Rare Glimpse of British East India Company Era In Howrah, Calcutta, 1860 Photo
Rare 1860 Photo Captures British East India Company Era at Howrah, Calcutta (Kolkata). A rare early photographic view capturing Howrah’s historic landscape. A few Europeans are seen standing around, with two of them leaning casually on a palanquin while its bearers squat nearby. More people can be spotted along the road, some dressed in Western attire—likely Europeans as well.
Horse carts travel along the road, flanked by significant colonial-era structures. On the right stand factory buildings and warehouses belonging to the British East India Company, reflecting the area’s industrial importance. To the left lies St. Thomas Church, built in 1830 by the East India Company to serve the growing English community in the region. Its expansive compound adds to the historical landscape of the area.
Designed in Gothic style by William Jones, the church originally accommodated 300 worshippers. In 1860, a school was added to the premises. Today, the church is recognized as a designated heritage building. You can explore more about it on the Kolkata Heritage Buildings website. Located on the opposite bank of the Hooghly River from Calcutta (Kolkata), Howrah is connected to the city via two iconic bridges — the Howrah Bridge and the Vivekananda Setu railway bridge. Click photo to enlarge.
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 .
