British Era Calcutta Tramways Project’s Proposed Route Map 1880
A rare 1880 proposed route map for the new tramway project for Calcutta city during British era. The three lines under the Description read: Proposed Lines of Tramways shewn thus (in red line), Important Public Buildings shewn thus (in black line), Population — 34,551. No date is specified on the map but probably dating to 1880.
There are also no existing tram lines shown excepting the proposed lines in red. Perhaps indicating this map was for the starting of new tramway project for the city of Calcutta. The tramway came into existence in Calcutta in 1883 with horse drawn trams. Horse-drawn trams are shown in the three engravings showing the Great Eastern Hotel, High Court and Government House.
This rare map may have been issued to the board of directors of the Calcutta Tramways Company. It was in 1880 that the Calcutta Tramway Company Limited was formed and registered in London. Route numbers are marked on the map. These are from 1 to 8. Route No. 1 was for “Cornwall & GPO”., Route No.2 was for “Chitppoor Road & GPO”., Route No.3 was “Sealdah & GPO”, and so on.
Please check the map for more route details. The important buildings are marked in black. Steam trams were introduced in the city in 1883 and it plied till 1902. Electric trams were then introduced in 1902 and are still in operation to date. Some railway lines, the Hooghly River and Fort Williams are also marked on the map.
To see a similar map from 1910 go to Calcutta Tramways Company – Route Map 1910.
Did you know – by the end of the century, the Calcutta Tramways Company owned 166 tram cars, 1,000 horses, seven steam locomotives, and 19 miles of track.
Past posts – Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., European Ladies Enjoying Sailing In Purulia, Bengal, 1890 Photo., Tiger Hunt On Elephant back British India – Old Postcard 1905.
