Early View of British East India Era Howrah, Calcutta, 1860 Photo

This old 1860 photo shows an early view of a British East India era Howrah in Calcutta. This exceptional photo of Howrah gives a rare glimpse of life in 1860. Some Europeans can be seen standing around, two of them are leaning on a palanquin with the bearers squatting nearby. There are more people on the road some of them wearing Western attire maybe Europeans.

Horse carts are visible on the road. The structures seen on the right side of the road are apparently factory buildings and warehouses owned by the East India Company. On the left is the St Thomas Church with its vast compound. The church was erected by the East India Company in 1830 to serve the many Englishmen of the area.

William Jones designed the church in Gothic style with a seating capacity of 300 people. It later added a school in 1860. The church is now marked as a heritage building. To see it today go to Kolkata Heritage Buildings. Howrah is located on the opposite side of Calcutta with the Hughli River running in between them. Both the cities are linked by the famous Howrah Bridge and the Vivekananda Setu Bridge railway bridge. Click on the image for better view.

Did you know – Howrah is made up of five villages: ‘Salica’ (Salkia), ‘Harirah’ (Howrah), ‘Cassundeah’ (Kasundia), ‘Ramkrishnopoor’ (Ramkrishnapur) and ‘Battar’ (Bator). 

From the collection – Antique Painting of Madras Fort St George., British Women Travel In Bullock Cart, 1900 PC ., New Delhi The New Capital of India, Old Print 1931., Motor Cars In Colonial Era Kolkata’s Cityscape.

The images are of the actual items from my collection. And Not a photocopy, pirated, reproduced, stock photos, or taken from other sources.

 

Photo Details

Year -

1860

Photograph Size -

9¾ x 7 inch

Photographer -

unknown Britisher