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This tour takes you right through the traditional
Bengali north of the city.
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The indifference of the passer-by on this downtown
(source: webpage http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/etext/sasia/calcutta1947/? Monday, 16-Jun-2003 / Reproduced by courtesy of David N. Nelson,
South Asia Bibliographer, Van Pelt Library,
Taking the junction of
Continuing our way along Bow Bazar Street we pass, on the right, the Carey Baptist Church
and on the left, the Calcutta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
founded by Colesworthy Grant, in whose memory a fountain was erected in
Dalhousie Square East in 1881; next comes Phear Lane winding to Colotolla
Street, and facing it, on the right, is Bow Street, leading to the junction of
Kapalitolla Lane and Weston Street.
Robert Street leading to Central Avenue (right) and Haberley Lane,
Giri Babu Lane and the Bow Bazar Post and Telegraph Office (left), bring us to
the crossing of Chittaranjan
Avenue.
[…]
Returning to Bow Bazar Street at the crossing of Chittaranjan Avenue,
and proceeding eastwards, we pass on the right, Kenderdine Lane, the Calcutta
Medical Club, the Indian Association Hall and St. Xavier's Church, and reach
St. Joseph's College (Page 97). Gangadhar Babu Lane leading to Eden Hospital
Road on the left, and New Bow Bazar Lane on the right, bring us to the point
where Wellington Street and College Street stand opposite each other.
[…]
Returning to Bow Bazar Street and proceeding eastwards, we have on the
left, the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, founded in 1876 by
Dr. Mahendra Lall Sirkar, and on the right, Gaur De Lane, Syakrapara Lane,
Durga Pituri Lane and Madan Dutt Lane. Next on the left, is
Continuing our way along Bow Bazar Street, we note the Calcutta Hotel
and Restaurant at the corner on the right; a few steps farther on, at No. 125A,
is The Refuge; next is Refuge Lane. Passing the N. C. Nag Regular Homoeopathic
College and Free Out-door Dispensary, the offices of the Basumati (a daily
newspaper) and Williams Lane (left), and Golap Sastri Lane, Hazuri Mull Lane
and Fordyce Lane leading to St. James' Square (right), we come to Bharatstri
Shikshasadan Girls' High School: adjoining is the City Telegraph and Commerce
College and nearly opposite is the George Telegraph Training Institute. The
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Admission :—Open daily from 6 a.
m. to 7 p. m.
Services :—Sundays—Masses at 6-30, 7-30, and 8-30 a. m. Benediction after
the last mass.
Tuesdays—Masses at 6, 6-30 and 7
a. m. Benediction at 6-45 p. m. On the first Tuesday of every month.
Benediction and Sermon at 6-45 p. m.
Other Weekdays—Masses at 6, 6-30 and 7
a. m.
Trams :—Sealdah to
Buses :—3, 3A, 10, 33, 35, 36
and 38.
This church, generally known as the
The church in recent years has become a centre of
pilgrimage, attracting a large number of devotees on Tuesdays, particularly the
first Tuesday of each month, when the church, which has recently been extended
by the addition of two side aisles, is literally filled to overflowing with
Catholics and non-Catholics, who flock to it from all parts of Calcutta, and
also from distant stations. The centre of attraction is the statue of Our Mother of Mercy, which is
regarded by many to be a miraculous one. It is believed that prayers said
before it seldom remain unanswered. Beyond the fact that the statue was brought
from the house of one Mrs. Baptist of
Entering by the main gate, we have on the right
Turning left and ascending a short flight of marble
steps, we find ourselves in the vestibule, upon which is reared the steeple
containing the Clock Tower and Belfry. As we enter the church we note two
tablets, one to the memory of Rev. Francisco D'Assin and the other to Rev.
Ricardo Fenelin D'Costa. On the right is the baptismal font, and on the left a
staircase leading to the organ loft overhead. By the side of the staircase,
covering the remains of Mrs. Grace
Elizabeth, is a memorial surmounted by the figure of a cherub sounding a
trumpet: fourteen scenes depicting the Way of the Cross adorn the walls.
Proceeding along the main . aisle, we come to the
Communion Rails, which separate the nave from the Sanctuary: on the right is
the statue of
To the left of the High Altar, are statues of Our
Lady of Good Counsel and
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
This Institution, situated at
In 1871 the name of the school was changed to St.
Joseph's Boarding and Day School; later, however, Dr. Paul Count Goethals,
the first Archbishop of Calcutta, finding that the Calcutta Christian Brothers
were not recruiting enough members to keep pace with the increasing educational
wants of the period, brought about their amalgamation with the Irish Christian
Brothers, the first batch of whom arrived in Calcutta on the 5th January 1890.
The Irish Christian Brothers are a body of teachers
entirely devoted to education. On taking charge of the Institution, they
re-opened the Entrance Class, had the school affiliated to the
The College has a well furnished Art Hall,
up-to-date laboratories, a well-equipped Geographical Hall, an efficient Manual
Hall, for wood and metal work, a large Library and a Hall for Debating Club
Meetings.
Excellent as
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
[…] and farther on (right) is Metcalfe Street
leading across Weston Street to the new road which links Chittaranjan Avenue
with Dalhousie Square. At
(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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Hindusthan building, one of the most modern in Calcutta, was built for
an insurance company but occupied upon its completion by the
(source: webpage
http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/etext/sasia/calcutta1947/? Monday, 16-Jun-2003 / Reproduced by courtesy of David N. Nelson,
South Asia Bibliographer, Van Pelt Library,
Assuming we enter Chittaranjan Avenue from
Chowringhee Square, we will then have on the right Statesman House and on the
left Victoria House and then Bharat Bhawan Building, let in flats for
residential and business purposes : on the ground floor are the city offices of
the Amrita Bazar Patrika (a daily newspaper) and the Bank of India, Ltd. Facing
Bharat Bhawan building is the Central Court. Crossing Meredith Street, at No.
19 of which are the Chinese Choong Ye Thong Church and Meikaung Free School, we
pass the Chung Wah Restaurant on the left and reach the crossing of Sooterkins
Street. At the corner on the right, is the lofty Himalaya House, in the
adjoining building to which are housed the offices of Longmans, Green, Limited;
then comes the White House, accommodating the Bengal Government Industrial
Museum (Page 115), while on the opposite side stands Magnet House, the offices
of the General Electric Supply Company. Crossing
Passing the Calcutta Police G. & H. Section
House, accommodating the Hare Street and Bow Bazar Thanas (left), and a roadway
giving access to Malanga Haldar and Kenderdine Lanes (right), we come to the
intersection of Bow Bazar Street.
Continuing our way along
We now cross Harrison Road and note on the left,
Bharat Luchmi Cinema; directly opposite it is the Burra Bazar Telephone
Exchange Building, and separated from it by Kalabagan Bustee New Road, is Sett
Dusendoyal Gajanand Poddar's Marwari Chhatra Niwas (Hostel), housing the office
of the All-India Marwari Federation.
Crossing Mechua Bazar Street we have on the left,
Shree Vishuddhanand Saraswati Vidyalaya Marwari Boys' School), a fine
three-storeyed building accommodating on the ground floor the Marwari
Association, founded in 1898. We now cross Munshi Sudderuddin Lane and note on
the right Mitra Lane and on the left Chitpore Spur, where is the Burra Bazar
Post and Telegraph Office.
Crossing Muktaram Babu Street and passing Kailash
Saha Lane, Parbutty Ghose Lane, Bazak Bagan Lane, Tarak Pramanick Road, Jora
Pooker Lane (right); and Madan Chatterjee Lane, Baranasi Ghose Street and Pyari
Mohan Pal Lane (left), we come to the crossing of Vivekananda Road. At the
south-west corner of
Continuing our way, we pass on the left, Bolaram De
Street, Nundo Mullick Lane, Adwaita Mullick Lane and the Dipali Cinema; and on
the right, W. C. Banerjee Street, Thakurdas Chuckerbutty Lane, Ashutosh De
Lane, and reach the crossing of Maniktala Street and then that of Beadon
Street. We then cross
Crossing Durga Charan Mitra Street (Sonagachi) and
immediately after, Musjidbari Street, we pass Joy Mitter Street and Tarak
Chatterjee Lane (left), Ananda Prosad Street and Kali Dutto Street (right), and
come to the crossing of Grey Street. A short distance from this point the
Avenue cuts through
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Trams :—Esplanade/Dalhousie-Shambazar.
Buses :—2, 2A, 13, 14.
Out-Patients Department:—Patients are seen at 10
a.m. on the
following days for the diseases mentioned :
General Tropical Diseases—Mondays, Thursdays,
Saturdays.
Kala-azar—Mondays, Thursdays.
Diabetes—Thursdays.
Skin Diseases—Wednesdays, Saturdays.
Leprosy and Filariasis—Tuesdays, Fridays.
Antt-Rafcic Treatment:—These cases are attended to
at the Pasteur Institute at
This world-famous Institution, at the south-east
corner of
The chief object of the
The research side of the Institution aims at the
discovery of better methods of treating and preventing the great disabling
diseases of
In the limited space at our disposal, it is
impossible to deal adequately with the valuable work and momentous discoveries
made in the field of medical science by the
The School Library. This is an invaluable
collection of up-to-date standard works on medical science. It contains over
15,000 volumes dealing comprehensively with every aspect of Tropical Medicine,
in addition to other subjects.
The
The School is affiliated to the
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Trams
:—Esplanade/Dalhousie-Shambazar.
Buses;—2, 2A, 13, 14.
Visiting Hours :—5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays; 4 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
This Hospital forms the other part of the scheme
framed by Sir Leonard Rogers for post-graduate instruction and research in
Tropical Diseases.
The building, commodious and handsome, adjoins the
The chief purpose of the Hospital is to keep the
research laboratories of the
Medicine in touch with Practical Medicine, and to
supply suitable patients for the study of the various diseases being
investigated. Patients are only admitted if found suitable and must have
attended the Out-patients' Department of the School or Tropical Medicine.
The Hospital receives difficult cases of obscure
diseases from all parts of
this is undertaken because of the extensive
laboratory facilities available, which are far greater than those existing in
any other hospital in the East.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Trams :—
Esplanade/Dalhousie-Shambazar.
Buses:—2, 2A, 13, 14.
The idea of establishing such an Institution was
mooted as far back as 1860, when a Royal Commission visited
The Institute works in close co-operation with the
School of Tropical Medicine and a number of investiga- tions have been worked
out Jointly by members of the staff of these two Institutions ; it is
affiliated to the Calcutta University for degrees in D. P. H. & Hy.,
diplomas in Maternity and Child Welfare, and other special courses. The
Institute comprises the following sections:—
Public Health Administration.
Sanitary Engineering.
Vital Statistics and Epidermiology.
Blood-Chemistry and Nutrition.
Malariology and Rural Hygiene.
Maternity, Child Welfare and School Hygiene.
The Institute has a staff of distinguished
Professors and a Library covering a wide variety of books on various medical
matters.
(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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(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Side street, C014, "Side street off today's Bentinck Street, north of tram terminus." 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)
(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Rabindra Street, C022, Looking south down today's Rabindra Street from the Nakhoda Mosque. I think the dome at right of center on the horizon is the post office on Dalhousie Square. 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)
(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Nahkoda Mosque, C016, "Looking down from Nahkoda Mosque on street activity, Calcutta. Note brick ""blast walls"" to protect from potential bomb damage. These are the vertical walls you will see in front of some buildings' doors." 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)
(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Nahkoda Mosque, C017, "Looking down from Nahkoda Mosque on street activity, Calcutta. Note brick ""blast walls"" to protect from potential bomb damage. These are the vertical walls you will see in front of some buildings' doors." 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)
(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Nakhoda Mosque, T018, "Scene in Nakhoda Mosque, 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)
In contrast to the magnificent
palace in background, two sweating coolies strain at a load of precious
firewood. The building is known as the
Marble palace, contains a rich collections of paintings, lavishly
furnished. it belongs to a Bengali
family who are alleged to feed hundreds of poor daily.
(source: webpage
http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/etext/sasia/calcutta1947/? Monday, 16-Jun-2003 /
Reproduced by courtesy of David N. Nelson, South Asia Bibliographer, Van Pelt
Library,
The Nimtolla [sic] Mosque,
largest Mohammedan mosque in
(source: webpage
http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/etext/sasia/calcutta1947/? Monday, 16-Jun-2003 /
Reproduced by courtesy of David N. Nelson, South Asia Bibliographer, Van Pelt
Library,
Admission:—Mahomedans
(Worshippers), 4 a.m. to midnight. Non-Mahomedans
(Visitors), 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location:—
Trams :—Esplanade-Baghbazar
via Chitpore.
Esplanade-Belgatchia via
Chitpore.
Buses :—4, 4A.
Muslims in
The
foundation stone was laid on the 11th September 1926, and the building, constructed at a cost of Rs.
15,00,000/-, stands as a lasting monument to the generosity of the Cutchi
Memons.
The Mosque,
with its large Prayer Hall capable of accommodating 10,000 worshippers, its
majestic dome, its two lofty minarets, each 151 feet high, and 25 smaller ones
.surmounted by cupolas, whose heights range from 100 to 117 feet, should be a
great attraction to visitors.
The entrance
is through the lofty arches of two imposing gateways of red sandstone from
Dholpur, designed after the famous Buland Gate of Fatehpur-Sikri. Rich
ornamental marble, with designs similar to those of the Taj Mahal and other
celebrated Muslim edifices in the East, have been lavishly used in the
interior.
During the
month of Ramazan, beacons visible from a great distance shine from minarets, to
indicate to the Faithful the proper time of fast, which all Muslims are called
upon to observe.
The Mosque
is administered by a Board of Trustees, appointed exclusively from the members
of the Cutchi Memon Jama'at.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
NAKHODA MOSQUE : It is the
largest Mahomedan mosque in
(source:
“A Guide Book to
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
Admission :—Free.
Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
daily.
Trams :—Esplanade/Dalhousie-Baghbazar
via Chitpore.
Esplanade/Dalhousie-Belgatchia via Chitpore.
Buses:—4, 4A, 13, 14.
The Marble Palace, situated at No. 50 Muktaram Babu Street
in northern Calcutta, is reached by way of Upper Chitpore Road or Central
Avenue, the latter being the more convenient route.
The entrance gate on the west is flanked on either side by
tall graceful palm trees, that stand like nodding sentinels as if to screen the
glory of the Palace from the squalid street without. Entering we pass, as though by the wave of some magic wand, into
a veritable garden of fairyland.
The grounds are laid out with artistic merit and lavish
profusion; marble figures of Venus, Sophocles, Hermes, Psyche, Demosthenes,
Winter, Autumn, Messenger and others, dot the lawns in pleasing harmony and
awaken slumbering memories of ancient Macedonia and the legendary gods and
heroes of the Greece that was. In the centre is a murmuring fountain, throwing
a cascad- ing column of water to an appreciable height, while on the right
stands a life-size statue of the founder, Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur.
Rippling softly to the north-west of the Palace, is a wide
ornamental lake, gleaming with hidden lights and the shimmer of many
reflections. In the middle of the lake is a fountain adorned with statues of
Greek mythological deities, while mermaids and tritons sport festively among
the falling spray. To the north of the
lake is the Thakurbari, the sacred abode of the goddess where, in surroundings
befitting its calm repose and ethereal splendour, dwells the deity of the
Mullick family.
At the southern end of the garden, in a cave, sits a white
marble Sannyasi (Hermit) deep in devotion; nearby is a Greek goddess dreaming
of Olympus, and across the way, a Boddhisattva (Devotee) wrapped in calm
meditation.
The lawns to the west of the Palace are studded with
statues and marble curios, too numerous for close detail; of particular
interest, however, is an elaborately-carved marble fountain surmounted by a
figure of
The Palace is built within the four sides of an inner
court, the front being supported by lofty colonnades enclosing a spacious
verandah abounding with objects of art, the most imposing being a full-length
statue of a Viking, looking uncannily life-like with a horned helmet and a
double-headed battle-axe.
Passing through the verandah we gain the western room,
displaying a wide variety of statuary, objects of interest, and emblematic
figures representing Commerce, Agriculture, etc. In the adjacent room is a
large statue of Queen
The inner court contains a rare collection of monkeys,
while peacocks, parrots and other birds of brilliant plumage add a touch of
gorgeous colour, and throw into relief the walls of the Palace.
Flights of steps to the north and south lead to halls on
the upper floors, artistically decorated with chandeliers, mirrors, marble
statues and other objects of art. The roof is inset with gold, and the floor,
paved with marble, is an exquisite blend of many colours.
On the walls hang innumerable paintings; of special
interest is that of the "Marriage of St. Catherine", for which an
offer of £ 15,000 has been refused, and "The Martyrdom of St.
Sebastian", both by Rubens. Other fine paintings include, " The
Battle of the Amazons", "Venus and Adonis", "The Last
Supper", "The Descent from the' Cross", "Soldiers
Review", "Venus Asleep", "Horse Fair", " Apollo
flaying Marcyas", "Agrippa", "Cleopatra", and "
Queen Victoria and her Consort Prince Albert".
The reception room is lavishly furnished; the walls are
edged with marble fonts set with coloured globes, while Japanese and Chinese
curios adorn the spacious balconies. The brilliance of the whole is
indescribable, reminding one of the grandeur of the Mogul Courts or a page out
of the Arabian Nights.
The
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
MARBLE PALACE : The Marble
Palace, situated at 50 Muktaram Babu Street in northern Calcutta, reached by
way of Chittaranjan Avenue, is an imposing structure standing in a very large
grounds dotted with statuaries and fountains, aviaries and menagerie. It
contains a rich collection of paintings, two of which are said to be by Rubens.
The halls are lavishly furnished and richly decorated. The palace belongs to
the Bengali family of Mullicks who feed hundreds of poor every day.
(source:
“A Guide Book to
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
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This coconut market on
(source: webpage http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/etext/sasia/calcutta1947/? Monday, 16-Jun-2003 / Reproduced by courtesy of David N. Nelson,
South Asia Bibliographer, Van Pelt Library,
Turning left we enter
To the north of the Square are the
Crossing
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Trams :—Esplanade/Dalhousie-Shambazar.
Buses :—2, 2A, 13, 14.
The
Out Patients—From 8 to 10 a.m. daily,
except Sundays.
In
Patients ;—Visiting
Hours—5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. 4 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
The Medical College Group of Hospitals at
The original
To the north of this Hospital is the
This was built in 1886-87, with provision for twenty beds, by the
philanthropist Mrs. Moselle Ezra, in remembrance of her husband, Mr. E. D. J.
Ezra.
Adjoining the Ezra Hospital on the east is the
CHEST, EAR, NOSE, THROAT AND DENTAL
DEPTS.
Out-Patients:—From 8 a.m. daily, except Sundays. This block as the
original Eye Infirmary, built in 1891 and named after Sham Churn Law, who
provided the funds for its erection. A munificent donation by the
philanthropist Soorajmull Nagarmull has enabled the Hospital authorities to
extend the building in the rear and to establish a Chest Department, fitted
with operating, X-ray and research rooms.
SIR JOHN ANDERSON CASUALTY BLOCK
This handsome structure, immediately to the south of the Medical
College Hospital, was built and completed in 1937, in commemoration of the
centenary of the College, and named after Sir John Anderson, then Governor of
Bengal. The department, which is open day and night, is a self-contained unit,
equipped with all facilities for the immediate treatment of casualty cases. In
the rear of this block is accommodated the Skin Department, open from 8 to 10
a.m. on weekdays. The Hospital's Enquiry Office (Phone B. B. 1076) is also
located here.
PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL
This red brick building, directly to the south of the Sir John
Anderson Casualty Block, was erected in 1910, with beds for 88 surgical cases.
In the northern wing, on the first floor of this Hospital, within easy reach of
the General Out-door Departments and the Electrotherapy Treatment Rooms, is the
X-Ray Department, open from 8 a.m. daily, except Sundays.
EDEN HOSPITAL
Out-Patients:—From 8-30 to 10 a.m. daily, except Sundays.
In-Patients:—Visiting hours—5 to 6-30 p.m. on weekdays; 4 to 6-30 p.m.
on Sundays. Children allowed only on Sunday evenings.
This grey three-storeyed building, situated directly to the west of
the Prince of Wales Hospital, with provision for 130 patients, chiefly
maternity and gynaecological cases, was built in 1880 to relieve the great
pressure for accommodation in the Medical College Hospital. Erected from
Government grants and public donations, and named after Sir Ashley Eden, then
Lieutenant-Governer of Bengal, this Hospital, consisting of a central block and
four wings, one at each corner, was at the time of its erection considered to
be one of the finest and most up-to-date in the world. Another three-storeyed
building, adjoining the original block, has recently been erected for the same
purpose.
A few yards to the south of the Eden Hospital is the Female Isolation
Ward, for the treatment of septic cases.
EYE INFIRMARY
Out-Patients:—From 8 to 9-30 a.m. daily, except Sundays.
Visiting Hours:—5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays; 4 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
This striking, commodious, three-storeyed building, occupying the
space between the Eden and Carmichael Hospitals, with the main entrance on
Chittaranjan Avenue, was erected in 1926 with provision for 140 beds. The
Infirmary is staffed with highly qualified eye-specialists and is fully
equipped with the most up-to-date apparatus, embodying the latest discoveries
in the field of ophthalmic surgery.
The row of buildings on the south, extending along Eden Hospital Road,
houses the nursing staff of the hospitals.
The average number of in-patients admitted to this group of hospitals
is greatly in excess of actual provision made, and the urgent necessity of
providing additional blocks and wards is under consideration. At present the
Sir John Anderson Casualty Ward is being extended on the south.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
At the corner of Mirzapore Street and College
Street is College Square, adorned with the statues of the great philanthropist,
the Hon'ble Rai Radha Charan Pal (1867-1922), and that noted educationalist and
reformer, Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891). On the south is a
memorial to David Hare and the club house of the Bow Bazar Byayam Samity and
the Salendra Memorial Swimming Club: on the north is the club house of the
College Square Swimming Club and on the east, the Bengali War Memorial. The
Square has a large swimming pool equipped with spring boards, diving towers and
other modern swimming facilities; it is the venue of frequent swimming
championships, and many an endurance record has been set up in its waters.
To the north of the Square are the Hindu School and
the Sanskrit College. Opposite the Square, across College Street, is the
Calcutta University, and separated from it by Pyari Sarkar Street leading
to Madan Mohan Street, is Hare School, in the grounds of which stands the
statue of David Hare, one of the pioneers of English education in India.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
and the club house of the Bow Bazar Byayam Samity and the Salendra
Memorial Swimming Club: on the north is the club house of the College Square
Swimming Club and on the east, the Bengali War Memorial. The Square has a large
swimming pool equipped with spring boards, diving towers and other modern
swimming facilities; it is the venue of frequent swimming championships, and
many an endurance record has been set up in its waters.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Facing the Calcutta University Senate House in College Square is THE
BENGALEE WAR MEMORIAL, a simple column of stone mounted on a white marble
pedestal, inscribed with the words,
"In memory
of members of
The 45th. Bengalee Regiment
Who died in the Great War
1914-1918
To the Glory of God, King and Country."
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Trams :—Dalhousie/Esplanade-Shambazar.
Buses :—Nos. 2, 2A.
The Calcutta University,
the first in India, was founded in 1857 as an examining and degree-conferring
body. In 1904 it became a teaching and research organisation, with numerous
affiliated schools and colleges.
The Governing Body of the
University—the Senate—consists of the Chancellor, who (Vide Act VII of 1921),
is always the Governor of the Province, a nominated Vice-Chancellor, who is the
Chairman, and the ex-officio Fellows
and the Ordinary Fellows.
The University in its
early years was housed in rented premises. In 1864 a site was acquired in
College Street and two years later the foundation stone of the University
Senate Hall was laid. The building, constructed by the P. W. D., was completed
in 1872 at a cost of Rs. 4,34,697, and occupied by the University in the
following year.
The Senate House, an
imposing structure, is flanked on either side by spacious verandahs, and
fronted by a handsome portico supported by Ionic columns. In the centre of the
portico is a marble statue of the late Hon'ble Prosunno Coomar Tagore, C.S.I.,
(1803-1868), founder of the Tagore Law Professorship. The Hall, supported by
Corinthian pillars, is about 60 feet in width and 200 feet in length, with a
lofty roof painted in service grey. It is used as an examination hall, a
lecture hall, and for the annual convocation of the University.
The entrance to the Senate
Hall is adorned with the" busts of Raja Rajendralal Mitra (1824-1891),
Doctor of Law; Charles Henry Fawney, Fellow of the University;
Nawab Bahadur Abdul
Latiff (1828-1893), Member of the Senate; Henry Woodrow (1823-1876), Fellow of
the University and Director of Public Instruction, Bengal;
James Sutcliffe
(1824-1878), Registrar of the University and Director of Public Instruction;
Sir Gooroo Dass Bannerjee (1844-1918), First Indian Vice-chancellor; Sir Cecil
Beadon (1816-1880), Fellow of the University and Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal;
Maharajah Bahadur Sir Jatindra Mohan Tagore; Sir Alfred Woodley Croft,
Vice-Chancellor and Director of Public Instruction; an oil painting of Queen
Victoria; a bronze plaque of Sir Ramesh Chandra Mitter (1840-1899); and a
memorial tablet to Caulfield Aylmer Martin, Fellow of the University and
Director of Public Instruction.
The walls are lined with
large oil paintings of notabilities closely associated with the University,
including those of Muhammad Mohsin; Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee, Vice-Chancellor;
Sir Taraknath Palit (1841-1914); and Sir Rashbehary Ghose (1845-1921).
To the west of the Senate
Hall is the Darbhanga Building, erected at a cost of over Rs. 8,00,000, towards
which the Maharajah of Darbhanga contributed Rs. 2,50,000. It contains the Law
College, the University Offices, an Examination Hall for 700 students, and the
Library named after its patron, Maharajah Sir Ramoswar Singh of Darbhanga, who
has been nominated a Fellow of the University for life.
The Library is stocked
with numerous books on English Literature ; works of the chief authorities on
Indian antiquities ; sets of Sanskrit, Pali, Arabic, Persian, Latin, French and
German classics ; a good collection of Mathematical, Philosophical, Religious,
Historical (including Biographical, Geographical, Philological and
Anthropological) books ; a large number of recent editions by well-known
writers on Economics, Politics and Sociology ; Reports of Blue Books ; and some
very valuable sets of Bengali and Tibetan manuscripts.
The Hardinge Hindu
Hostel, with accommodation for 150 students, is situated to the south of the
Darbhanga Building.
The land south of the
Senate House was acquired out of a Government grant of Rs. 8,00,000 for the
erection of some of the more important departments of Post-Graduate teaching in
Arts. The building, originally a two-storeyed structure named after Sir
Ashutosh Mookerjee, Kt., C. S. I., was opened by the Governor of Bengal in 1926
; a third storey was added in 1927 and in the following year, yet another floor
was constructed.
The University College of
Science and Technology, which came into being through the munificence of Sir
Taraknath Palit and Sir Rashbehary Ghose, is situated at 92 Upper Circular Road
and 35 Ballygunge Circular Road. The College possesses an up-to-date technical
workshop, in addition to laboratories for Physics, Applied Physics, Chemistry,
Applied Chemistry, Applied Mathematics and Experimental Psychology ; the
Biological Laboratories are located in the Ballygunge building.
A generous gift from the
late Raja of Khaira has enabled the University to establish a chair for
Agriculture, and steps have been taken to build an Agricultural laboratory and
acquire a plot of land for experimental farming.
The Universities of Oxford,
Cambridge, Dublin, Edinburgh and Liverpool recognise the degrees of the
Calcutta University, and under certain conditions accept post-graduates at
their Universities.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
CALCUTTA UNIVERSITY : The University of Calcutta,
the first in India, was founded in 1857. The Senate House stands on College
Street, facing College Square. An imposing structure, the lofy Hall, supported
by Corinthian pillars, is used for lectures, the annual convocation and
examinations. To the west of the Senate House, the Darbhanga Buildings house
the University Law College and the Registrar's offices. The Asutosh Buildings
house the splendid University Library, the Post-Graduate classes and a museum of
art. The University College of Science and Technology is located at 92 Upper
Circular Road with a section at Ballygunge Circular Road.
The Medical College Hospitals, the Calcutta School
of Tropical Medicine and Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the All-India
Institute of Hygiene (the gift of the Rockefeller Foundation of America) are
all located round about the University as also the Presidency College, the
Sanskrit College and Calcutta University Institute.
(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)
This is situated at the
corner of College Street and Cornwallis Street. It has been started with the
object of collecting and exhibiting specimens of industrial and agricultural
products of India, Burma and Ceylon, for the purpose of making them better
known to consumers. Catalogues and samples from overseas markets are also
received and exhibited for the guidance of manufacturers.
The Museum, while acting
as an intermediary between buyers and sellers, by putting them in touch with
one another, performs the function of an intelligence bureau, furnishing
information on all industrial and commercial subjects.
Lectures and
demonstrations are frequently given on industry, commerce, other allied
subjects, and sanitation. In the library attached to the museum, are
collections of Indian and foreign publications on commerce and industry; also
current newspapers, magazines, reports, year books, etc.
(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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Proceeding along the main thoroughfare, which has
now become Cornwallis Street, we note No. 1 on the right, No. 225 on the left.
Immediately on the left is the Corporation's Commercial Museum and Free Reading
Room (Page 140); lower down is Mechua Bazar Lane and then Muktaram Row, and
facing right, Bechu Chatterjee Street leading to Amherst Street. A little way
along, on the left, is Muktaram Babu Street leading across Chittaranjan Avenue
to Upper Chitpore Road, while on the right is Sankar Ghose Lane leading to
Bechu Chatterjee Street, at No. 39 of which is Vidyasagar College. Next, on the
left, is Sadharan Bramho Samaj Library, Free Reading Room and Prayer Hall, and
on the right Vidyasagar Hostel, adjoining which is the Arya Samaj Meeting and
Prayer Hall. Passing Lalit Kumari Charitable Dispensary, Simla Street leading
to Vivekananda Road, Tarak Pramminic Road, the Women's Department of the
Vidyasagar College (left), and Sib Narain Das Lane, Kailash Bose Street and
Dinabandhu Lane (right), we reach the point where Maniktala Spur and
Vivekananda Road stand opposite each other. At the corner of Maniktala Spur and
Cornwallis Street stands the Oxford University Mission House; by the side is
Kishori Lall Mukerjee Lane, and a little higher up. Rev. Kali Bannerjee Row.
Next on the left, is Gour Mohan Mukerjee Street,
Simla Lane, and the Reading Rooms and Preaching Hall of the United Scottish
Church Mission.
We now cross Maniktala Street and note Christ Church
at the corner on the left; adjoining is Bethune College: on the opposite side
lies Cornwallis Square, one of the finest in north Calcutta.
[…]
Crossing Beadon Street, we note on the left, Sibu
Biswas Lane and then Kasi Bose Lane, and on the right Ray Bagan Street, the
Lady ]ane Dundas Scottish Church College Hostel, and the Scottish Church
Collegiate School. Passing Been Chose Lane, Brindaban Bose Lane, Abhoy Goho
Road leading to Hari Ghosh Street, and Hemendra Sen Street (left), and Sahitya
Prasad Street leading to Upper Circular Road, the Rung Mahal Theatre, Raja Raj
Kishan Street, the Rupabani Talkie House, Raja Bagan Street and the Star
Theatre (right), we reach the crossing of Grey Street.
Pursuing our way, we have on the left, Guru Charan
Lane, the Uttara Cinema, the Shree Cinema, Shampooker Street leading to
Shambazar Street, and Padda Nath Lane, and on the right, Nalin Sarkar Street,
Sikdar Bagan Street, the Chitra Cinema, and Mohan Bagan Lane leading to Upper
Circular Road.
Bolaram Chose Street and Narayatna Lane (left) and
Phariapuker Street and Kalachand Sanyal Lane (right), bring us to the point
where Upper Circular Road on the right and an extension of Chittaranjan Avenue
on the left, form a junction with Cornwallis Street.
Proceeding along Cornwallis Street, we have on the
right, R. G. Kar Road and Shambazar Market, and on the left, Mahendra Bose Lane
and Baghbazar Street leading to Upper Chitpore Road : facing Baghbazar Street
is Bhabanath Sen Street. Next comes Pal Street and then Dakshina Sen Lane. Gopi
Mohan Dutt Lane and Akhoy Bose Lane (left) bring us to the foot of Tallah
Bridge, at the point where Cornwallis Street joins Galiffe Street. Crossing
Tallah Bridge we gain Barrackpore Trunk Road: a short distance to the right
stands the elevated Reservoir of Tallah (Page 141).
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
We now cross Maniktala Street and note Christ
Church at the corner on the left; adjoining is Bethune College: on the opposite
side lies Cornwallis Square, one of the finest in north Calcutta. It has a
large oval-shaped swimming pool, equipped with diving towers, spring boards,
special swimming tracks and other facilities for aquatic sports and championships.
On the east is the club house of the Central Swimming Club and that of the
National Swimming Association (affiliated to the Royal Life Saving Society of
London), while in the north-west corner stands a statue of the philanthropist,
Butto Kristo Paul (1835-1914). The
Square is reserved for ladies during the hours of 5 to 6. 30 a. m. in the
summer and 6 to 7. 30 a. m. in the winter.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Trams :—Esplanade/Dalhousie to
Shambazar.
Buses :—2, 2A.
Situated at Cornwallis
Square in the north of Calcutta, the Scottish Church College stands unique
among the several educational institutions of the city in as much as it was
founded for the propagation of the Gospel more than a century ago, and to the
present day still retain the characteristics of its foundation.
In 1830 the Rev.
Alexander Duff, the first missionairy to India of the General Assembly
of the Church of Scotland, started this well-known Institution for spreading
the Christian doctrine through education at once liberal
and religious on Western
principles, with English as the medium of instruction in the higher classes.
The College was then known as the General Assembly's Institution. In 1843, on
Rev. Duff and his colleagues joining the Free Church of Scotland, a second
similar institution was founded and named the Free Church of Scotland
Institution, which was renamed Duff College on the death of its founder.
In 1908, the General
Assembly's Institution and the Duff College were united under the name of the
Scottish Churches' College, and in 1929, on the reunion of the - Churches of
Scotland, the distinctive plural "Churches was singularized and the
Institution since then has been known as the Scottish Church College.
The College is affiliated
to the Calcutta University in the LA., I. Sc., B.A., B.A. (Hons.), B.Sc.,
B.Sc.(Hons-) and B. T. (for women students only) and is equipped with an
up-to-date laboratory and a well-stocked library. There is a distinguished
staff of Professors, who are responsible for the many successes in the
University Examinations. Classes are
open to both men and women students, who are accommodated in five hostels.
There is a College Magazine and a College Union, and in the field of sport the
Institution is well to the fore.
Attached to the College
is a Welfare Guild, which has established a free Night School for the poor boys of the the neighbourhood.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Cornwallis Square, one of the finest in north
Calcutta. It has a large oval-shaped swimming pool, equipped with diving
towers, spring boards, special swimming tracks and other facilities for aquatic
sports and championships. On the east is the club house of the Central Swimming
Club and that of the National Swimming Association (affiliated to the Royal
Life Saving Society of London), […] The Square is reserved for ladies during
the hours of 5 to 6. 30 a. m. in the summer and 6 to 7. 30 a. m. in the winter.
(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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The Jain temple, Parashnath Mandir, is Calcutta's
gaudiest and most elaborate temple. The
Jains are a sect of the Hindus, a great many of whom belong to the
money-lending class, are shrewd and frequently wealthy. Jains do not believe in
taking a life, often even wear a nostril veil to prevent inhaling of insects.
(source: webpage http://oldsite.library.upenn.edu/etext/sasia/calcutta1947/? Monday, 16-Jun-2003 / Reproduced by courtesy of David N. Nelson,
South Asia Bibliographer, Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania)
Thence we turn left into Upper Circular Road, and
note No. 1 on the left, No. 307 on the right.
Proceeding we pass on the right, an obelisk erected
to the memory of those employees of the Eastern Bengal Railway who fell in the
Great War (1914-18); next is the Eastern Bengal Railway's Sealdah Station,
stretching away to the Roman Catholic Cemetery and the Church of St. John the
Evangelist, bounded on the north by the Railway Traffic Quarters. On the left
we have the Sealdah Market, Harrison Road leading to Howrah Bridge, Punchu
Khansama Lane, the Church of Scotland Mission, St. Andrew's Girls' School, Hyat
Khan Lane, the offices of the "Forward" (a weekly newspaper),
Musalmanpara Lane and Mirzapore Street leading to College Street. Facing
Mirzapore Street is Kaiser Street leading to the Clem Browne Institute, with
the Manson Institute at the corner of Kaiser Street and Upper Circular Road.
Next on the left, is Anthony Bagan Lane and a few
steps higher up the Fendall Home, alongside which runs Kali Shome Street
leading to Baitakhana Road.
Continuing our way, we pass on the right, the
Calcutta Medical School Hospital (formerly King's Hospital), by the side of
which runs Maharanee Surnomoyee Road leading to Canal "West Road. Passing
Keshab Sen Lane and then the Victoria Institution College and School for Girls,
we come to Keshab Chandra Sen Street (formerly Mechua Bazar Street): opposite
Keshab Chandra Sen Street is Gas Street leading past Raja Dinendra Street to
Narkeldanga Main Road, and a little higher up is Shyama Das Baidya Sastra Pith
College and Hospital (National Ayurvedic), bounded on the north by Raja Raj
Narain Street. Directly facing Raja Raj
Narain Street is the University Science College (Sir Tarak Nath Palit Laboratory),
and separated from it by Parshi Bagan Lane is the well-known Sir Jagadish
Chunder Bose Research Institute.
Pursuing our way along the main thoroughfare, we
pass on the right, in succession, Greer Park (Reserved for ladies), Brahmo
Balika Shikshalaya Girls' School, Federation Street, the Deaf and Dumb School,
and Garpar Road leading across Raja Dinendra Street to Canal West Road ; and on the left, Vidyasagar Street,
Badur Bagan Lane, Ram Krishna Dass Lane and Sukeas Street leading to Amherst
Street. Directly opposite Sukeas Street is Ram Mohan Roy Road, at the entrance
to which is the Ram Mohan Library and Free Reading Room, founded by Maharsi
Davonath Tagore in memory of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, founder of the Brahmo Samaj
religion. Adjoining the library is the Calcutta Homoeopathic Hospital and
College of Homoeopathy, established in 1882 ; next is Bahir Mirzapur Road
leading to Raja Dinendra Street. The Charitable Leper Dispensary is at No. 259
Upper Circular Road, and on the opposite side, at No. 113, is the Northern
District Police Office ; a tablet let into the wall at the gate bears the
following inscription :—
"From 1814 to 1830 this
house was the residence
of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, founder of Brahmo Samaj, born 1772, died 1833."
Passing Badur Bagan Row, Amherst Row, the Calcutta
Commercial Bank, Ltd. and Chaya Cinema (left), and Jugipara Main Road leading
to Raja Dinendra Street (right), we come to the point where Maniktala Street
and Maniktala Road stand facing each other. Next on the left we pass Maniktala
Market, Beadon Street leading to Upper Chitpore Road, Karbella Tank Lane and
Peora Bagan Street; and on the right, Haji Zakaria Lane, and Haisi Bagan Road
leading to the well-known Jain Temples (Parashnath Mandir) by way of Badridas
Temple Street; facing Haisi Bagan Road is Sahitya Parishad Street leading to
Cornwallis Street.
Proceeding, we have on the right, Kali Palit Lane
and Nandan Bagan Street leading to Raja Dinendra Street; farther on is
Ultadanga Road leading to Ultadanga Railway Station, while on the left we have,
Raja Raj Kissen Street, Madhab Das Lane, Grey Street leading across Cornwallis
Street to Upper Chitpore Road, Nalin Sircar Street leading to Cornwallis
Street, Govindra Mitra Lane, Mohan Bagan Lane and Mohan Bagan Row.
On the opposite side we note Nilamber Mukerjee
Street running eastwards and joining Raja Dinendra Street in front of the main
entrance of Deshbandhu Park.
[…]
Phariapukur Street and Kala Chand Sanyal Lane on
the left; Lalit Mitra Lane, Ram Ratan Bose Lane and Mohan Lall Street on the
right, bring us to the end ofUpper Circular Road ; […]
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
On the opposite side we note Nilamber Mukerjee
Street running eastwards and joining Raja Dinendra Street in front of the main
entrance of Deshbandhu Park.
This Park, named after the late Deshbandhu
Chittaranjan Dass, is one of the largest in northern Calcutta; it is well laid
out with wide gravelled paths, smooth lawns and a large variety of plants and
shrubs, and is adorned with the bust of Dr. Suresh Chandra Bhattacharya. The
Park contains a swimming pool, a physical culture enclosure, cement and grass
tennis courts, and recreation grounds where football and cricket are played in
season. The northern half of the Park, containing a picturesque pavilion,
swings and basket-ball grounds, is reserved for ladies. The Park is
occasionally used for civic and political gatherings.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
turning right [from Upper Circular Road] we enter
R. G. Kar Road. Down R. G. Kar Road, on the right, is Raja Dinendra Street
leading to Gas Street, and on the left, Pal Street leading to Cornwallis
Street. We have now reached the foot of Belgatchia Bridge, with Galiffe Street
on the left leading past Tallah Bridge to Chitpore Bridge, and Canal West Road
on the right leading to Belliaghatta Main Road.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
Admission :—Free. Open to the public
daily from sunrise to sunset and on moonlight nights by arrangement with the
Temple authorities.
Buses :—3, 3A, 10, 33.
The famous Jain Temples,
better known as Parashnath Mandir, situated in Badridas Temple Street, are
reached from Upper Circular Road by way of Haisi Bagan Road. The entrance to
this road is marked by two ornamental pillars, one bearing the inscription in
English : "Road to the temple garden of Rai Budree Doss, Bahadur, Mookeem
to His Excellency the Viceroy."
Proceeding down Haisi
Bagan Road and crossing Raja Direndra Street, we turn left into Badridas Temple
Street and come in sight of the Temples. These are four in number, the most
important being that dedicated to Shree Shree Sheetalnathji, the tenth of the
twenty-four Jain deities. Access to this Temple is gained through a lofty
triple-storeyed gatehouse, flanked on either side by crouching lions. A marble
tablet in the handsome portico beneath, records that the Temple was built in
1867 by Rai Budree Doss, Bahadur.
The garden within,
brightened by a variety of ornamental stonework and adorned with artistic
statuettes, is a fitting background to the beauty of the Temple. On the north
is the Reception Hall and the Temple Museum, in the centre a miniature lake,
gleaming like illusive quicksilver, reflecting the sun in a bewildering array
of prismatic colours, its widening ripples indicating the presence of silvery
fish. Nearby, softly murmuring fountains, in an old-world setting, give an
impression of soothing coolness and a feeling of quiet repose and tranquillity;
while high above the verdant greenness of the garden towers the many-pointed
spire of the Temple, flashing back the rays of the sun in extravagant beams of
kaleidoscopic light.
Turning left and
ascending thirteen steps of marble, inlaid with coloured mosaic, we gain the
Temple verandah, enclosed with a railing of filigree-worked metal and winding
in pleasing curves round the northern and southern sides of the Temple. Here,
supported by elaborately-worked pillars, is the sanctuary which, with its
luxuriant decoration, fairy-like and fantastic, is almost unsurpassed for
beauty. One feels that one cannot re-impose on paper the sheer play of colours,
mingling and merging in beams of light that seem to have a volition of their
own, that meet the eye; while large mirrors, glittering chandeliers and
many-coloured crystals, twinkling from a hundred facets, add to our mental
bewilderment.
A doorway from the
sanctuary gives access to the Inner Holy of Holies where, directly under the
spire, on an illuminated altar encircled by richly-gilt pillars, and enternally
guarded by images ofAnand Swami and Gatan Swami, reposes the deity in awesome
calmness, wearing a necklace of gold, and constantly garlanded with everfresh
and fragrant roses.
To the south of the
Temple of Shree Shree Sheetalnathji is the Temple dedicated to the worship ot
Shree Shree Chanda Probhujees, built by Ganeshlall Kapurchand Jahoor in 1895. A
short distance to the right, approached through a yellow masonry archway and
set in beautiful gardens, is the Temple dedicated to the worship of Dadaji Guru
and Kusuiji Maharaj. The shrine stands on a marble platform and in the Inner
Sanctuary, behind locked doors, are the feet of the deities. On the north are
the clustering spires of the fourth Temple where, in an inner court, paved with
coloured stonework of a rich and variegated design, reigns Mahabir, the last of
the twenty-four Jain deities.
The Jains in Calcutta are
a small community, being mostly merchants and bankers. Their religion was
founded by Mahavira Vardhamana, and is presumed to have started in Marwar in
about the 6th century B. C. The Jains believe in reincarnation; their Faith
hinges on the maxim, "Regard for life is the highest virtue." No Jain
will willingly destroy life, no matter how insignificant.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)
JAIN TEMPLE : The famous Jain Temple, better known as Parashnath
Mandir, situated in Badridas Temple Street, is reached from Upper Circular Road
down Halisbagan Road.
(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 BOSE INSTITUTE : This institute of science and research founded by
the late Sir J.C. Bose, the famous Bengalee Biologist, is located at 93/1 Upper
Circular Road (next door to the University College of Science) in a beautiful
building with ancient Indian Architectural features, set amidst lovely grounds.
Researchers are carried on here on the fundamental unity of plant and animal
life.
(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)
BANGIYA SAHITYA PARISHAD : The Academy of Bengali Literature located
at 243/1 Upper Circular Road houses a fine library of English and Bengali
books, a rare collection of Sanskrit and Bengali manuscripts, a museum of
Indian sculptures and bronzes and a portrait gallery of eminent Bengali
literary men.
(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)
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Crossing Belgatchia Bridge, we gain Belgatchia Road
leading to Jessore Road. Immediately on
the right is Rai Charan Sadhu Khan Road, leading across Daspara Bridge to
Woozir Choudhury Road, and on the left, the Carmichael Medical College and
Hospital, founded through the untiring energy of Dr. R. G. Kar, whose marble
bust adorns the portico of the Hospital's Central Block. By the side of the
Hospital runs Manmatha Nath Ganguly Road.
Proceeding along the main thoroughfare we have on the right, Jiban Krishna Ghose Road
leading to the Eastern Bengal Railway's Gilmore Institute and Traffic Quarters
; and on the left, Olai Chandi Road leading to the elevated Reservoir of Tallah
and Indra Biswas Road leading to Barrackpore Trunk Road. A short distance down
the thoroughfare, on the left, is the newly-constructed road leading to Paikpara.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
The elevated reservoir at Tallah, said to be one of
the largest of its kind in the world, is situated on the Barrackpore Trunk
Road, a short distance from Tallah Bridge. It consists of a steel tank, 110 feet above ground level,
supported on steel columns. The tank is 16 feet deep, with a floor surface of
321 square feet and a capacity of 9 million gallons.
The north-east column was placed in position on the
18th November 1909, by Sir Edward Baker, then Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
and the reservoir, constructed and erected by Messrs. Clayton, Son & Co.
Ltd., of Leeds, England, at a cost of Rs. 23 ½ lakhs, was completed on the 12th
January 1911, and brought into use on the 16th May of the same year. Messrs. A.
Earle and W. McCabe were Chairman and Chief-Engineer respectively of the
Calcutta Corporation during its construction.
The tank is divided into four compartments which
can be used independently of one another, so that. one or more compartments can
at any time be thrown out of work for cleaning or repair purposes without any
interruption to the water supply of the city. The reservoir distributes water
over a distance of 522 miles of watermains through no less than 62,230 house
connections.:
The daily supply of filtered water for the whole
city is estimated at 67,548,000 gallons, or an average of 25 gallons per head
per day. The daily supply of unfiltered water is estimated at 54,323,000
gallons.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with John Barry 1940)
… Upper Chitpur Road the busiest road in Calcutta at that time.
With all the trams and cars and people going by and the din of motor horns and
hawkers. It bemused me how they could work in that cacophony! Until the early
Forties this area also used to be famous for her prostitutes and the singing
and dancing girls. If you passed in the night, you could hear the sound of the
bells on the legs of the dancing girls and
the sound of their singing and instrumental music.
(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Ravi Shankar)
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