory. Surrounding his statue at the four corners, are groups of statuary representing Commerce, Famine Relief, Agriculture and Peace.

Proceeding up the drive, we come to the bronze statue of Queen Victoria by Sir George Frampton. Her Majesty is represented seated on a throne, wearing the Robes of the Order of the Star of India, on her head is a crown, in her right hand the Sceptre and in her left hand the Orb of State adorned with the figure of St. George. Surmounting the throne are bronze figures representing Art, Literature and Justice, while at the back in relief, side by side, are the Lion of Britain and 'the Tiger of India, and above them the Sun that never sets on the British Empire. The pedestal is of green marble, adorned in front with the Royal Coat of Arms encircled by palms of Victory. On the base of the pedestal are bronze bas-reliefs, depicting Indian State processions.

The spacious grounds around the building are well laid out with gorgeous flower beds, wide lawns, sequestered walks and gleaming stretches of water, while rustic benches beneath shady trees, provide inviting and restful retreats.

Proceeding, we reach the Memorial, awe-inspiring in its superb construction, sheer white beauty and sweeping grandeur: ascending the broad marble steps we pass into the Entrance Hall (I) where we note marble statues of King George V and Queen Mary; bronze busts of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra; a musical Grandfather Clock by Whitehurst of Derby; a wooden model of the Victoria Memorial; and the original design of the Victoria Memorial by Sir William Emerson. Passing through the Vestibule to the Royal Gallery (II), which contains photographs of former Governors-General and a bronze bust of Florence Nightingale, we enter the Royal Gallery (III), on the south wall of which hangs a masterpiece by Vassili Verestchagin, depicting the State procession of the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward VII, at Jaipur in 1876. This exhibit, regarded as one of the finest works of art in India, was presented by the Maharaja of Jaipur. Of particular interest here are Queen Victoria's writing table and armchair, which she used daily at Windsor Castle; a pianoforte made to the order of William IV by S. and P. Erard in 1829, on which she learned to play; oil paintings of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort, their marriage, the christening and marriage of King Edward VII, Queen Victoria's Jubilee Services, and a portrait of Queen Alexandra.

In the Annexe to the Royal Gallery (IV) are a number of interesting exhibits, including Queen Victoria's last letter to India, dated 14th December 1900; King Edward VII's signed message, read at the Delhi Coronation Durbar; two exquisitely Indian embroidered dresses, one worn by Queen Alexandra at Courts in London and the other worn by Lady Curzon at the Centenary Fancy Dress Ball held in Government House, Calcutta, in January 1903 ; Queen Victoria's Proclamation Banner (1877); a gold embroidered footstool used by King George V. at the Delhi Coronation Durbar in 1911; photographs of Earl and Countess Canning ; lithographs of Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, an engraving of Windsor Castle; paintings of Queen Victoria's Coronation; the laying of the foundation stone of the Victoria Memorial Hall; several engravings of Queen Victoria; a photograph of her Majesty with her Indian Attendant, and 60 engravings, on a screen, depicting the female aristocracy of her Court.

Returning to the Entrance Hall (I), we pass into the Vestibule to the Portrait Gallery (V), containing a number of engravings of Indian scenes, a coloured engraving of the Court of Fath Ali Shah of Persia and a marble bust of Charles James Fox. In the Portrait Gallery (VI) we have fine portraits of Lord Metcalfe, Lord Bentinck, Sir Robert Sherley (1581-1628), Dwarkanath Tagore, Field Marshal Gough, Dr. Alexander Duff, Bishop Heber, John Zephaniah Holwell, Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, Lord Clive, Major-General Stringer Lawrence, Admiral Charles Watson, Viscount Lake; marble statues of the Marquess of Wellesley, the Marquess of Hastings and the Marquess of Dalhousie; two large oil paintings representing the investiture of the Duke of Edinburgh with the insignia of G. C. S. I.; and the State Entry of Lord and Lady Curzon and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught into Delhi for the Coronation Durbar of 1903. In the show cases are displayed manuscripts of great interest to antiquarians, including Tipu Sultan's note book written by himself; an Ain-I-Akbari by Abdul Fazi, Prime Minister of the Emperor Akbar; poems of Nizami and Jamali; the first volume of the Calcutta Gazette dated Thursday, June 3rd, 1784; Akbarnamah in two volumes, bearing the imprimature of the author Abdul Fazi Allami; Sir William Jones* translation of the great Sanskrit drama Sacontala (The Fatal Ring) by Cali Das; an illustrated Anwar-I-Soheili, written in 1518 A. D., bearing Akbar's signature; Quhstan, written by Zarein Haqam; also aquatints and paintings on talc, of costumes of the Bengal, Madras and Indian armies.

The Annexe to the Portrait Gallery (VII) contains a number of paintings and engravings. Of special interest are those of Muhammad Ali, Nawab of Arcot, Tipu Sultan, Sir William Jones the famous Orientalist, founder and first President of the Asiatic Society of Bengal; David Hare, founder of the Hindu College; William Carey, D. D., founder of the Baptist Mission Society; Brigadier-General John Nicholson of Mutiny fame; Field-Marshal Sir Neville B. Chamberlain (1820-1902); Brigadier-General Sir Henry Lawrence; Field-Marshal Earl Roberts; Major-General Sir Henry Havelock, who relieved Lucknow during the Mutiny; Raja Ram Mohan Roy the great Hindu Reformer; and the Rev. J. Z. Kiernander, the first missionary of the Church of England in Bengal. In the centre of the room is a large show case, displaying a unique collection of ancient armour and weapons of the various States of India.

Finding ourselves once more in the Entrance Hall (I), we enter Queen's Hall (VIII). In the centre directly under the dome is a splendid and dignified statue of Queen Victoria by Sir Thomas Brock. On the walls of the Hall are marble panels inscribed with the Queen's Proclamations on the transference of India to the Crown in 1858, and on her assumption of the title of Empress of India in 1877. High up above the gallery which circles the Hall are 12 frescoes by Frank Salisbury, depicting the main incidents in the life of the great Queen. The bronze doors on the two sides of Queen's Hall, giving access to the Eastern and Western Quadrangles (IX and X), are fine specimens of intricate workmanship. In the centre of the Eastern Quadrangle is a marble statue of the Marquess of Cornwallis and, in the Western Quadrangle, one of Warren Hastings.

Staircases to the right and left of Queen's Hall lead to galleries XIX to XXXII, but it would be an advantage for visitors to explore the lower floor before going upstairs.

From Queen's Hall (VIII) we pass into Prince's Hall (XI), containing busts of Brigadier-General John Nicholson, Earl Canning, Lord Lawrence, Major-General Sir Henry Havelock, the Duke of Wellington, Major-General Claude Martin and the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray. The outstanding feature of this Hall is the fine marble statue of Lord Clive, a replica of the one outside the India Office in London. Two French guns, captured by Lord Clive at Plassey in 1757, are very appropriately placed here.

To the left of the Prince's Hall is the Durbar Hall (XII), with its handsome wrought-iron gates surmounted by the Royal Coat of Arms. Admission is by ticket (four annas), which covers entrance to this Hall as well as to the Galleries Nos. XIV, XV, XVI, XVII and XVIII. These galleries contain exhibits of historical and world-wide importance and interest and no one should miss visiting them.  The Durbar Hall, one of the most striking galleries in the building, displays a wide variety of interesting objects, including a valuable collection of Indian stamps; water colour sketches by Miss Eden, sister of Lord Auckland; Queen Victoria's Journal in the Highlands, and The Early Years of the Prince Consort; an autographed letter from the Duke of Wellington; a Bengali letter from Nund Coomar; Warren Hastings' snuff box; a number of Oriental paintings on screens; engravings and aquatints of views of Calcutta; show cases of swords formerly belonging to Lord Roberts, Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali and others; uniforms worn by King Edward VII and Lord Curzon; silver trumpets used at the Coronation Durbar at Delhi, and the stone Throne or Musnad of the Nawabs Nazim of Bengal, hewn out of a single block, dating from 1641. It is said that the stone occasionally exhudes a rust coloured liquid due to the presence of iron ore.

Retracing our steps to Prince's Hall (XI), we enter the Vestibule to Daniell Room (XIV). In this vestibule are various uniforms worn by heralds and trumpeters at the Coronation Durbars of 1903 and 1911. The Daniell Room (XV) is adorned with a number of fine paintings of Indian scenes by Thomas Daniell, R. A., William Daniell, R.A., and John Zoffany, R.A., some of which have been exhibited at the Royal Academy, London. The chief among these are Lord Cornwallis receiving the son of Tipu Sultan, and Lord Clive receiving from Emperor Shah Alam the Grant to the East India Company of the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, both paintings by John Zoffany; The Embassy of Haidar Begg to Calcutta, by J. Zoffany; Lord Cornwallis receiving the Hostage Princes, by Mather Brown; The Imambara of Asaf-ud-Daula at Lucknow by W. Daniell; part of Mausoleum of Nawab Assuph Khan, by Thomas Daniell.

Queen Mary's Room (XVI), contains many portraits and views of absorbing interest, mostly presented by Her Majesty. There are paintings of Sir Saiyed Ahmed Khan by Poresh Nath Sen; Raja Sir Tanjore Madhava Rao by Raja Ravi Varma of Travancore; Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere by Malcolm Stewart; Major-General John Briggs by J. Smart; The Poet Rudyard Kipling by Sir Phillip Burne-Jones; Sir James Fitzjames Stephen by C. H. Thompson; Lord Macaulay by A. C. Dyer; Brigadier-General Sir Henry Lawrence by Miss M. Saunders; Rajandra Lal Mitra by Lai Fong; Major-General Sir Peter Lumsden by D. Ward; Sir Elijah Impey by Tilly Kettle; Nawab Asaf-ud'Dowlah by Ozias Humphry; Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Strachey by T. Blake Wirgman; The Old Fort and Holwell's Monument, Calcutta, by T. Daniell; John Zoffany, R.A., (1733-1810), by himself; The Daniells in India; The Jummah Musjid, Delhi; Sir Colin Campbell (first Baron Clyde); Lord Pigot of Patshull; Duke of Wellington; Major-General Sir David Ochterlony; Major-General Sir Robert Sale; also portraits of Governors-General of India from Warren Hastings down to Lord Curzon. An exhibit of great historical interest is the last page of a letter dated 7th July, 1686, bearing Job Charnock's signature.

Gallery (XVII), contains paintings of Tipu Sultan and his sons, Mahdaji Sindhia, a collection of arms and armour of various Indian States, flags of old time regiments, an Austrian machine gun, and other interesting exhibits. The exhibits in Gallery (XVIII) include engravings of the Preparation for Suttee, the Battle of Meeanee, and the Festival of the Mohurram, a painting of Keshub Chandra Sen, an aquatint of the Gate to Akbar's Mausoleum and show cases containing models of the old East Indiaman Allumghier and of the battlefield of Plassey (1757) in plaster of Paris, together with a cannon ball picked up on that field.

Back to Prince's Hall we pass out of the door to the southern vestibule. At the foot of the staircase to the right are two cannons, one an old Indian camel gun, the other bearing an inscription in Bengalee to the effect that it was cast by one Kisore Das Karmakar, blacksmith; the gun belonged to the Maharaja of Nadia, who played an important part in the Revolution of 1757. Ascending this staircase we enter the Vestibule leading to Hastings Room (XIX). Here are exhibited King Thebaw's Silver Carpet, a coloured oriental painting of the Dasara Procession of His Highness the Rao of Kutch, and a Panorama of Her Late Majesty Queen Victoria's Coronation Procession (about 80 feet long). Among the exhibits in Hastings Room (XX) are two busts of Hastings in glass cases, a number of portraits of Warren Hastings and Mrs. Hastings, Views of Daylesford House, Hastings' family home, his tomb in Daylesford churchyard, and an engraving of his trial; an ivory teapoy and chair, part of the famous suite of Warren Hastings; and a paper booklet containing Hastings' account of his duel with Philip Francis in 1780 ; several engravings of Tipu Sultan's last stand at Seringapatam, his death, the surrender of his sons and a model of the Fort of Seringapatam (No. 1376).

The Print Room (XXI) and the Calcutta Room (XXII) run parallel to Hastings Room (XX). In the former are mezzotint engravings of Sir William Peel, Lord Napier of Magdala, Viscount Gough, General John Jacob, several battle scenes; a portrait of Countess Mornington, the mother of the Duke of Wellington and the Marquess Wellesley; a lithograph of Sir Charles Napier and several paintings and portraits of Indian scenes.

The Calcutta Room (XXII) should be of particular interest to residents of this City. Some of the views represented are Old Court House Street, Calcutta in 1756, the River Hooghly, Calcutta from the Ochterlony Monument, Writers Buildings, Chowringhee, the Council House, Proclaiming the transfer of the administration to the Crown, Barrackpore, and a number of coloured lithographs of,Old Calcutta by Sir Charles D'Oyly. There are teakwood models of St. Anne's Church, Old Fort William and the South-East of Old Fort William showing East Gate Barracks and the Black Hole of Calcutta: the top of the last named can be removed to show interior details.

The Annexe to the Calcutta Room (XXIII) is on the right and offers many photographs, engravings and maps of Calcutta, showing the gradual growth of the city: this is illustrated by views entitled The Old Mission Church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Old Court House Street, Corner of Maidan (now the Curzon Gardens), Site of Sans Souci Theatre (now St. Xavier's College), Clive Street and Dalhousie Square, Chowringhee, Riverside, Old Bengal Club, Old Fort William, United Service Club, Shipping on the Hooghly, Howrah Bridge, Old Post Office, the former Royal Exchange, Roman Catholic Cathedral and the original Black Hole Monument and its present replica.

Adjoining the Calcutta Room is the Bombay and Madras Room (XXIV), containing a wide display of views of both these cities and south India. These include a collection of engravings of costumes of the western side of India, the palace of the late Nawab of Arcot and Fort St. George. On the right is the Document Gallery (XXV) where a number of ancient and original documents, sanads, parchments and letters may be inspected. Of special interest among these are a sanad by the Emperor Aurangzeb conferring a title on the Raja of Bansberia, two warrants of the Herald's College for the arms of the City of Calcutta in 1896, several documents relating to Sir Colin Campbell's appointments, letters in Persian to and from the Raja of Pudukotai, a page from the baptismal register showing the entry of baptism of Job Charnock's daughters, accounts of Queen Victoria's Coronation and Marriage as published in the Sun, an old English newspaper, a poem in honour of King George V's Coronation, documents in the hand-writing of Zaibunessa, daughter of Shah Jahan, three holograph letters of Maharaja Nund Coomar, and the original jewel bond for the alleged forgery of which Nund Coomar was tried, convicted and hanged. In a show case are a large number of minutes, treaties, despatches, letters and a sketch of the career of Keshub Chandra Sen, written by himself and presented to Lord Curzon. In another case is a Tibetan manuscript on durable thick paper made from beaten grass.

Emerging from Gallery (XXV), we turn left and ascend a short staircase leading to the circular gallery of Queen's Hall just below the frescoes.  The first door on the left leads to the North-West Balcony (XXVI), where are exhibited an engraving of the Mausoleum of Haider Ali and several fine views of Simla, Lucknow, and south India. A passage from Balcony (XXVI) leads to the North Porch Room (West) (XXVII), which contains steel engravings of the Himalayas; while a doorway on the left gives access to a gallery leading to the North Porch Room (East) (XXVIII), containing aquatints and engravings of Monghyr, Lucknow, Benares, Ceylon and Abyssinia.  From here we turn left and pass into the North-East Balcony (XXIX), on the walls of which are hung tinted lithographs of the Mutiny of 1857. In the North-East Gallery (XXX) are displayed an assorted collection of views of Calcutta, Delhi, Seringapatam, Lucknow and South Africa, as well as mezzotints of the installations of the Nawabs of Bengal and the Carnatic. Worthy of special attention is the picture of Mr. T. H. Kavanagh, V. C., disguised in order to make his way out of Lucknow, to guide the relieving force led by Sir Colin Campbell. A passage at the end of this gallery leads the way over an open terrace to Room (XXXI), in which are displayed the Coronation Durbar scenes. At the farther end of this room a doorway gives access to the North-East Corner Tower Room (XXXII), lined with some very fine paintings of military officers by Fred Swynnerton, several views of Calcutta, and a photograph of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Queen Memorial Hall. This is the last room in the building.

A staircase from these galleries brings us down to Queen's Hall (VIII); from where we make our way to the southern vestibule to inspect two old guns, one of which is marked 'H. H. Maxwell, 1865, Cossipore,' and both inscribed with the motto "Horn Soit Qui Mal y Pense DCCCLXV."

In the grounds on the south is a life-size marble statue of Lord Curzon by Pomeroy, in the robes of a Grand Master of the Order of the Star of India. Farther on, in the centre of the roadway leading to the southern gate, is a memorial marble arch surmounted by an equestrian statue of King Edward VII, and a few yards farther south is a naval gun, captured by the Turks at Kut and recaptured from them during the Great War, mounted on a carriage which was used in the Boer War (1899-1901).

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 33-43 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)

 

VICTORIA MEMORIAL

VICTORIA MEMORIAL : A vast treasure-house of priceless collections of relics and records, paintings and portraits, statues and sculptures relating to British-Indian history, this great memorial to Queen Victoria of England is the most imposing building in Calcutta. Conceived by Lord Curzon and erected at a cost of nearly a crore of rupees contributed by the princes and people of India, it dominates the Maidan. Built entirely of Jaipur marble, the design is chiefly Renascence with traces of Sarcenic influence.

 

(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)

 

THE PRESIDENCY GENERAL HOSPITAL

Visiting Hours: —Private rooms 8-30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Alexandra Ward (for children) : 5 p.m. to 6-30 p.m.

Other Wards : 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In Patients admitted : 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Urgent cases at any time.

Out patients seen : 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (Sundays excepted).

Trams :—Kalighat, Ballygunge, Tollygunge.

Buses :—Nos. 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4A, 5.

A short distance from the Cathedral, at No. 244

Lower Circular road, is [The] Presidency General Hospital, overlooking the Maidan, occupies a splendid site in large and well laid out grounds, and is bounded on the west by Bhowanipore Road and on the east by Harish Mukerjee Road. The original hospital was built on the site of a garden house, which was acquired in 1768. The present handsomely designed building, airy and well adapted for its humanitarian purpose, was built to the east of the original hospital in 1901 and has 168 ward and private room beds. The Woodburn Ward, erected to the west of the main building, consists of 25 private rooms equipped with all modern conveniences. About 50 yards to the north of the main building are the Observation Ward and the Diphtheria Ward, the Cholera Ward and the Halliday Ward, mainly for skin diseases. The Anglican Chapel and the Roman Catholic Chapel are on the south.

The Presidency General Hospital has an outstanding claim to distinction throughout the world, for it was in a small laboratory in this hospital that, Surgeon-Major, afterwards Sir, Ronald Ross of the Indian Medical Service, discovered in 1898 how malaria germs are conveyed by mosquitoes of the anopheles breed. This epoch-making discovery is worthily commemorated by an iron gate set in a masonry wall, to the right of the main entrance. Over the gate is a medallion portrait of Sir Ronald Ross, and let into the wall on either side of the portrait, are two marble tablets, one bearing the inscription :—

"In this small laboratory seventy yards to the south-east of this gate, Surgeon-Major Ronald Ross, I.M.S., in 1898 discovered the manner in which malaria is conveyed by mosquitoes."

and the other :—

"This day relenting God
Hath placed within my hand
A wondrous thing : and God
Be praised at His Command.

"Seeking His secret deeds
With tears and toiling health
I find thy cunning seeds
O million murdering death.

"I know this little thing

A myriad men will save

0 Death where Is thy sting                 :

Thy Victory, 0 Grave ?"

This memorable Laboratory, now the Hospital's Clinical Laboratory, is reached by the gate a few steps to the left of the memorial.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages  48-49 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)

 

Lower Circular Road

Finding our way to the foot of Kidderpore Bridge we turn into Lower Circular Road. Proceeding, we have on the left the Calcutta Racecourse, believed to be the finest in the world, and on the right Belvedere Road, which runs across Zeerut Bridge, past the Zoological Gardens, and semi-circling Belvedere (Viceroy House) joins Alipore Road in front of the Agri-Horticultural Gardens. Along Lower Circular Road, at No. 248, is the Post and Telegraph Storeyard and Workshop; next is the Calcutta Police Training School and then the British Military and Family Hospitals, accommodated in a fine structure of Grecian architecture, built in 1830 and until 1862 used as the Sudder Dewani Adalat (Chief Court of Civil Justice). By the side of the hospitals runs Bhowanipore Road leading to Alipore Bridge. In Bhowanipore Road, on the right, is Minto Park Road and the Military Cemetery, opened in 1733 ; on the left is the Mental Observation Ward, Sambhu Nath Pundit Street, Marhatta Ditch Road and Sankaripara Road.

We have now reached the Presidency General Hospital, bounded on the east by Harish Mukerjee Road leading to Hazra Road. On the left are Hospital Road leading to Kidderpore Road, the southern entrance of the Victoria Memorial, and Cathedral Road, which leads past St. Paul's Cathedral, across Queensway, to Chowringhee Road. Higher up (right) is Gokhale Road leading to Sambhu Nath Pundit Street.

At the corner of Lower Circular Road and Chowrin- ghee Road stands the Calcutta Club, a fine building set in spacious grounds. It was opened on the 15th April 1907, and is conducted along the lines of a first class European Club : the election of a member is by ballot of the Committee taken at a meeting.

Crossing Chowringhee we have on the left Lord Sinha Road leading to Theatre Road, and on the right Lee Road leading to Elgin Road. Opposite Lee Road is Pretoria Street leading to Theatre Road. Next is St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, with a chapel for the use of the inmates, under the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor.  Alongside runs Camac Street, and facing Camac Street is Galstaun Park, the most magnificent private building in Calcutta; […]

Adjoining Galstaun Park is the French Motor Car Company, alongside which runs Woodburn Road leading to Elgin Road, and nearly opposite is Victoria Terrace; next is Hungerford Street leading to Short Street. Down Hungerford Street, on the left, is Victoria Terrace and then Albert Road leading to Camac Street; on the right is Moira Street leading across Loudon Street to Rawdon Street, then the crossing of Theatre Road, and a little farther on (left), the rear entrance of the Saturday Club.

Back to Lower Circular Road and proceeding, we pass Minto Square and then Loudon Street leading to Park Street and reach Lansdowne Road, a broad thoroughfare which provides a favourite route for private cars and taxis hastening to the Dhakuria Lakes. Farther down we note Rawdon Street and Lower Rawdon Street facing each other. Next on the right is Tivoli Park and immediately after, Ballygunge Circular Road.

Continuing our way, we have Bishop's College on our right, with Beck Bagan Row leading across Syed Amir Ali Avenue to Shamsulhuda Road and then Circus Avenue leading to Park Street (New). Passing Nurallah Lane, St. Xavier's College Hostel for Indian students, and West Range, leading to Circus Avenue (right) and Auckland Place leading to Auckland Square (left), we come to the crossing of Theatre Road : a little way along (right) is Acre Road leading to Karaya Road. Crossing Park Street, we have on the right Lower Circular Road Cemetery, opened in 1840. Just inside the entrance is a striking marble memorial to Sir William MacNaughten, Bart., Governor-Designate of Bombay, assassinated at Kabul in 1841. Lower down is buried the Rt. Hon'ble James Wilson, Finance Member (obit 1860) and Sir John Woodburn, Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal (1898-1902). To the north of the cemetery runs Bijii Road, leading to Crematorium Street. Facing Bijii Road is Mullick Bazar and farther down, Elliott Road leading past McLeod Street and Royd Street to Ripon Street.

Pursuing our way along Lower Circular Road, we pass, on the right, Beniapukur Lane and then the Salvation Army Men's Industrial Home, and on the left the Baptist Chapel, the Baptist Mission and Ripon Street leading to Free School Street.

Passing Alimuddin Street leading to Wellesley Square, the Convent of our Lady of Providence (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) and European Asylum Lane leading to Wellesley Square by way of Taltollah Lane (left); the Pratt Memorial School for Girls, St. James' Church and St. James' College (right) we reach Beniapukur Road, leading to the junction of Jannagore Road and Linton Street. Next is the Calcutta Corporation Motor Vehicles Department, and at No. 160 the Sangit Sangha (Indian Academy of Music). This Institution was founded by Sir Ashutosh and Lady Prativa Choudhuri in 1901, the object being to revive, encourage and popularise the various schools of Indian classical Music and to establish Schools for regular instruction in Music ; then comes Police Hospital Road, which runs eastwards to Dr. Suresh Sarkar Road, and southwards to Beniapukur Road. At the northern corner of Police Hospital Road and Lower Circular Road is the Entally Market. Farther on (left) is Durga Charan Banerjee Road leading to Surendra Nath Bannerjee Road. Next we pass St. Teresa's Roman Catholic Church, and immediately after, Surendra Nath Bannerjee Road leading to Chowringhee Road.

[…]

Back to Lower Circular Road and proceeding, we come to Dharamtala Street (left) leading to the junction of Chowringhee Road and Bentinck Street. Passing in succession Creek Row, leading to Wellington Square, Creek Lane, the Calcutta Dental College and Hospital, Suri Lane, Gomes Lane, the Loreto Day School (Sealdah), Dixon Lane, Serpentine Lane, leading to St. James' Square;

and on the right, the Calcutta Corporation Store Department, the Campbell Hospital, the Sealdah Civil Court and the Sealdah Police Court (entrance from No. 1 Belliaghatta Road), we come to the end of Lower Circular Road, with Bowbazar Street on the left and Belliaghatta Road on the right facing each other, and Sealdah Station close at hand.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 124-126 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)

 

Calcutta Scottish Headquarters and Club

At No. 1 Gokhale Road, with the main entrance on Chowringhee, is the Calcutta Scottish Headquarters and Club, a handsome building of modern architecture erected in 1924. The Unit was founded in 1914, but the Club in its present form came into being only in 1937. The Club is a social one and has a good reputation in the field of sport. It is open to members of the corps only.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 124 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 Park

Alongside runs Camac Street, and facing Camac Street is Galstaun Park, the most magnificent private building in Calcutta; it stands in the midst of spacious grounds, beautifully laid-out with wide lawns, gorgeous flower-beds and a miniature lake.

During the Great War Mr. Galstaun very generously placed this commodious building at the disposal of the military authorities, to be used as a temporary hospital for British soldiers, and it was in this palatial building that Mr. Galstaun, in December 1921, received as his guest H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward VIII. Mr. Galstaun always very willingly lent his Park for open-air functions and allowed the general public free access to the grounds and swimming pool. The Park is now the Calcutta residence of H. E. H. the Nizam of Hyderabad.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 125 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)

 

LA MARTINIERE

La Martiniere for Boys, situated at 11 Loudon Street in a fashionable quarter of the city, was founded from funds left by General Claude Martin on September 13th 1800 and opened on March 1st 1836.

General Claude Martin was born at Lyons (France) in 1735 and came out to India as a soldier in the French Army in 1752. He was made a prisoner of war in an affray with the English. Later, on account of his outstanding abilities, he was given a commission as a Lieutenant in the Army of the Hon'ble East India Company. He rose to the rank of Major-General and died at Lucknow on the 13th September 1800.

The building, surmounted by a dome, and set in grounds covering over seven acres, was constructed by J. P. Parker from the design of ]. H. Rattray, and completed on the 31st December 1835 at a cost of £ 23,000/-. It contains a Chemical and Physical Laboratory and Lecture Theatre, a Geography Room, a room for Manual Instruction, a dining hall capable of accommodating 190 boys, four dormitories, a hospital with general and infectious wards, a dispensary, and a library. An additional block, containing an Assembly Hall with galleries, eight spacious airy class-rooms and a large Art Room, was completed in 1915.

La Martiniere is a higher secondary school ; its upper forms which are constituted as an affiliated college of the Calcutta University, prepares candidates for the Intermediate Arts and Science Examinations.

The boys participate in all kinds of sports : Swedish drill and boxing classes are held by a qualified instructor. There is a Swimming Bath, Cadet Corps, Wolf Cub Pack and a Boy Scout Troop which has held the King's flag since 1919.

To the north of the Boy's College at 14 Rawdon Street, is La Martiniere for Girls, likewise founded by 'General Claude Martin, and conducted along the same lines as that of the Boys. In addition, General Claude Martin has provided for the maintenance and education of 33 boys and 22 girls, known as Foundationers.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 128 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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Sealdah

 

 

          _____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

 

Steam locomotive of the Bengal & Assam RR in the yards by Sealdah Station, Calcutta.

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

 

 (source: Glenn S. Hensley: Steam locomotive, Rr003, "Steam locomotive of the Bengal & Assam RR in the yards by Sealdah Station, Calcutta."  seen at University of Chicago Hensley Photo Library at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/hensley as well as 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 and under a Creative Commons license)

 

Front of Sealdah Station

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

 

 (source: Glenn S. Hensley: Sealdah Station, Rr004, "Front of Sealdah Station."  seen at University of Chicago Hensley Photo Library at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/hensley as well as 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 and under a Creative Commons license)

 

Front of Sealdah Station

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

 

 (source: Glenn S. Hensley: Sealdah Station, Rr005, "Front of Sealdah Station."  seen at University of Chicago Hensley Photo Library at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/hensley as well as 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 and under a Creative Commons license)

 

Passenger waiting area, Sealdah Station, Calcutta

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

 

 (source: Glenn S. Hensley: Passenger waiting area, Rr010, "Passenger waiting area, Sealdah Station, Calcutta."  seen at University of Chicago Hensley Photo Library at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/hensley as well as 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 and under a Creative Commons license)

 

Trains ready to depart Sealdah Station, Calcutta

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

 

 (source: Glenn S. Hensley: Ready to depart, Rr012, "Trains ready to depart Sealdah Station, Calcutta."  seen at University of Chicago Hensley Photo Library at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/hensley as well as 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 and under a Creative Commons license)

 

Trains ready to depart Sealdah Station, Calcutta

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

 

 (source: Glenn S. Hensley: Ready to depart, Rr013, "Trains ready to depart Sealdah Station, Calcutta."  seen at University of Chicago Hensley Photo Library at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/images/hensley as well as 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 and under a Creative Commons license)

 

 

 

 

 

          _____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

 

 

 

 

 

          _____Memories of 1940s Calcutta_______________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Entally

 

 

          _____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

 

 

 

 

 

          _____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

 

 

Entally

We have now reached the point known as Molali Darga, technically the gate to Entally. The thoroughfare branching to the right is Dr. Suresh Sarkar Road, leading past Middle Road Entally, to Dehi Serampore Road; next is Convent Road. Down Convent Road, immediately on the  left, is the Calcutta Corporation Stores and Workshops, and higher up Canal Street. Facing Canal Street, is the Roman Catholic Cemetery; at No. 12 is the Entally Police Station and adjoining it Convent Square.

The two large buildings on the right, viz., Stanistreet House, (No.18), and Saxby &. Farmer (India) Ltd. (No. 17), bring us to the foot of the Eastern Bengal Railway Bridge.

No. 2 across which, on the right, stands Entally Loreto Convent, accommodating the Chapel of our Lady of Good Counsel, a Boarding and Day School, an Orphanage and a Nursery. It is here that the Corpus Christi Procession is held annually in the first week of November.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40
(source pages 126 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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