Shopping

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Introduction

Calcutta as a major city of the British Empire provided shopping opportunities probably unparalleled anywhere in India. From the daily basics to antiques and souvenirs everything could be bought at a price; and from roadside hawkers to municipal markets all the way to imposing pukah department stores (now long gone) there always seemed to be someone trying to sell it to you. For many who were new to the city and India in general, going to the shops was an exciting and often bewildering experience. See how people went to the shops in those days, or did the shops come to them?

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Shopping

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

Shopping in India

Shopping in India. A small storekeeper or trader at a bazaar in most cases will ask you more for his goods than he expects to get. Bargain with him. It is a game. He expects to be beaten down to anywhere from two-thirds to one-third of his asking price. Everyone bargains. It is part of the social life of these people. But they do it politely and in good humor. Larger stores of the American and English type may have fixed prices, plainly marked.

(source: “A Pocket Guide to India” Special Service Division, Army Service Forces, United States Army. War and Navy Departments Washington D.C [early 1940s]: at: http://cbi-theater-2.home.comcast.net/booklet/guide-to-india.html)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

SHOPPING

Hi Rube. Trot out your sense of humor and make way for a few insults: You would not buy the Brooklyn Bridge on a visit to New York. Of course not. For you have no hayseed in your hair. What is that stuff clinging there then? Can it be that you have arrived in India with seaweed in your hair? Could be, since - GI and officer alike - you have certainly gone on one hog-wild spending spree right here in Calcutta.

Hold That Rupee. You are probably buying in such large quantities because you believe that you are getting rare merchandise extremely cheaply. Therefore, you might like to know that you will be able to purchase most of the items back in the states after the war, and probably at lower prices. And especially is Calcutta not the best place for souvenir or gift buying, inasmuch as few of the articles are produced in this region, which means the transportation has added greatly to their cost; furthermore, the large and transient military population has been purchasing in such huge quantities that price tags now come equipped with their own individual skyrockets.

The Right Way - And The Wrong Way. There are two ways to buy in Calcutta (if buy you must); you can buy at FIXED PRICES or you can BARGAIN for merchandise. Certain reliable, well-established stores in the city have a fixed-price scale, which simply means that there is no lookout posted to watch for your arrival. In all the other stores and in the markets or bazars a deliberately high price is quoted you for an article, and it is then up to you to argue the price down to somewhere within reason - without in the process losing your reason. You seldom win. If you leave any shop in India confident that you out-smarted the salesman, then be sure of this: YOU DIDN'T! You can profit by the experience (paid for) of other American soldiers. Buy sound products in reliable stores at fixed prices.

(source: “The Calcutta Key” Services of Supply Base Section Two Division, Information and education Branch, United States Army Forces in India - Burma, 1945: at: http://cbi-theater-12.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-12/calcuttakey/calcutta_key.html)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

WHERE TO GET IT

[…]

All of the stores listed above were picked because they sell at fixed prices, carry sound merchandise, and have reputations of reliability. We do not attempt to state that stores not listed are not reliable; in many cases selections were made for shopping convenience. Now and then you may buy something cheaper elsewhere, since reliability is always added overhead to the merchant who stocks it. For aid in easy shopping you might note that there are two central shopping districts in-bounds to you; One group of stores centers on or near Old Court House Street with the Great Eastern Hotel as a reference point; the other group centers on or near lower Chowringhee Road with the Grand Hotel as a reference point. Good Hunting! And don't buy any wooden Indians.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Addresses of Department Stores & Retail Establishments in 1940

Army & Navy Stores, Ltd. Departmental Store—41 Chowringhee Road. Phone. P.K. 1313.

Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co., Ltd. General Departmental Store— 7 Chowringhee Road. Phone, Cal. 5204.

Manton & Co. Gun, Rifle and Revolver Manufacturers and General Sports Goods Dealers—13 Old Court House Street. Phone, Cal. 1903.

Anglo-Swiss Watch Co. Watchmakers, Jewellers, Silversmiths— 6 &. 7 Dalhousie Square East. Phone, Cal. 2246.

Bevan, T. E., & Co., Ltd. Dealers in sheet music and musical Instruments—21 Old Court House Street. Phone, Cal. 303.

Bourne & Shepherd. Artists and Photographer—141 Corporation Street. Phone, Cal. 658.

Mackenzie, Lyall & Co. Estate Agents, Wine Merchants and Auctioneers ; Proprietors of "The Calcutta Exchange Gazette"— 5 Mission Row. Phone, Cal. 5034.

Oxford Book & Stationery Co. Booksellers and Lending Librarians —17 Park Street. Phone, Cal. 1613.

Staynor & Co. Auctioneers and Furniture Makers—40/1 Free School Street. Phone, Cal. 4998.

Talbot & Co. Surveyors, Valuers, Land and Estate Agents—Tower House, Chowringhee Square, Phone, Cal. 1617.

Thacker Spink & Co. (1933) Ltd. Booksellers, Publishers, Stationers and Printers—3 Esplanade East- Phone, Cal. 176.

Hamilton & Co., Ltd. Jewellers—8 Old Court House Street. Phone, Cal, 471.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 227-236 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)

THAT MINOR SPORT - BARGAINING

The Minor Sport. In partial contradiction of foregoing advice, and advocated as a part of your adventures in India, don't neglect to try bargaining (in a small way) as the accepted minor sport east of Suez. But in doing so, avoid street peddlers and side-street stalls and instead, visit the New Market where you will find a real interest in the bazar itself as well as get a kick out of horse trading with the salesman over their great variety of wares.

A Running Start. The salesman you will meet in that stall in the New Market has been making his livelihood at bargaining for a number of years; so maybe you won't mind accepting a little advice to take along with you to in part combat his years of experience. For instance, never display anger. The Indian regards that as a sign of bad sportsmanship and is inwardly contemptuous. Anger to him is as bad as lying or stealing is to you. And so if you do not want to spend time in bargaining, merely name a price that you are willing to pay and then walk off if it is not accepted. If the salesman follows you out of the stall, then you may be fairly sure that he will sell the article at your price. On the other hand, if you are in a mood for bargaining you can start off by naming a price as ridiculously low as the salesman's was outrageously high; then the two of you can have fun working the figure up and down until it reaches a level that won't stick you too badly. Don't expect to be too successful. The best you will get out of it is that the merchant will let you have his way.

Some Left Jabs. In self defense demand cash receipts every time you make a purchase in the New Market. Asking for a cash memo sometimes serves to make the dealer lower the price immediately. If not, and if you have been too badly cheated, the receipt will come in handy to identify the transaction when you are making your complaint to the Market Inspector whose office is at the rear of the Market. There is an ordinance that controls certain articles at fixed-price levels; but extremely few souvenir or gift items come under this heading, and so it offers you little protection. If you do chance to buy one of the staples of life, however, those which are price-controlled, then you can demand to see the control price list and compare the asking price of the salesman with the listed one. Remember that in the New Market you must bargain. The dealer expects you to do so. Although of late he has found so many gullible American soldiers that he is tending more and more to ask high prices and to stick to them, not bothering to play his game of bargaining since he feels sure to sell to the next sucker. YOU.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

SHOPPING HINTS FOR ANY STORE

Ivory. Watch your step. Frequently it is only treated bone that will shatter or split. Real ivory has a definite grain and mellows with old age. Even experts can be fooled on it, however. Crumbled bits of bone are reaching Seventh Heaven every day instead of the alleged ivory that you sent on the way. Your girl will not be amused. Need your wife's reaction be mentioned?

Jewels. Synthetic stones are a racket everywhere. Double that and you've got the situation here. As for any real diamonds that are sold to you, a good part of them are being imported right from the States purposely to be sold to you over here. Figure out for yourself where you could buy them cheaper.

Avoid. Gold and gold ornaments are not a good buy in the present market. Rugs - stay away from them unless you're sure you know your stuff.

Textiles. Your number one buy in the Calcutta area. They're made in this vicinity, for one thing. Buy sarees, for instance. Sarees are the Indian woman's outer garment, a strip of cotton or silk some 54 inches wide and 6 to 8 yards long. Your girl can make them into dresses, coats or hangings. Or buy linens, lingerie, brocades - look over the shop's complete textile line for something that appeals to you.

Silver. Silver ornaments are a good buy. The designs are hard to duplicate at home, unless you happen to live down near the Mexican border. The engraving work here is especially good. If you buy silverware, watch the finish - Indian Silversmiths are apt to leave the job not quite done.

Try. Brassware is attractive and safe - if you don't mind being handed the job of polishing it when you are once more back home. Leather is not cheap - far from it in Calcutta - but some of the work is interesting in design. Teakwood items are welcome back in the States. Get the deeper carved boxes, etc. The shallow carving is a mark of a cheap veneer job.

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta_____________________

Mending Grammophones

Ann took the Red Cross gramophones to get them mended in Calcutta, flying with it from the local grass airstrip in a Dakota aircraft. It was easier to go to Calcutta by air and no cost as it had come forward full of supplies for the troops in the area and going back empty. People had to return to us from Calcutta by boat & train. On the boat she had become friendly with one of the officers (David Calcutt) also posted to Camilla and she brought him along to be introduced. I was very friendly with Ann and naturally saw quite a lot of David too.

Kitty Calcutt, Nurse, Comilla to Calcutta, mid 1940s

(source: A1307026 Wartime Memories of a Nurse at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Running on Rum

There were five personnel in the tank crew. The tank commander, driver, co-driver, gunner, and wireless operator. Each member of crew had to be qualified in two disciplines. Most of that training was done at Secundrabad State in southern India. We then made our way by road and rail up through India to Assam and on into Burma. The conflict in the northern part of Burma was continuing, although by that time the 14th Army more or less had the upper hand. Our objective was the airfields at Rangoon about 300 miles south. We formed part of an independent armoured brigade pushing south on the west side of the Irrawaddy River. En route to where we were going to start our engagement we spent a Hogmanay. By this time our soft vehicles were a bit waur-o-the-wear so drivers went to Calcutta to pick up replacement vehicles. We gave them considerable amounts of money to purchase ‘hooch’. They brought back copious amounts of spirit liquor, mostly rum. For 48 hours those of us who drank were stoned out of our minds. Fortunately, we were in a fairly safe haven at the time. By the third day we were so physically sick of the sight of rum we decanted the rest into the fuel tanks of our jeeps — the vehicles never ran so sweetly!

Allan Grieve, Army, on the west side of the Irrawaddy River, 1944

(source: A4304323 Royal Armoured Corps tank workforce in Burma at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

to Calcutta on a 'grog run'

Apart from our 'Goose Loss' the move went well. Moreover, the Squadron's Harvard aircraft was now fully employed carrying the Boys (one or two at a time) to Calcutta on a 'grog run', each run bringing back crates of Indian Gin and Rum and whatever Mixers ( Lime Juice etc ) that could be carried.

Within days, the Sgt's Mess basha was transformed into the 'Old Nogg Inn' and kept well stocked up by the Harvard. We also acquired a white Hen named Oscar as a Mascot who stood at the Bar drinking our Gin until he 'fell asleep' and was put down to bed on the floor. My Norton was going well on 100 octane.

John Vickers, Royal Air Force, Tulihal & Calcutta, 1944

(source: A2168354 Hirohito My part in his Downfall at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Return from a ‘grog run’

On Feb 12th I did a Grog Run to Calcutta, spending two days buying grog and a record of Deanna Durbin singing 'The lights of Home'. Strange, I thought as I landed back at Sinthe on Feb 15th No sign of anyone. No Lads at Dispersal or Boys watching and praying that I would not prang the Harvard.

I climbed out of the aircraft to be told that, during the night of Feb 13th a lone Jap aircraft had bombed the campsite, killing 11 of our Lads and wounded another 30. I was devastated. So was the rest of the Squadron. Obviously, it would take some time to get things back to normal.

John Vickers, Royal Air Force, Tulihal & Calcutta, 1945

(source: A2168354 Hirohito My part in his Downfall at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

I was told to buy as many cigarettes as I could

I was ordered to report to HQ. I was told to pack my kit, and just take my small pack. I was given large amount of money, and two men. I was to travel to Calcutta three days ahead of the Battery. I was told to locate the Imperial Tobacco Company and buy as many cigarettes as I could with the money, then get them to a small railway Station on the outskirts of Calcutta, to join up with the Unit as they came through,

This was a hell of a responsibility for three rookies, Calcutta is a very big place with a very large population of about seven million, and because of the advancing Japanese Forces towards Eastern Bengal there was a kind of exodus from the eastern Towns.

[…]

We found The Imperial Tobacco Company the next day, ordered the Fags and had them packed in a large wooden box about at least a cubic metre in size. Because we were on an unofficial errand we couldn’t get the box transported officially, we had to make our own way to the meeting place, {I can’t remember the name of it}. We used all sorts of transport; horse drawn carriage, rickshaws, even carts drawn by two water buffaloes.

[…]

Eventually we got to the place where we were supposed to meet the Troop train, only to find out that it wasn’t coming through until the following day, so we were stuck there for the night with our huge box of cigarettes. Not daring to leave it out of our sight for a second, because the Natives were reputed to be able steal something from right under one’s nose, I had to find somewhere for us to be able to sleep in turns for the night. So I commandeered a railway goods van for the night.

I had to use a lot of unauthorized authority to get it. The train arrived the following morning and we proudly carried our big box of fags over to the part of the train were we could see the boys from our unit waving to us, only to be redirected by our troop officer to take them to the officers carriage, and that was the last we saw of the box of Fags.

We had to content ourselves with the army supply, they were called V’s, and I can swear to you that if there ever were any cigarettes made with Camel or Horse shit it was V’ s.

Stan Martin, soldier, Calcutta, early 1942-3

(source: A1982955 Stan Martin's WW2 story at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(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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The Markets

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

Calcutta's New Market

Probably the largest market in the East is the New Market. Covering several blocks in the downtown area, the 2,000 stalls offer most anything you could ask for, wartime shortages excepted. In addition to all the items appealing to the local and tourist trade, the market contains giant food departments.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

(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)

G.I.s shopping

A couple of GI's consider the purchase of trinkets for the girl friend, harassed by the ever-present plea for "Baksheesh, Sahib", "You American Rajah", "No food, no money, no poppa".

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Stall in New Market

Brassware and Gurkha knives are two of the most popular souvenir purchases made by soldiers. Bargaining is the rule and only the sucker pays the fist price asked. The New Market is alive with stalls like this.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Newmarket

Richard Beard, US Army Lieutenant Psychologist with 142 US military hospital. Calcutta,

(Source: Elaine Pinkerton / Reproduced by courtesy of Elaine Pinkerton)

Merchant and child in Calcutta's New Market

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Merchant and child, B023, Merchant and child in Calcutta's New Market 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Christmastime decorations for sale in Calcutta's New Market

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Christmas decorations, B006, "Christmastime decorations for sale inCalcutta's New Market, December." 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Christmastime decorations for sale in New Market

b007_large

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Christmas decorations, B007, "Christmastime decorations for sale in New Market, December." 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

More activity in the New Market at Christmastime

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: New Market, B014, More activity in the New Market at Christmastime 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

splendid system of municipal markets

In its splendid system of municipal markets, also, Calcutta has an outstanding claim on the attention of the student of civic affairs. Every district has a market, and every market is more or less a distinct reflection of the unique Sir Stuart Hogg Market, a market which is not only a centre for the sale of local produce, or even the produce of the whole country, but one for which almost the whole world is indented upon for fruits, manufactured goods and a wide variety of miscellaneous commodities.

Surely there is no such market in the world where. In an hour'a shopping, one can buy fruits from Persia, "Iraq and Afghanistan, yes, and from California, Tasmania and Spain, too,—from wherever fruits are grown; buy textiles from Lancashire and Yorkshire ; footwear from Northampton; tugs from Bokhara; alumimumware from America; silks and curios from China and Japan; tobacco from Virginia, Cuba and Egypt; jams and tinned fruits from Australia and New Zealand, potted delicacies from Europe; hardware and cutlery, toilet requisites and stationery, ebony and ivorywork, in fact, almost anything from anywhere.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source page 3 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)

SIR STUART HOGG MARKET

New Market

The original and main block of this market, named after Sir Stuart Hogg, Justice of the Peace, was completed in 1874 at a cost of Rs. 6,55,277/- inclusive of the land. The extension on the east was completed in 1909, during the Chairmanship of Sir Charles G. H. Alien, at a total cost of Rs. 11,53,388/-. This spacious red brick building, with its handsome clock tower, houses a multitude of shops and is owned by the Corporation of Calcutta.

The New Market in Calcutta is said to be the only one of its kind in the world. It is not only a centre for the sale of Indian produce, but is international in the variety of goods it displays. Manufactured articles, fruits and a wide range of miscellaneous commodities, from all quarters and odd corners of the globe, testify to the uniqueness of this market. Practically everything, as the saying goes, " from a pin to an anchor", is available here. To take the case of fresh fruits: owing to Calcutta's favourable geographical position, and the varying incidence of the seasons in the different countries from. which Calcutta draws supplies, fresh fruits grown in widely different climates, thousands of miles away, are readily available in this market throughout the year.

The New Market is situated in the very heart of the city. Entering Lindsay Street from Chowringhee Road and proceeding, we come in sight of the Market. Immediately on the left, at the junction of Bertram Street and Lindsay Street, is a covered stand where cycles are kept in charge of an attendant, on payment of a small fee. In the centre of the roadway, along the market frontage, are parked private cars and engaged taxis; across the roadway at the entrance to Madge Lane, by the side of the Globe Cinema, is a stand for taxi-cabs; while hackney carriages are lined on the east in Fenwick Bazar Street, and rickshaws on the north in Hogg Street.

Just before entering the Market by the main entrance under the porch, we note shops on both sides dealing in carpets, silks, silverware, jewellery, curios, etc., leading to the tobacconists on the left and to the florists on the right. Entering the main corridor and turning left, we pass toilet requisite and stationery shops, and come to the bookstalls ; passing these and turning right, we see more toilet requisite and stationery shops, then the china and glassware shops. The second range from the main corridor, also containing toilet requisite and stationery shops, brings us to the watchmakers and jewellers, and turning right we pass more toilet requisite and stationery shops and then the hardware and aluminium stalls.

Returning to the main corridor, we note on the right two ranges of shops corresponding to those on the left. Going through the first, we pass a number of miscellaneous shops, dealing chiefly in fancy goods, linoleum, oilcloth, toilet requisites and novelties ; and passing on the left a range of shops dealing in coloured silks, curios and a wide range of assorted goods, we come to the shoe shops and florists, and then to dealers in sporting goods. In the second range, known as "Suit Case Range", are dealers in leather and steel trunks, suit-cases and travelling requisites, while a turn to the left brings us to more miscellaneous shops, after which come the confectioners.

Back to the main corridor and proceeding along, we note attractively arranged shops dealing in jewellery, silver and electroplated ware, fancy goods, coloured silks and fine dress materials ; and passing the Market Office, the Public Telephone Call Office, and a line of hosiery and haberdashery shops, we reach the centre of the market. This is octagonal in shape, the supporting pillars being enclosed in display advertisement cases. Here are weighing machines, a central glass kiosk and the Market Fire Station. Turning down the corridor on the left, which leads to Bertram Street, we pass shops dealing in readymade dresses and underwear, the Ladies' Cloak Room and the Gentlemen's Lavatory. At the end of the corridor, on the right, are two ranges, one devoted to fresh and dried fruits and the other to shoes, hosiery and haberdashery.

Returning to the centre of the Market and turning right, we pass shops dealing in drapery, readymade clothes and bedding, and turning left, we gain the ranges given over to cheese, butter, ghee, chutnies, condiments, preserves, and cubicles for light refreshments. A doorway on the left gives access to the Milk Block, while right at the. end are the bakers.

Finding our way once more to the centre of the Market, and proceeding along the main corridor, we pass more hosiery, drapery and haberdashery shops, and reach the last corridor running east and west. On the west are toys and games, with a passage on the right leading to the ribbons and laces ; while on the east are the hatters, with a passage on the left giving access to the Chinese shoemakers.

Along the remaining portion of the main corridor we pass cloth merchants, and come to the range occupied by dealers in dress materials and household linen. Continuing our way along, we pass a number of shops and stalls of miscellaneous goods, such as haberdashery, toys, crockery, hosiery, lace, ribbons, etc., etc., and enter the block known as the "German Market" ; the western half of this is devoted to the sale of fresh fruits, with an exit on Bertram Street, and the eastern half to haberdashery, toys, shoes, hosiery, etc., with an exit on Hogg Street.

To the east of the main Market, and separated from it by a passage running north to south, is a block given over to mutton, suet, dripping and beef. Farther east and running parallel to it, is a similar block devoted to eggs, greengrocery and local fruits, such as plantains, papayas, pomelos, pineapples and the like. The passage to the east of this block is lined with shops dealing in oilman stores, spices and condiments.

Leaving this passage by any of the gates on the east, we gain Fenwick Bazar Street, the western side of which is lined with shops dealing in oilman stores, bamboo and caneware. On the eastern side is the Potato Block, with a doorway at the rear giving access to the Fish Market. To the south of the Potato Block, and separated from it by a roadway running from Fenwick Bazar Street to Free School Street, is the Poultry Block and dealers in birds, animals and pork.

At the north-east corner of the Market, across Hogg Street and within easy reach of the bakers, greengrocers and Meat Blocks, is a large block temporarily given over to fresh fruits, greengrocery, spices and condiments.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 141-146 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)

NEW MARKET

NEW MARKET : Probably the largest market in the East and one where anything under the sun can be purchased, from a baby bear to a pair of shoe laces. Situated on Lindsay Street, it comprises over 2,000 stalls with goods from nearly every country in the world. The remarkable feature of the New Market is that all the stalls, stores and shops are grouped in sections, each section selling only one particular line of goods, which makes it unnecessary for a person to wander aimlessly from one end of the market to the other seeking a particular article.

(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)

Value of Articles from 1 Seer to 1 Maund at -/8/- to Rs. 40 per Maund.

Sr.	At As.-/8/-	At As. -/12/-	At Rs. l/-	At Rs. 1/4/-	At Rs. 1/8/-	At Rs. 2/-	At Rs. 2/8/-	At Rs.3/-	At Rs. 3/8/-	At Rs.4/-
	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.
1	0 0 2	0 0 3	0 0 4	0 0 5	0 0 6	0 0 9	0 0 11	0 1 2	0 1 4	0 1 7
2	0 0 5	0 0 7	0 0 9	0 1 0	0 1 2	0 1 7	0 2 0	0 2 4	0 2 9	0 3 2
3	0 0 7	0 0 11	0 1 2	0 1 6	0 1 9	0 2 4	0 2 11	0 3 7	0 4 2	0 4 9
4	0 0 10	0 1 3	0 1 7	0 2 1	0 2 5	0 3 2	0 4 0	0 4 9	0 5 7	0 6 4
5	0 1 0	0 1 6	0 2 0	0 2 6	0 3 0	0 4 0	0 5 0	0 6 0	0 7 0	0 8 0
6	0 1 2	0 1 9	0 2 4	0 2 11	0 3 6	0 4 9	0 5 11	0 7 2	0 8 4	0 9 7
7	0 1 5	0 2 1	0 2 9	0 3 6	0 4 2	0 5 7	0 7 0	0 8 4	0 9 9	0 11 2
8	0 1 7	0 2 5	0 3 2	0 4 0	0 4 9	0 6 4	0 7 11	0 9 7	0 11 2	0 12 9
9	0 1 10	0 2 9	0 3 7	0 4 7	0 5 5	0 7 2	0 9 0	0 10 9	0 12 7	0 14 4
10	0 2 0	0 3 0	0 4 0	0 5 0	0 6 0	0 8 0	0 10 0	0 12 0	0 14 0	1 0 0
11	0 2 2	0 3 3	0 4 4	0 5 5	0 6 6	0 8 9	0 10 11	0 13 2	0 15 4	1 1 7
12	0 2 5	0 3 7	0 4 9	0 6 0	0 7 2	0 9 7	0 12 0	0 14 4	1 0 9	1 3 2
13	0 2 7	0 3 11	0 5 2	0 6 6	0 7 9	0 10 4	0 12 11	0 15 7	1 2 2	1 4 9
14	0 2 10	0 4 3	0 5 7	0 7 1	0 8 5	0 11 2	0 14 0	1 0 9	1 3 7	1 6 4
15	0 3 0	0 4 6	0 6 0	0 7 6	0 9 0	0 12 0	0 15 0	1 2 0	1 5 0	1 8 0
16	0 3 2	0 4 9	0 6 4	0 7 11	0 9 6	0 12 9	0 15 11	1 3 2	1 6 4	1 9 7
17	0 3 5	0 5 1	0 6 9	0 8 6	0 10 2	0 13 7	1 1 0	1 4 4	1 7 9	1 11 2
18	0 3 7	0 5 5	0 7 3	0 9 0	0 10 9	0 14 4	1 1 11	1 5 7	1 9 2	1 12 9
19	0 3 10	0 5 9	0 7 7	0 9 7	0 11 5	0 15 2	1 3 0	1 6 9	1 10 7	1 14 4
20	0 4 0	0 6 0	0 8 0	0 10 0	0 12 0	1 0 0	1 4 0	1 8 0	1 12 0	2 0 0
25	0 5 0	0 7 6	0 10 0	0 12 6	0 15 0	1 4 0	1 9 0	1 14 0	2 3 0	2 8 0
30	0 6 0	0 9 0	0 12 0	0 15 0	1 2 0	1 8 0	1 14 0	2 4 0	2 10 0	3 0 0
35	0 7 0	0 10 6	0 14 0	1 1 6	1 5 0	1 12 0	2 3 0	2 10 0	3 1 0	3 8 0
40	0 8 0	0 12 0	1 0 0	1 4 0	1 8 0	2 0 0	2 8 0	3 0 0	3 8 0	4 0 0

Value of Articles from 1 Seer to 1 Maund at -/8/- to Rs. 40 per Maund.

Sr.	At. Rs. 5/-	At Rs 6/-	At Rs 7/-	At Rs. 8/-	At Rs. 9/-	At. Rs. 10/-	At Rs. 15/-	At Rs. 20/-	At Rs. 30/-	At Rs. 40/-
	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p..	R. a. p
1	0 2 0	0 2 4	0 2 9	0 3 2	0 3 7	0 4 0	0 6 0	0 8 0	0 12 0	1 0 0
2	0 4 0	0 4 9	0 5 7	0 6 4	0 7 2	0 8 0	0 12 0	1 0 0	1 8 0	2 0 0
3	0 6 0	0 7 2	0 8 4	0 9 7	0 10 9	0 12 0	1 2 0	1 8 0	2 4 0	3 0 0
4	0 8 0	0 9 7	0 11 2	0 12 9	0 14 4	1 0 0	1 8 0	2 0 0	3 0 0	4 0 0
5	0 10 0	0 12 0	0 14 0	1 0 0	1 2 0	1 4 0	1 14 0	2 8 0	3 12 0	5 0 0
6	0 12 0	0 14 4	1 0 9	1 3 2	1 5 7	1 8 0	2 4 0	3 0 0	4 8 0	6 0 0
7	0 14 0	1 0 9	1 3 7	1 6 4	1 9 2	1 12 0	2 10. 0	3 8 0	5 4 0	7 0 0
8	1 0 0	1 3 2	1 6 4	1 9 7	1 12 9	2 0 0	3 0 0	4 0 0	6 0 0	8 0 0
9	1 2 0	1 5 7	1 9 2	1 12 9	2 0 4	2 4 0	360	480	6 12 0	9 0 0
10	1 4 0	1 8 0	1 12 0	2 0 0	2 4 0	2 8 0	3 12 0	5 0 0	7 8 0	10 0 0
11	1 6 0	1 10 4	1 14 9	2 3 2	2 7 7	2 12 0	4 2 0	5 8 0	8 4 0	11 0 0
12	1 8 0	1 12 9	2 1 7	2 6 4	2 11 2	3 0 0	4 8 0	6 0 0	9 0 0	12 0 0
13	1 10 0	1 15 2	2 4 4	2 9 7	2 14 9	3 4 0	4 14 0	6 8 0	9 12 0	13 0 0
14	1 12 0	2 1 7	2 7 2	2 12 9	3 2 4	3 8 0	5 4 0	7 0 0	10 8 0	14 0 0
15	1 14 0	2 4 0	2 10 0	3 0 0	3 6 0	3 12 0	5 10 0	7 8 0	11 4 0	15 0 0
16	2 0 0	2 6 4	2 12 9	3 3 2	3 9 7	4 0 0	6 0 0	8 0 0	12 0 0	16 0 0
17	2 2 0	2 8 9	2 15 7	3 6 4	3 13 2	4 4 0	6 6 0	8 8 0	12 12 0	17 0 0
18	2 4 0	2 11 2	3 2 4	3 9 7	4 0 9	4 8 0	6 12 0	9 0 0	13 8 0	18 0 0
19	2 6 0	2 13 7	3 5 2	3 12 9	4 4 4	4 12 0	7 2 0	9 8 0	14 4 0	19 0 0
20	2 8 0	3 0 0	3 8 0	4 0 0	4 8 0	5 0 0	7 8 0	10 0 0	15 0 0	20 0 0
25	3 2 0	3 12 0	4 6 0	5 0 0	5 10 0	6 4 0	9 6 0	12 8 0	18 12 0	25 0 0
30	3 12 0	4 8 0	5 4 0	6 0 0	6 12 0	7 8 0	11 4 0	15 0 0	22 8 0	30 0 0
35	4 6 0	5 4 0	6 2 0	7 0 0	7 14 0	8 12 0	13 2 0	17 8 0	26 4 0	35 0 0
40	5 0 0	6 0 0	7 0 0	8 0 0	9 0 0	10 0 0	15 0 0	20 0 0	30 0 0	40 0 0

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 141-146 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___________________

We had heard about it so were anxious to go there first.

My first rickshaw ride was from the Red Cross to the New Market. We had heard about it so were anxious to go there first. […]

I understand there was a disasterous fire at the New Market some time ago, but that it is now back in full operation. I'm glad, for Calcutta just wouldn't be Calcutta without the New Market. In fact, right in front of me as I write are two nicely carved, sandalwood images, one of Kali and the other of, I think, Krishna, both mementos of the New Market. They are on a shelf just above my eye level right now, great reminders of a city that tended to grow on those of us who were fortunate enough to get to know it quite personally.

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

(source: a series of E-Mail interviews with Glenn Hensley between 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley)

Everything a person could ever need was available there

[…] the New Market. It seems everything a person could ever need was available there.

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

(source: a series of E-Mail interviews with Glenn Hensley between 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley)

Dressed as civilians we bargained

We were now free to buy things that we would want when we got back to England. Cutlery was easy to pack. Towels were also a good buy, also rugs. Dressed as civilians we bargained for these sitting on the floor of the market shops. David was very good at Urdu, the universally understood local language, as he had passed an army exam in it when he first arrived in India. This is why we got a lot of what we bought to take home at a very reasonable price. The shop owners thought we were civilians.

Kitty Calcutt, Nurse, Kalimpong Calcutta, October 1945

(source: A1307026 Wartime Memories of a Nurse at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(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 of course is nothing to do with pigs

Just off this street was a large covered market where there were stalls which sold practically everything — except motor cars and ships — and this place is called Hogg's Market. This of course is nothing to do with pigs, although some of the smells reminded Daddy of these animals. After looking round nearly all the stalls Daddy noticed the prices of the things were a good deal higher than in Bombay, but the boxes were cheaper, and after looking at quite a number he bought one, and while he waited an Indian printed on the lid his number, rank, name and also R.A.F.

Leonard Charles Irvine, 4393843, Royal Air Force Flt Sgt Nav, Calcutta, 1945

(source: Leonard Charles Irvine "A LETTER TO MY SON" at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(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 fish

I remember an incident, dada was never interested in going to the bazaar but ma one day gave him ten rupees and he was bound to go. Dada with his disgust brought a big Katla mach. Ma asked "kire ekta mach anli du bela ki khabo" Dada was very angry and said "du bela mach khabe to khao na hole amake diye ar kono din bazaar karabe na ".

Tarun Kumar, actor. Calcutta, late 1940s

(source:http://uttamkumar.com)

Entally

I was born and lived the 20 years of my life before leaving India, in Entally, a small area east of Lower Circular Road best known for its Loreto Convent and for its market of the same name where a sausage of legendary taste was produced.

Mike Devery, schoolboy. Calcutta, 1940s

(source: Internet communications September 2004)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Mike Devery)

Daddy and the box

Daddy was then faced with the problem of getting this big box back to the camp, so he called a coolie who carried it outside and then went off to find a rickshaw. In due course back he came with one, and Daddy told the rickshaw puller where to go and then settled down quietly in his seat with the big box on his knees. Now, it was almost three miles back to the camp, and as it was dark the heat of the day had nearly all gone, and it was very pleasant going along slowly and sometimes fairly quickly when the rickshaw puller had enough breath. It was also very quiet except for the traffic, because the wheels of the rickshaw had rubber on them like Gillian's pram wheels. After floating along for about an hour it was apparent that the puller did'nt know where he was — and still less where Daddy's camp was — Here was a pretty kettle of fish because there were not many people about, and it was dark, and quite a strange place to your Daddy, and moreover he could'nt speak very much Urdu or Hindustani — which are the languages of the Indians — or, at least most of them. However Daddy knew from the general direction in which he had come that he could'nt be a long way from the camp, so off the rickshaw puller went making a circular tour round the neighbourhood. After about another hour we were fortunate to meet an Indian who could speak English, and who knew where the camp was, so it was'nt long before we were back. By this time the poor rickshaw puller was quite tired, and although it was his fault as he should have, known where to go, Daddy was sorry for him, so instead of giving him eight annas for the fare Daddy gave him a rupee — so then we both felt a good deal better — When Daddy had carried the big box back to his hut he unpacked his kitbag and packs, and put all the things and the bags in the box, and they just filled it to the top. Whenever Daddy had to travel about India after that he only had one thing to look after, and that was the box, which had a padlock on it so that no one could open it except Daddy. This box would also come in very useful when Daddy had to come home and he could put plenty of presents and other things in it then for Mummy, David, Gillian and number twenty two Kedale Road. Just now though, the box was very heavy indeed, and Daddy did'nt envy the coolies who would have to carry it on their heads!

Leonard Charles Irvine, 4393843, Royal Air Force Flt Sgt Nav, Calcutta, 1945

(source: Leonard Charles Irvine "A LETTER TO MY SON" at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(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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Bazaars

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

Calcutta business scene on a street northwest of Dalhousie Square

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Calcutta business scene, B025, " Calcutta business scene on a street northwest of Dalhousie Square, 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Phonographs offered for sale in Calcutta

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Phonograph for sale, B016, Phonographs offered for sale in 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Noel Hepp, U. S. serviceman from Troy, New York, negotiates a price on an ice cream freezer from a young vendor in a stall along a Calcutta street

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Ice cream freezer, B024, "Noel Hepp, U. S. serviceman from Troy, New York, negotiates a price on an ice cream freezer from a young vendor in a stall along a Calcutta street" 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Calcutta's poor

Calcutta's poor from a line to buy kerosene at 6 a.m. Each little cubicle may contain a shop and living quarters for a family ranging possibly from 6 to 12. Sanitary facilities consist of an open street drain.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Coconut market

This coconut market on Cornwallis Street is a sample of the haphazard way in which many bazaars are operated. The popular pauses for refreshment is indulged by Indian in central foreground drinking cocoanut milk.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

If you visited one of the bazaars …

“If you visited one of the bazaars the first thing that hit you was the smell: a mixture of chili, turmeric, ginger, clove, hot frying fat, incense and a thousand sweaty bodies. It took a long time to get used to their trading methods. We learned it the hard way. It was a battle between the ruthless sahib and conniving stall-holder………”

“A friend bought himself a genuine English briar pipe. He was a keen smoker and had lost old faithful on the voyage out. He was delighted to get a replacement. He filled the bowl with tobacco and lit it when we were sitting in a cinema. Within minutes the pipe suddenly burst into flames and shot up in front of his face.”

“At the other end of the scale away from the shoddy and the fraudulent was the exquisite work of craftsmen: carved ivory, intricate filligree work and beaten copper utensils.”

“Wherever we went in India we had to listen to the song of India. Listen and dodge. This was the noise of somebody who had been chewing betel nut getting rid of a mouthful of the remains.”

Harold P. Lees, RAF, Calcutta, early 1940s

(source: A2808632 Harold P. Lees war part 3 The sights and sounds of Calcutta at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(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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Department Stores

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

Hall & Anderson Department Store

Richard Beard, US Army Lieutenant Psychologist with 142 US military hospital. Calcutta,

(Source: Elaine Pinkerton / Reproduced by courtesy of Elaine Pinkerton)

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

Whiteaway Laidlaw's

Next comes Whiteaway Laidlaw's large and handsome building with an illuminated clock in the central dome. The top floors, known as Victoria Chambers, are let out in flats, while the whole of the ground and first floors are occupied by the firm's departmental store.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source page 30 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)

Post Exchange

To secure an interesting and a reasonably priced gift or souvenir go to your own Post Exchange store. The PX stocks only reliable merchandise and tries to undersell most competitors by as much as 20%. Furthermore, a large staff of highly trained buyers is hard at work to buy for you directly from the manufacturers in an effort to eliminate all middleman costs. The Army has got rid of these curios shop concessionaires. You are urged to go to the PX for your full money's worth.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Department Stores – European

The stores listed immediately below are department stores much like the ones you know back in the States. Prices are often not the lowest, but the products are reliable; and here as elsewhere you pay something for that reliability. Excellent service - no bargaining. You can cool off and relax inside even if you don't really want to shop.

Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co., Ltd., 7 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.

Army & Navy Stores, Ltd., 41 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.

Hall & Anderson, Ltd., 31 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Department Stores - Indian.

These are department stores that are patronized by the Indians of the middle and upper classes. The values are good here; again, however, you pay something for reliability. Fixed prices - no bargaining. Wide selection of gifts and souvenir items. Your trade is welcome. Indian items, also imports.

Bengal Stores, Ltd., 8A Chowringhee Place, Grand Hotel Buildings, closed Thursday, open 1400-2000 Friday, 1030-2000 all other days.

Kamalalaya Stores, Ltd., 156 Dharamtalla Street, closed Thursday, open 1200-2000 Friday, 0800-2000 all other days.

(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___________________

A normal, US-style department store

Whiteaway & Laidlaw It was what I would call a normal, US-style department store. It carried good merchandise, clothing, shoes, everything you might find in today's department stores. In fact, I still have a python skin purse I bought there and sent home to my wife. It is, except for being a little stiff (like I am), as good as the day I bought it 50 years ago. Prices were quite a bit higher than merhcandise sold for in the New Market, but I felt at home buying in a more familiar type establishment. It had high ceiings, wide aisles and as I remember, a bright, airy look about it. Clerks were Indian and quite helpful to a far-from-home Missouri boy.

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

(source: a series of E-Mail interviews with Glenn Hensley between 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley)

'Right away and paid for'

We were recommended to go to an emporium called Whiteway and Laidlaw, known universally as 'Right away and paid for' because of the necessity of paying in ready cash. Whiteway's had acquired the distinction of being solely for those with small purses and had a large clientele of junior officers such as ourselves. Others in a more senior position used to go down the road about a quarter of a mile away to the Army and Navy Stores.

We went along in a four-wheeled Victoria, a musty-smelling apparatus with a driver who must have been at least ninety, and eventually landed at this rather imposing building. The doors were thrown open by stalwart Pathans in grandiose uniforms and we were directed to a counter where we obtained all the necessities required by the junior officer during his first tour of duty. The assistant was able to tell us that it was not expected of people in our position to buy indigenous articles; it would not look good for us to be seen to have inferior equipment and for this reason only the best would do.

First we had to have a canvas hold-all fitted with two heavy straps with internal flaps. Into this were put sheets and pillows, together with a sort of mattress filled with kapok. This was the bistra, or bedding roll. In addition, we had to have an enamel basin, together with a top cover made of leather with straps running underneath. With these two articles you could travel the length and breadth of India.

Norman Watney, junior colonial officer. Calcutta 1940s

(source: Norman Watney in Charles Allen (ed.): Plain Tales of the Raj. London: André Deutsch /BBC 1975)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Charles Allen)

Sunday Morning Purdah Openings

'They bought up anything and everything, just for the sake of buying, just for the fun of being in a store.' One didn't have to sell; the ladies 'simply picked up objects of every kind, put them on one side and servants carried them away to their motor cars.'

Marjorie Williamson, assistant manageress at Army and Navy Stores. Calcutta 1930s.

(source Pat Barr: The Dust in the Balance. British Women n India 1905-1945. London: Hamish Hamilton 1989)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Pat Barr)

The Army & Navy Store

Yes I certainly do remember the Army & Navy Store on Chowringhee pre-WW2. I used to visit it regularly with my mother and we were all sad when it closed it's doors.

Molly Hamilton, Calcutta. late 1940s

(Source: Several E-mail interviews with Molly Hamilton in 2003. / Reproduced by courtesy of Molly Hamilton)

Whiteways & Laidlaw

Whiteways Laidlaw was "the" store where my mother bought her wedding regalia and all the hats etc., she used to wear. My cousin was married to the Manager and we used to visit them regularly at their home on the top floor which in our modern way of like would be described as the "penthouse".

Molly Hamilton, Calcutta. late 1940s

(Source: Several E-mail interviews with Molly Hamilton in 2003. / Reproduced by courtesy of Molly Hamilton)

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Shops and Craftsmen

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

A Shop in Calcutta

Seymour Balkin, USAAF 40th Bombergroup. Calcutta, 1944

(source: webpage http://40thbombgroup.org/indiapics2.html Monday, 03-Jun-2003 / Reproduced by courtesy of Seymour Balkin)

Craftsman works on pipe near Nakhoda Mosque

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Nakhoda Mosque, B010, Craftsman works on pipe near Nakhoda Mosque 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

G.I.s at camera shop

Signs notwithstanding, you can't buy cameras, binoculars, photo goods or accessories here, but the stock does include anything from a Legion of Merit ribbon to an ivory necklace, brass ashtray, ladies evening bag, shoestrings or napkin rings. Typical shoppers ponder the situation.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

G.I.s at bookstall

Corner bookstalls, specializing in lurid novels, sex treatises, are fascinating spots for British and American soldiers alike. Typical titles, "The Escapades of Erotic Edna", "Kama Sutra, The Hindu Art of Love".

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Shoemaker shop in alley

Down one alley you might see a shop such as this one, packed with shoemakers sewing and cutting or pulling on a hookah such as the one at right. Combined with the shoemaking enterprise is a laundry (dhobie). During monsoon, dhobie must contrive to dry clothes inside, tho hampered by shortage of sheltered spaces.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Tinware Bales in street-side stall just off Dalhousie Square

b008_large

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Tinware bales, B008, "Tinware Bales in street-side stall just off Dalhousie Square, 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Bamboo basket maker, Calcutta

b011_large

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Bamboo basket maker, B011, "Bamboo basket maker, 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Jewelery craftsmen at work in sidewalk stall

b012_large

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Jewelry craftsmen, B012, "Jewelery craftsmen at work in sidewalk stall, 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Craftsman at work in sidewalk stall,

b013_large

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

(source: Glenn S. Hensley: Craftsman, B013, "Craftsman at work in sidewalk stall, Calcutta. I cannot recall, exactly, what he was making, but I think it was small hardware items." 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 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley and under a Creative Commons license)

Bill for Jewelry

StuartScan028

Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart, I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service) District Magistrate 24 Parganas, Calcutta,6^th December 1946

(source: personal scrapbook kept by Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart O.B.E., I.C.S. seen on 20-Dec-2005 / Reproduced by courtesy of Mrs. Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart)

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

Souvenir Stores - Indian.

Indian Textiles Co., Great Eastern Hotel Arcade, 0900-1830 weekdays, 0900-1430 Saturdays.

For soldiers with a well-lined wallet. Prices definitely not low. Beautiful textile line, unusual old jewelry pieces and old paintings, other Indian items of high quality. Fixed prices - no bargaining.

The Good Companions, 13C Russell St., 0900-1300 & 1500-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday. An outlet store for Indian Missions. Moderate prices. Fine lingerie and linens. Other gift items. Fixed prices - no bargaining. Profits go to good causes.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Shopping for souvenirs

October 12, 1945

[…]

He asked me to go along with him this afternoon, said that Ann was taking him on a walking tour of the shops. I did not need a walking tour, but I did need a chance to shop, so after some persuasion, I promised to go. We spent the entire afternoon walking down Park Street, through the shops across from Newmarket, New Market itself, and on Chowringhee. I almost bought you an inexpensive star sapphire, but every American has sent one home, so I hated to do that.

One of the dealers talked us into going into an adjoining building to see his warehouse, which turned out to be a room on the second floor of a building. He had inlaid coffee tables of atrocious taste which he assured us he could pack to be sent to the states. There was nothing there I would have put in a chicken coop - except a beautiful vase of simple pattern, but alack and alas, he knew it was his best piece. Rubbing his hands together, Mr. B.R., as he called himself, said, very oily, "Very expensive, very nice Chinese bronze, 40 rupees." So we left.

I did pick up a final Christmas present or two for you and for your friend Barbara, a white formal scarf with gold and silver overlay and a throw scarf for a davenport or grand piano or what have you. The latter is of fine Kashmir weave, wool, and pattern.

Speaking of Kashmir, we saw some stuff in a window, which we liked, I think it must have been some bedspreads. Heaven help me. The cheapest of the lot was 522 rupees, the most expensive 2200. One fine, brown, exquisitely soft woolen spread was 1300 and there was just the cloth, no embroidered, brocaded pattern. Whew! The dealer remarked that is was an unusually long piece, and Peterson retorted that it ought to be at $400, that indeed, one ought to be able to wrap the whole house in it at that price. Ah me!! Have you any idea how much they want for a tiger skin? We priced several today. They begin at 350 rupees for one with the head; without the head, 100 rupees cheaper.

Richard Beard, US Army Lieutenant Psychologist with 142 US military hospital. Calcutta, October 12, 1945.

(Source: p.213 of Elaine Pinkerton (ed.): “From Calcutta With Love: The World War II Letters of Richard and Reva Beard” Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 2002 / Reproduced by courtesy of Texas Tech University Press)

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)

WHERE TO GET IT

[…]

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Dressmaking:

Paris Dress Makers, 7C Lindsay St., opp. the New Market. Uniforms or dresses made or altered. Good service at fair prices to American girls in the services.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Dry Cleaning:

Livewire Cleaners Ltd., 1 Corporation St., 0800-1800 weekdays, 0900-1400 Saturdays. Work guaranteed. 3-day service.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Films & Developing:

Bombay Photo Stores, 34 Park Mans., Park St.

Camera Exchange, 17/2A Chowringhee Road.

Kodak Ltd., 17 Park St.

Popular Pharmacy Ltd., 167 Russa Road, Bhowanipore

Quick Photo Service Co., 157B Dhurrumtolla Street

Thacker, Spink & Co., Ltd., 3 Esplanade East

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Hair Dressing (Barber Shops to You):

You'll find them everywhere. Within the in-bounds area almost any of the hair dressing shops will give you reasonably good service. Take a look inside and judge for yourself according to the appearance of the place, but don't expect to see modern polished fixtures like back home. Any enlisted or officers' club usually have as good or better service.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Jewelry, Watches, Watch Repairing, Silversmiths:

Anglo-Swiss Watch Co., 6 & 7 Dalhousie Square (East) 1000-1730 weekdays, 1000-1300 Saturdays. Average repair of watches 2 wks. Swiss watches for sale.

Cooke & Kelvey, 20 Old Court House Street, 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturdays. Average watch repair 2-3 weeks. Wide selection in all types of silver items. Engraving specialists.

Hamilton & Co., Ltd., 8 Old Court House St., 0900-1300, 1500-1700 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturdays. Two months for watch repair. Expensive gifts of high quality.

Saxby's, Great Eastern Hotel Arcade, 0930-1730 weekdays, 0930-1400 Saturdays. American watches repaired 2-3 weeks. Swiss watches for sale.

West End Watch Co., 16 Old Court House St., Repair only. Service 2-4 weeks. repaired 2-3 weeks. Swiss watches for sale.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Music & Musical Instruments:

T. E. Bevan & Co. Ltd., 21 Old Court House Street, 0900-1730 weekdays, 1000-1300 Saturdays. Excellent stock of recordings, limited supply of sheet music, some musical instruments & repair.

C. C. Saha, Ltd., 170 Dharamtolla St., 1000-1900 weekdays & Sat., 1000-1400 Thurs. Recordings. Repair.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Opticians:

James Murray & Co., Ltd., 5 Old Court House St., 0900-1800 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.
Lawrence & Mayo (India) Ltd., 11 Gov't Place, East, 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1330 Saturday.

Walter Bushnell, Ltd., 21 Old Court House St., 0900-1800 weekdays, 0900-1330 Saturday.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Pharmacists:

Bathgate & Co., 17, 18, 19 Old Court House St. 0900-1800 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday. A thoroughly reputable store. Don't expect to get that ice cream soda here.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Photography:

Bourne & Shepherd, 141 Corporation St., opp. Regal Theatre, open daily except Sundays. World's oldest photographers. Competent work. The prices are definitely not low, but you get your money's worth.

Studio Nash, Ltd., 37/39 Park St., 0900-1800 weekdays, 0900-1400 Saturday.

Thacker, Spink & Co., Ltd., 3 Esplanade, East, 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1400 Saturday.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Pressing & Mending:

Enlisted men are referred to their American Red Cross clubs for free service while you wait. For officers: Any hotel can furnish this service, or you can find it everywhere in little side-street shops.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Radios & Radio Repairs:

C. C. Saha, Ltd., 170 Dharamtolla St., 1000-1400 Thurs., 1000-1900 weekdays and Sat. Will repair most makes of radios in 3-4 days.

Chicago Telephone & Radio Co., Ltd., 25 Chowringhee Rd., 0930-1830 weekdays, 0930-1500 Sat. Repair service by following day when possible. Recordings for sale.

Radio Supply Stores, Ltd., 3 Dalhousie Sq. East, 1030-1830 weekdays, 1030-1530 Sat. Repair all makes if parts available, 7-12 day service. Spare parts sold. Public Speaking equipment.

N. B. Sen, 11 Esplanade East, 1000-1900 weekdays, 1000-1400 Sat. 1 week for repair estimate, an additional several days for the work itself.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Shoemakers:

Morrison & Cottle, Chowringhee Mans., 30C Chowringhee Rd., 0800-1800 weekdays, 0800-1400 Saturday.

Cuthbertson & Harper, 10 Gov't Place, East, 0800-1800 weekdays, 0800-1430 Saturday.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Stationery & Books:

MacMillan & Co., Ltd., 294 Bow Bazar St., 0800-1800 weekdays, 0800-1430 Saturday. Excellent line of books.

Newman, W., & Co., Ltd., 3 Old Court House St., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1330 Saturday. Fairly complete line of stationery items. Fountain pen repair. Late fiction in regular and in cheap editions. Some drafting tools.

Oxford Book & Stationery Co., 17 Park St., 0900-1830 weekdays, 0900-1330 Saturday. Books only - for sale and lending library. Large stock.

Thacker, Spink & Co., Ltd., 3 Esplanade East, 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1400 Saturday. Stationery, printing, pen repair, book.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Showers:

You enlisted men who have hit the city adorned with a bit of India's own, try your American Red Cross Clubs for a free shower, with soap and towel furnished.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Sporting Goods:

Army & Navy Stores, Ltd., 41 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday. Games and sport equipment.

Pioneer Sports, Ltd., 25 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1900 weekdays, 0900-1930 Saturday. Complete line of sporting goods except for tennis and golf balls. All item manufactured by concern itself. (Note: Do not expect Indian-made equipment to match that made back in the States.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Tailors & Haberdashers:

(Note: Try any of the department stores previously listed.)

Bright & McIvor, Grand Hotel Entrance, 0900-1800 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.

Harman & Co., 11 Gov't Place, 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1400 Saturday.

Phelps & Co., Ltd., 21 Old Court House St., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.

Ranken & Co., 4 Old Court House St., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.

Samuel Fitze & Co., Ltd., 26 Chowringhee Rd., 0900-1730 weekdays, 0900-1300 Saturday.

(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___________________

It was a young girl's dream shop

"My favourite shop was Mrs E. Wood, which then stretched from Peter Cat to Flury's. It was a young girl's dream shop - lovely dolls, clothes ... and even a doll's hospital where we took all our dolls for treatment.

Nilima Dutta, Calcutta. 1930-40s

(source: Barry O'Brien: Nostalgic - Park Street by email from "Roger Storey" <yerots@sbcglobal.net Mon, 23 Jun 2003 17:12:02)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Barry O'Brien)

Mr Murray the finest milliner

Then there was an Englishman, Mr Murray, who was one of the finest milliners in the world. His hats were sold at Sybil, a shop located bang opposite Sky Room.

Nilima Dutta, Calcutta. 1930-40s

(source: Barry O'Brien: Nostalgic - Park Street by email from "Roger Storey" <yerots@sbcglobal.net Mon, 23 Jun 2003 17:12:02)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Barry O'Brien)

Phonographs for sale

I don't remember the Calcutta location for this shot, but I don't think it was in the New Market. I first noticed the "morning glory horns" on the units and recognized them as being really antiques. Noel Hepp, now deceased, another member of the 40th Photo Squadron, was with me at the time. I asked him to help with the pix and he did. I have no idea as to prices, in fact, I don't recall even inquiring. I wanted to show "the folks back home" some of the items that were for sale in Calcutta.

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

(source: a series of E-Mail interviews with Glenn Hensley between 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley)

Noel Hepp buys ice cream freezer.

Well, actually, Hepp didn't buy the freezer. I stopped to photograph he and the unit because it was exactly like the freezer in which my mother made many a gallon of home-made ice cream. I remembered my dad crushing ice in a cloth sack with a hammer, then turning the freezer handle for what seemed forever before he pronounced the job done. Such freezers were not readily found in the US by then. They dated from much earlier times, so I wanted to again show folks at home some of the interesting merchandise I saw in Calcutta. Again, I don't remember the exact location. It could have been around the New Market. It seems everything a person could ever need was available there.

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

(source: a series of E-Mail interviews with Glenn Hensley between 12^th June 2001 and 28^th August 2001)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced by permission of Glenn Hensley)

A new Sitar from Kanai Lal

This sitar served me well for a few years, but by 1942 I decided to order a new one from Kanai Lal of Calcutta. Kanai Lal was the eldest of three brothers - the second was Balai and the third was Nitai - who all worked together in a small shop known as Kanai Lal and Brothers, situated on 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.

Kanai Lal was like a legend. No-one could make sitars like him. All the great sitar-players in Eastern India of that day, such as Ustad Enayat Khan and Mushiaq Ali Khan, always played his instruments. I had visited him before and we knew each other, so 1 requested him to make one to my specifications. He and his brothers put their lives into it, and look a long time ensuring it was exactly right. Each of the brothers contributed: Balai was responsible for the woodwork. Nitai carved the design and Kanai Lal fashioned the jawari (the main bridge which produces the special sound of the sitar). Making the jawari is very complex: you have to rub the surface in a certain way, and the strings have to rest on the bridge in a particular angle to get the correct sound, while the buzz of the sympathetic strings has to resonate in the proper manner. There are a multitude of different sitar sounds you can choose from (tinnv sounds, butty sounds, round sounds) but I had developed in my mind (helped by God) what has become my distinctive sound.

It was around March 1944, that the sitar was finally completed and 1 went to Calcutta to fetch it. It was fantastic: the new model with that type of ornamentation, that characteristic sound and that particular modification of the strings - the kharaipancham (the third string, literally the 'lower fifth', tuned to Pa two octaves below the middle Sa) was different, and the bass strings were very low and surbahar-like (as on my other large sitars, but this was the first time such a style had been produced by Kanai Lal, and also the first in Calcutta.) That design became known soon afterwards, as the Ravi Shankar model, and even. today the same name is used. Many other manufacturers have copied its style.

Ravi Shankar, sitar player. Calcutta, March 1944

(source: Ravi Shankar / George Harrison (ed.): “Raga Mala – An Autobiography”, New York: Welcome Rain Publishers, 1999.)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Ravi Shankar)

Small change

Then I went to Comilla where they seemed to have more than their share of vultures. This was more barren, nothing, like Cawnpore. A "Burra Sahib" ran the stores. When you bought goods, you received cardboard money as change. He had crudely stamped the shape and value of coins on cut up boxes that had contained packets of "Woodbine" cigarettes. When chaps were posted, it was always early in the morning and they always had a few annas in cardboard, which were worthless outside the camp. We kicked up a din and a plane was flown to Calcutta to get change. So we were told anyway! The change lasted about a week and then we were back to cardboard. I bet the Burra (big) Sahib made a fortune. Hundreds of chaps must have passed through that camp. The work was just the same as at the other camps.

Albert Augustus Crisp , Royal Air Force, Comilla, 1942-3

(source: A6781584 Walthamstow Wanderer 3 at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

'Our Father - knit one slip one'

Anyway - these two ladies lived in what was referred to as shabby genteelness. It was Aunty Lettie who used to do knitting orders for The Good Companions and since she was easily flustered and had absolutely no head for figures, she used to visit us about once a week and my sisters would put her straight on her knitting, more often than not, finishing it for her.

On one occasion-she turned up at Mazda Mansions, our flat in Calcutta, with a frothy yellow creation which she was supposed to finish within a week. The poor lady, who was extremely thin and nervous anyway - said:

"Oh darlings - (to me and my sisters) - "this is driving me mad. There are so many stitches and it is such a complicated pattern and last night, when I was saying my prayers, I found myself saying 'Our Father - knit one slip one' - Oh dear, Oh dear - what am I to do?"

She could not understand why we all fell about laughing but I sat down and sorted out the pattern for her and ended up finishing the garment which was knitted in two ply wool and was a bed jacket -extremely Haired and nouncy, gathered into a yoke, There was 216 stitches on one side of the front and over 500 on the back so it was quite a major work. Anyway - when it was done she came to me with money she had received because she said she had not really done the work and although 1 did not take it because I knew she was as badly off as we were -it started me off doing work for the Good Companions and enabled me eventually to complete my education.

Elizabeth James (nee Shah), AngloIndian schoolgirl. Calcutta, 1947

(source: page 34-35 Elizabeth James: An Anglo Indian Tale: The Betrayal of Innocence. Delhi: Originals, 2004 / Reproduced by courtesy of Elizabeth James (nee Shah))

My knitting would have girdled the earth many times

I had learned to knit at a very young age and by this time was an accomplished knitter, I did knitting orders for a shop called The Good Companions run by the English Ladies who paid me an unbelievable amount and were so strict about every single thing. It all had to be absolutely beautifully finished and they sold them at very high prices but they certainly did not pay the kind of money for which they were selling. My knitting would have girdled the earth many times. However, it was expedient and it was something I could do to enable me to continue my education.

Elizabeth James (nee Shah), AngloIndian schoolgirl. La Martiniere for Girls, Calcutta, 1950

(source: page 45 Elizabeth James: An Anglo Indian Tale: The Betrayal of Innocence. Delhi: Originals, 2004 / Reproduced by courtesy of Elizabeth James (nee Shah))

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Wholesale Markets

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

Return to top

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Roadside Hawkers

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

Sikh boys

These Sikh lads have chosen an auspicious stand for their business of selling 'precious' stone to GI's. No more than 12 years old, these boys are shrewd and 'malum' English well enough to trim a sucker every time.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Breakfast tea, Calcutta St.

Early morning in many Calcutta street finds natives huddled around a breakfast teapot, having risen from their sidewalk abode. The milkman makes a regular stop at this community gathering on busy Park street.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Betel nut vendor

One of the commonest street vendors is the Paan wallah, or betel nut vendor. One tenth of the world chews the mixture of leaf, spices, nut and other variable ingredients. Chief by-product of the habit is a reddish splatter of stain, indiscriminately spat upon walls and sidewalks in Calcutta by carefree chewers.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Sidewalk tonsorial parlor

Sidewalk tonsorial parlor. India probably has a greater proportion of barbers than any nation, for in addition to the many salons which cater to the European and higher type Indian trade, these sidewalk shavers seem to ply their trade in every other block.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

“To my sweet heart”

We were walking along a fairly crowded pavement one time, when one of the young local boys stood in front of us and tried to sell us a cushion cover with a picture of the Taj Mahal. The writing on it did not have the best of spacing. The slogan on the cushion was “To my sweet heart” But it was broken by the spires of the Taj so it read “ To my swee ^^ tart”. Pat did not get one and neither did David.

Kitty Calcutt, Nurse, Kalimpong Calcutta, October 1945

(source: A1307026 Wartime Memories of a Nurse at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Newspaper Vendors

We often walked down Chowringhee of an evening passing all the newspaper vendors with their publications all neatly laid out on the pavement and of course their American ciggies.

Molly Hamilton, Calcutta. late 1940s

(Source: Several E-mail interviews with Molly Hamilton in 2003. / Reproduced by courtesy of Molly Hamilton)

in dry-dock in Calcutta

So we went right down through the Indian Ocean from there, to Calcutta, to dry-dock, and we were in dry-dock in Calcutta for about six, eight weeks, I think. but anyway, the work was being done by Italian prisoners of war, very clever engineers, the Italians, working on the engines. In their spare time, I don’t know how they did it, they had got hold of blocks of aluminium and they were making cigarette lighters out of this aluminium, and flogging them — they did very well. Nice blokes they were, I’ve nothing against the Ities. I had to stay there, with nothing to do, and I happened to get friendly with a chief petty officer in the Royal Indian Navy I bumped into, we got very friendly, unusual for me, for in those days we considered ourselves “superior” — which is all the wrong attitude today, it wouldn’t do today we thought we were the cat’s whisker, we were important, anybody else that didn’t have the right stripe… you know. — very nice chap. Moslem, we use to go to all the places he knew. Great, you see, what meals to order, great.

Gordon Richmond, sub-lieutenant Royal Navy, Calcutta, 1944

(source: A5079323 Service in the Chongs of Burma in an HDML, 1944 at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

A British view of a Calcutta Street

Imagine walking along, say, Dalton Road and seeing, say, the Spencer brothers—one sitting crosslegged in the midst of his wares in a loincloth and a beautiful turban, the other .sitting right in the middle of the pavement bathing himself (with his clothes on') at one of the wells of water that spring up at intervals all the way along. Then next door probably a soothsayer or phrenologist with all sorts of weirdlooking objects hanging outside—tortoise shells, dead things, goodness know; what! Then, say, Mr Bell lying in his .string bed fast asleep in the street—or sitting there stitching away and machining in the midst of naked little urchins—boys, yelling little coloured birds. Rickshaws being drawn by men, gharries by horses. Dead cats and rats lying about all over the place! Such a bewildering conglomera tion—it is indescribable!

Laura Lidrell, atcress. Calcutta1944

(source: Geoffrey Kendal: The Shakespeare Wallah. London: Sidgick & Jackson, 1986 )

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with Geoffrey Kendal)

Amra’s on the side

Yesterday [a friend] was raving on about buying a box of Amras. She hadn't tasted one since the days when we used to buy "trash" from the tingting man who used to sit outside the school. He used to have the most wonderful little brown plumbs and amras which he sold to us in a dried leaf purrier sprinkled with chilli powder and black salt. I was forbidden from buying anything outside BUT.....what my mother didn't know didn't hurt her until I had the backdoor trots, then it would all come out as to why my tummy was so upset and I would be hauled to the Doctor (Dr Gunni) who knew all about it even before he was told.

Molly Hamilton, Calcutta. late 1940s

(Source: Several E-mail interviews with Molly Hamilton in 2003. / Reproduced by courtesy of Molly Hamilton)

tattoo artists and fortune tellers

4. Give a fast, "Scram!" to all tattoo artists and fortune tellers. That goes for street vendors also. They are all definite nuisances and may very well be Jap spies. The high rate of skin infections following tattooing quickly removed them from the in-bounds status for American Military Personnel.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

In those days we did not go shopping in bazaars

In those days we did not go shopping in bazaars for the daily necessities. Instead, hawkers would bring their ware to your door. If you lived on the top floor as we did, you lowered an empty basket attached to a strong rope from the railings of your veranda to the hawker below. He would normally have a supply of milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. There was also the “Toffee Man” who would pass by occasionally to deliver toffee moulded into different shapes, mostly animal figures. Payment of money would normally be lowered in the basket or wrapped in paper and thrown to the hawker. Those days are gone forever.

Katyun Randhawa, a young Indian (Parsi) girl, Calcutta, 1942-3

(source: A5756150 The bombing of Calcutta by the Japanese Edited at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Selling Souvenirs

Chowringhee, the Piccadilly of Calcutta, was the centre of the maelstrom; at times it was literally impossible to move along the sidewalks. Firpo's, a popular bar and restaurant purely for the Feringhees (officers only), and renowned throughout India, was packed solid day and night; it was as much as you could do to get inside the door, let alone to a table. But after a great deal of pushing and shoving, I managed to get in. I carried with me the Japanese flag, the Rising Sun, which I'd acquired whilst with the Gurkha regiment. The man who had formerly carried it was no longer in a position to do so: a Gurkha had slit his throat. I found a ready American customer for it - they had voracious appetites for these things, and were in the mood to buy anything from the war in Burma.

Three days there were quite enough for me and my contingent; I was glad to move on to Ranchi, in Bihar, where my regiment was. But before leaving, I sold the Samurai sword formerly worn by the Japanese soldier who had almost kilted me, but who was himself killed by the Gurkha who saved my life; that scar would remain with me always. The sword also went quickly, also to an American, and I got an excellent price for both it and the Japanese flag. Not so the rubies and other precious stones I'd so carefully collected on my nine-hundred-mile journey, by foot and by Jeep, from the Indian border to Rangoon. When I had them appraised, I was told they were valueless.

William Pennington, Captain 134 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, Calcutta, Summer 1945

(source: page378-79 of William Pennington: Pick up you Parrots and Monkeys and fall in facing the boat. The life of a boy soldier in India. London: Cassell, 2003)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with William Pennington)

The Kulfi Wallah

One of my fondest memories is of the Old Kulfi Wallah. Kulfi is ,a type of icecream which must have originated in the far North of India because the Kulfi Wallahs were always Pathans who were of the hill tribes which peopled the North West Frontier and Afghanistan - indeed they were Afghans. I absolutely adored Kulfi and to this day, pat it whenever I can get it although there are many places which offer kulfi but it is not the real thing. This Old Man was a big man and to me - aged around three - he seemed like a giant out of the picture books complete with flowing robes and turban and he had a deep, booming, voice which bellowed out: "Kulfi Malai". However, he usually came around about nine p.m. when I was supposed to have been asleep for a good two hours but I used to lie awake listening for him and jump out of bed screaming " Mummy, Mummy - the Kulfi Man is here” as if she could not have heard him herself! He always stood under our balcony for quite a while because he knew that I would come running out to see him. He had a large bundle on his head which contained (as I now know) the metal Cones in which the Kulfi was made and what must have been a box with ice in it to keep it cold. The bundle was always swathed in cloth and he would plunge his hand in and rattle the ice and then draw out a cone which he then rolled between his palms and then squeezed - or so it seemed - on to a plate, the delicious kulfi. I stood by with my eyes wide with wonder watching this performance and it is a memory which stayed with me for ever. Many years later, after we had been away and then moved back to Calcutta and I was nearly eighteen, I was stopped on the street by an old, wizened man who said in Hindi "I know you, you are the baba from Sandell Street." It was my Kulfi Man - now really old who recognised me despite the passage of time ! 1 have never again tasted Kulfi which was so good!

Elizabeth James (nee Shah), AngloIndian schoolgirl. Calcutta 1941-2

(source: page 13-14 Elizabeth James: An Anglo Indian Tale: The Betrayal of Innocence. Delhi: Originals, 2004 / Reproduced by

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From Abroad

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

POST EXCHANGE

Location. Post Exchange facilities are available in the Calcutta area wherever there is a sufficient concentration of troops to warrant one. Each camp or replacement depot has its own P.X. The Main Exchange is located on the ground floor of the Hindusthan Building. The ARC Burra Club on Dalhousie Square has its own branch, as has the 142nd General Hospital.

Rationing. A certain number of items such as beer, candy, gum, etc., are rationed because of limited quantities. To secure any rationed item you must present a ration card. Ration cards are readily available upon arrival in this area, and they may and should be used throughout the entire I-B Theater. Troops going to any part of the Theater will find P.X. facilities available.

Souvenirs. You will find many interesting and necessary items at the P.X. besides those few which are on the rationed list. A recent ruling has ousted all curios concessionaires from Army installations; and the Army has organized its own staff of highly trained buyers to secure for you at as low a cost as possible a complete line of souvenirs and gifts. These buyers go directly to the manufacturer whenever possible and thus eliminate any middleman costs. Try the P.X. for that gift to send home. Why pay higher prices elsewhere? Moreover, the reliability of every product in the P.X. has been tested and established.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

QUARTERMASTER SERVICES

Sales Commissary. A new and improved Quartermaster Sales Commissary is located at 16 Sooterkin Street (Aben Court), less than one block from the Hindusthan Building.

As complete a line as is possible is maintained; also, there are few restrictions on the sale of the items themselves as is possible. However, the sale of clothing must be restricted to officers, and certain of the food items have to be put on a rationed list from time to time. If you're hungry for some good American canned goods, pay a visit to the Commissary occasionally to see what they have available for you.

Travel Rations. Personnel authorized to draw rations for traveling may contact the office of the Base Quartermaster, Hindusthan Building, with copies of the orders. A small quantity of "C", "D", and "K" rations are kept on hand, with rail and road rations being available on short notice.

(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___________________

a beautiful beaded evening bag from Paris

Barney, Stephen and I used to play at being grown ups and Stephen who was very short, used to be a chap called Bhagchan who was a very wealthy Indian man who used to visit us. We never knew him by any other name but he used to go to Europe a lot and on one occasion brought Aunty Dolly a beautiful beaded evening bag from Paris. I still have it. About the only thing which remains from those days.

Elizabeth James (nee Shah), AngloIndian schoolgirl. Ranchi, mid 1940s

(source: page 17 Elizabeth James: An Anglo Indian Tale: The Betrayal of Innocence. Delhi: Originals, 2004 / Reproduced by courtesy of Elizabeth James (nee Shah))

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Advertising

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

Billboards

A bewildering mass of billboards at the corner of Harrison Street (Burra Bazar) and Strand Road. One of the oldest sections of Calcutta, at the foot of Howrah Bridge, it is a fine vantage point for photographing the passing parade of oddly dressed natives and curious vehicles.

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Calcutta Side Street

Richard Beard, US Army Lieutenant Psychologist with 142 US military hospital. Calcutta,

(Source: Elaine Pinkerton / Reproduced by courtesy of Elaine Pinkerton)

Spring neckties…

StuartScan041

collected by Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart, I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service), Calcutta, 1940s

(source: personal scrapbook kept by Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart O.B.E., I.C.S. seen on 20-Dec-2005 / Reproduced by courtesy of Mrs. Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart)

Tickets to Darjeeling

StuartScan043

collected by Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart, I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service), Calcutta, 1940s

(source: personal scrapbook kept by Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart O.B.E., I.C.S. seen on 20-Dec-2005 / Reproduced by courtesy of Mrs. Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart)

Lloyds Bank

StuartScan042

collected by Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart, I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service), Calcutta, 1940s

(source: personal scrapbook kept by Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart O.B.E., I.C.S. seen on 20-Dec-2005 / Reproduced by courtesy of Mrs. Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart)

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

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Money & Prices

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

Indian Money and Coinage.

Currency:

1 Rupee - 16 Annas

1 Anna - 12 Pies (4 Pice)

1 Pice - 3 Pies

100,000 Rupees - 1 Lahk

100 Lahks - 1 Crore or 10 million rupees

Note: paper Currency Notes of Rupee 1/-, Rs. 2, Rs. 5, Rs. 10, Rs. 50, Rs. 100 and Rs. 1,000 are in circulation.

The Rupee in Dollars:

Re. 1 is about 30 cents

Rs. 3-5-0 are equal to one dollar

Rs. 100 are about $30.26

Rs. 1,000 are about $302.62

Rs. 1,00,000 (a lahk) are about $30,262

Rs. 1,00,00,000 (a crore) are about $3,026,200

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Weights and Measures.

Weights and measures in India may confuse you at first. (They won't be the only thing to do so. But it's all different, and most of it is fun). The weights and measures vary not only from district to district, but also vary with different commodities. The principal units in all the scales and weights are the maund, seer, and tola; and the standard weights for each of these are 82.28 lbs., 2,057 lbs., and 180 grains troy, respectively. The Indian tola is the same weight as the rupee, i.e. 180 grains troy. The standard or railway seer is equal to 2,057 lbs., while the standard or railway maund of 40 seers is the equivalent of 82 lbs., 4 oz., 9 drams. There are many local variations.

Dry Measure.

5 tolas - 1 chittak (2 oz. approx.)

4 chittaks - 1 pow (8 oz. approx.)

4 pows - 1 seer (2 lbs. approx.)

40 seers - 1 maund (80 lbs. approx.)

Liquid Measure.

4 chittaks - 1 pow (½ pint)

2 pows - ½ seer (1 pint)

4 pows - 1 seer (1 quart)

40 seers - 1 maund (10 gallons)

(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 CALCUTTA MINT

Admission -.—Free, on obtaining permission from the Mint Master.

Trams :—Nimtola-Rajabazar via Dalhousie and Esplanade.

Buses :—No. 11A.

The Calcutta Mint is situated at No. 47 Strand Road, about a furlong to the north of the existing Howrah Bridge and nearly opposite the new bridge under construction. The building, of Grecian architecture with a handsome central portico, is a half-scale replica of the Temple of Minerva at Athens.

Designed by Major-General W.N. Forbes, the foundation stone was laid at a depth of 26 ½ feet on the 31^st March 1824, and the building completed and equipped in 1830 at a cost of about Rs. 24 lakhs, an additional 3 lakhs being subsequently spent on further extensions.

Various additions have been made from time to time, and today the Mint is a fully-equipped complete workshop with its own sub-station, standing on 12 acres of ground. The Calcutta Mint is reputed to be the busiest in the world, its yearly output reaching enormous figures, The records show that in December 1918 the Mint produced as many as 1,900,000 finished coins in one day, a world record.

The structure in 1832 replaced the Old Mint in Church Lane which was built in 1791, and is now occupied by the Stamp and Stationery Department.

In the early days of the Mint, coins were struck in the name of the Moghul Emperor, but in 1835 the East India Company substituted its own coinage, which consisted of gold mohurs and silver rupees. Copper coins were introduced in 1865 and nickel coins in about 1907. In addition to striking coins the Mint is also responsible for the production of a large number of medals, both military and civil.

Coins struck in this Mint are put into circulation from the Currency Office in Dalhousie Square.

An exquisitely-sculptured marble bust of Major-General Forbes, who presided over the Mint for several years, adorns the bullion room.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 119-120 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)

Poor Man's Rupee

RELUCTANTLY and after an almost dangerous delay, the Government of India decided last summer to issue one-rupee notes. In the difficult circumstances of the time the decision was necessary and very welcome. Owing to panicky hoarding caused but in no way justified by the gravity of the war-news, silver rupees were then fast disappearing from circulation; public inconvenience and bewilderment were accordingly great.

Repeated appeals to the hoarders (many of whom were deducibly persons of wealth and position) for less anti-social and irrational conduct had proved to be practically unavailing. The new notes' arrival effectively terminated a situation which was verging on the intolerable.

(source: The Statesman. Calcutta/Delhi, December 27. 1940)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with The Statesman)

I took possession often million pounds of sterling

I myself returned to Calcutta with the appointment of "Major and Staff Paymaster, South Burma". I took possession often million pounds of sterling in new notes printed by De La Rue in England which was to be distributed through the whole of Burma, coincidental with the declaration that all other currencies previously in circulation, including the phoney Japanese occupational currency, were invalid.

Frank L. Ffoulkes, Army, Calcutta, 1945

(source: A3699778 War Service' An Unusual Experience' Part 1 at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Another problem – money by cable

Another problem - money. RAF wasn't marvellous and we always seemed to be getting short. An English bank account was inaccessible in India. No international credit cards in those days. On a few occasions people back home cabled money out to me (£10), but it was a complicated process and took weeks and entailed a visit to the appropriate Indian bank in Calcutta. Of course, all my friends benefited as we tended to share things - after all there was no pleasure in going to Calcutta on your own whilst your friends stayed in camp, broke. To get your hands on the money it was necessary to find the right bank - in Calcutta it would be in the Clive Street area where most of the official buildings, central post office and banks were. Together with the Maidan and its splendid buildings, this was the most impressive part of the city. Banks in India were very different to those at home. On producing the telegram about the money a bearer would escort you to a desk inside the bank where you would be asked to sit down and offered a drink, then the formalities would be dealt with unhurriedly and the money handed over. I went to three banks and they all had the same methods - the Imperial Bank of India and the Chartered Bank of India Australia and China in Calcutta, and the Comilla banking corporation in Comilla.

Harry Tweedale, RAF Signals Section, Barrackpore, 1943

(source: A6665457 TWEEDALE's WAR Part 11 Pages 85-92 at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

No Change

A POPULAR song, used to ask where the flies went in winter. Perhaps somewhere there is a song asking where the pice go at any time. Into secret hoards, is the official answer, despite all the rumours about melting down and selling at a profit. There is, market prices suggest, no profit to be made that way. Hoarders have been discovered convicted and punished, a good thing both for public ethics and for daily convenience; more small money is coming in the market in parts of India, it is said. Not yet everywhere. Not apparently in Calcutta.

(source: The Statesman. Calcutta/Delhi, January 28, 1943)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with The Statesman)

FINANCE FOR U.S. SOLDIERS

Pay. Transients and other individuals not assigned or attached to any organization in this area who desire pay should contact the nearest Finance Office. Others must make arrangements through their unit Personnel Officer. The Finance Office in the Hindusthan Building is ready to assist all Military Personnel in their legitimate claims for pay.

Officers' Pay Vouchers. Initial pay vouchers will be prepared at this headquarters upon arrival of an officer assigned to this Base Section. Pay Data Card and appropriate orders should be presented to the Pay Clerk in the Personnel Office. Thereafter, each officer will be responsible for the preparation of his own vouchers, which should reach the Finance Office not later than the 20th of each month.

Hallelujah - Money. You have money, lots of it! Lucky you. You have come to Calcutta to have a high time spending it. Well, the local merchants and inhabitants in general are quite cooperative; they will help you spend money - but fast. Sure, do spend enough to have a good time; only please try to avoid being a sucker. Keep Sad Sack in the cartoons only. Save a little of that dough, or send some home. Again, still another War Bond means that much more security for later on, when you will be back in Seventh Heaven where you can really enjoy security.

Finance Facilities. All Military Personnel arriving in the C.B.I. Theater must exchange all of their U.S. currency and coins for Indian currency. Only the Finance Office is authorized to do so. And, furthermore, the Finance Office offers a better rate of exchange than can be offered by any outsiders (outsiders who may be Jap agents trying to get hold of American money). Finance also offers facilities for the exchange of Travelers Checks and Money Orders of the American Express and several other prominent American Banks. Foreign currencies of some thirty-odd countries can be exchanged at the Finance Office. And at no cost to you money ranging in amounts from five dollars and up can be sent home. Buy that extra War Bond at the Finance Office and help end this mess that much sooner. Advice about money matters? A Finance Officer will be glad to assist you. Custodians of funds belonging to organizations in transit are advised to exchange cash for U.S. Treasury checks which can be obtained from the Finance Officer.

Financial Advice. Spend your money wisely. Make things that much easier for the next G.I. who may not be as up in the chips as you are. He may have a wife and children at home to help support. And, unfortunately, every time you spend too much or pay too much for an article you jack up the price for the next fellow. We Americans are reputed to be a generous people. Is it generous to spend money in a manner which disrupts the economy of a nation? How would you like to return to your home towns to find that a lot of newcomers had boomed the price of a beer to double or triple what it was before their arrival? Another subject that needs mentioning is the handling of Indian currency. The stuff tears easily. And torn or mutilated currency is not accepted in India. American personnel who have such torn currency in their possession should take it to the Currency Office of the Reserve bank of India, Dalhousie Square, one block south of the ARC Burra Club. Warning: Silver rupees are not commonly in circulation in India right now; therefore refuse to accept any, lest those which you receive turn out to be counterfeit. Insist on paper notes, but do not take ones that are torn or badly soiled. Counterfeit notes are quite easy to detect. The engraving may be good; nevertheless the paper itself will be cheap and poor, and the ink will tend to rub off.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

One should tip for everything

One should tip for everything, but only at the end of the service or stay. Do not over tip. Keep small change on hand. In hotels you tip everyone - a rupee for the head-waiter and the head room bearer, half a rupee (8 annas) for the sweepers, porters, water boys and luggage porters at the station.

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the original submitter/author)

Meanwhile back in Britain

Food rationing in May 1941

An Adult's Weekly Ration

3 pints of milk

225g of jam

55g of tea

170g of butter

one shilling's worth of meat

225g of sugar

115g of bacon

30g of cheese

(source: Robert Westall: Westalls War at http://www.westallswar.org.uk/01_1941.html)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the author)

Wartime Prices in Britain

What it cost - 1939

Butter 1/6 (7½p) per lb. - Margarine 6d (2½p) per lb. - Lard 7d (3p) per lb. Cheddar cheese 10d (4p) per lb. - Danish side bacon 1/6 (7½p) per lb. - Milk 3d (1½p) per pint - Egyptian eggs 8d (3½p) per dozen - CWS Tea-tips 3/- (15p) per lb. - Granulated sugar 4½d (2p) per lb. - Large tin of Lokreel peaches 1/2 (6p) - Nestles cream 6½d (2½p) per small tin - Sweet biscuits 1/- (5p) per lb. - Chocolate Fingers 1/9 (8½p) per lb. - Flour 1/7 (8p) per stone (14lb.) - Self raising flour 7½d (3p) per 3lb. - Players cigarettes 10 for 7d (3p) - Woodbine cigarettes 10 for 5d (2p) - St Bruno tobacco 1/2 (6p) per 1oz. - Marcella Elegante cigars 50 for £1/1/6 (£1.07½p). - Danish eggs, large 2/- (10p) per dozen. - Potatoes 1/2 (6p) per stone (14lb).

A live-in maid doing plain cooking could be engaged for £1 per week and a modern furnished bungalow could be rented for 2 to 3 gns (£2.10p to £3.15p) and a detached three bedroomed bungalow with a garage and garden cost £550, and a new baby Austin to go in the garage cost £122.

Barry Noble advertised: Jaffas 1d (½p) each - Nelis pears 4d (1½p) per lb - Newtowns 4d (1½p) per lb - McIntosh Reds 4d (1½p) per lb - Grapefruit 5 for 4d (1½p) - Lemons ½d (-) each - Cooking Apples 6d (2½p) for 3½lb.

What it cost - 1940

Rowntree's Cocoa, 6d (2½p) per ¼lb. - Chappie Dog Food, 7d (3p) per tin. - Black Cat cigarettes, 10 for 6d (2½p).- Reckitt's Bath Cubes, 2d (1p) each. - A small bungalow, £250. - 10 hp Vauxhall saloon car, £169. - Drene Shampoo, 6d (2½p), 1/- (5p) and 2/6 (12½p) per bottle. - Maltesers, 2d (1p) per packet, 6d (2½p) per box - Oxydol sold in 3½d (1½p), 6d (2½p) and 1/- (5p) pkts. - Wrigley's PK Chewing Gum, 1d (½p) per packet - Halls Wine, 3/9 (19p) and 6/6 (32½p) per bottle. - Celanese ties cost 1/6 (7½p) each.

The Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd advised that the fare from Glasgow to London was £1/10/- (£1.50p) and the return fare was £2/10/- (£2.50p).

120 Wills 'Gold Flake' cigarettes could be sent to the British Forces in France for 3/9 (18½p).

Seats in London's 'His Majesty's Theatre' to see Stanley Lupino, Florence Desmond & Sally Gray in 'Funny Side Up' cost from 1/6 to 10/6 (7½p to 52½p).

What it cost - 1941

Embassy cigarettes, 10 for 9d (4p) - Wisdom toothbrushes, 2/5 (12p) each - Eve toilet soap 3d (1½p) per bar - Palmolive toilet soap 4d (2p) per bar - Vim 6d (2½p) per canister - De Reszke Minor cigarettes, 10 for 6½d (2½p) - Hartley's headlamp masks 10/6 (52½p) to 12/6 (62½p) each - Gibbs Dentifrice 7½d (3½p) and 1/3 (6½p) per tin - Cremola Pudding 3d (1½p) and 6d (2½p) per pkt - Rowntrees cocoa 5d (2p) per ¼lb and 9½d (3½p) per ½lb - Cadbury's Ration Chocolate sold at 2½d (1p) per bar, the supply was very limited - and the weight of the bar was not mentioned.

Gamages advertised a shirt (with a spare collar) at 6/11 (35p) - a pair of flannel trousers at 15/9 (78p) - a pair of shoes, all leather at 13/9 (68p) - and a mans self lined raincoat for 1 guinea (that was £1/1/- (£1.05)).

What it cost - 1942

This from a Rowntree's advertisement ... Brunch chocolate bars, Cream Tablet bars and bars of Plain York chocolate all sold at 2½d (1p) and 2 points each - the famous fruit gums were no longer sold in tubes or packets but were sold loose at 7d (3p) and 4 points per 4oz.

Other prices quoted were ... Black and White Scotch Whisky £1/3/- (£1.15) per bottle and 12/- (60p) per ½ bottle - Zixt Hand soap (soap with an abrasive added for dirty and oily hands) 4d (1½p) and 1 coupon per small tablet - A three hole safety razor plus three razor blades - 'worth their weight in gold' - for 2/10d (14p).

Gamage's advertisement ... Featured a Black Japanned Metal Coal Bunker to hold 2 cwt. cost £1/5/3 (£1.26) plus 3/- (15p) carriage - Gas Pokers were priced at 5/9 (29p) postage and packing 7d (3p) extra, the flexible metal tubing for it cost 5d (2p) per foot extra.

What it cost - 1943

Taken from various newspapers ... Strawberry plants 12 for 2/6 (12½p) - Raspberry canes 12 for 3/6 (17½p) - Darwin Tulip bulbs 12 for 7/6 (37½p) - 100 mixed Daffodil, Tulip and Narcissus bulbs for 19/- (95p) ... Cadbury's Red Label drinking chocolate 10d (4p) per ½lb - Bournville cocoa 9½d (3½p) per ½lb - Bourn-Vita 1/5 (7p) per ½lb - Woodwards Gripe Water 1/5 (7p) per bottle - Booth's Dry Gin £1/5/3 (£1.26) per bottle and 13/3 (66p) per ½ bottle - Wooden soled shoes (which were really clogs) 5 coupons and 12/4 (62p) - One handed storm proof cigarette lighter 6/6 (32½p) plus 6d (2½p) postage and packing.

What it cost - 1944

Oatmeal 3½d (1½p) per lb - Meat (average price) 1/2 (6p) per lb - Potatoes 7d (3p) per ½ stone (7lb) - Sugar 4d (1½p) per lb - Milk 9d (3½p) per quart - Cheese 1/1 (5½p) per lb - Bacon 1/10½ (9p) per lb. - Eggs large 2/- (10p) per dozen and small 1/9 (8½p) per dozen - Bread 9d (3½p) per 4lb loaf.

What it cost - 1945

Fairy Soap 6½d (2½p) per tablet - Persil 4d (1½p) per small packet - Churchman cigarettes 20 for 2/6 (12½p) - DuBarry face pdr 4/- (20p) per box - Gibb's Dentifrice 7½d (3p) per block - Cadburys Dairy Box 9d (3½p) ¼lb box - Betox (like Bovril) ½lb jar for 1/4 (6½p) - Johnnie Walker Red Label Whiskey £1/5/9 (£1.28½) per bottle, 13/6 (67½p) per ½ bottle - Johnnie Walker Black Label Whiskey £1/7/9 (£1.38½) per bottle.

(Source: Roy Ripley & Brian Pears: “North-East Diary 1939-1945” at http://www.swinhope.myby.co.uk/NE-Diary/index.html)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with the author)

Cost of Living Index

Selected Prices ca. 1940

Selected Prices ca. 1950

The Good Old Times

RECENTLY acquired for the National Archives of India is a set of accounts for the month of November 1850, kept by a .Bengali family associated at an earlier period with one of the three famous villages out of which grew modem Calcutta. The cost of living therein revealed is enough to make a present-day inhabitant of Bengal long to possess Mr H. G. Wells's Time Machine. A maund of the finest rice cost Rs 1-9, three goats Rs 2-4-0, a sari 10 annas, or if of silk 13, a dhoti 6 annas. Ghee sold at 7 annas a seer, honey at 3; two dozen bananas could be had for an anna, which was also the price of eight oranges or cucumbers. Mustard oil was rated at 12 annas for 5 seers, coconut oil at Rs 2 for 8.

Such details, relating to a period less than 100 years ago, are certainly remarkable. Many, however, will feel the need for caution as they absorb this evidence of a seemingly golden age. Healthy scepticism about comparisons of the cost of living in different centuries was perhaps, first caused by the erudite, and in some ways fantastic, labours of savants who endeavoured to relate household expenditure in their own age to that of people ruled by the Pharaohs or their foreign contemporaries. A hundred years before the Bengali accounts were made up a good bearer could be had in Calcutta for Rs 3 a month, while in Elizabethan England Falstaf’s wine bill, if taken at its face value, makes the present cost of beer and spirits seem fanciful.

Although rice was so cheap in 1850, many people at that time and later died in famines. How the masses who were not so unfortunate fared can only be conjectured, as much research is still required into prices and wages in the last century.

(source: The Statesman. Calcutta/Delhi, October 13, 1948)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with The Statesman)

Value of Articles from 1 Seer to 1 Maund at -/8/- to Rs. 40 per Maund.

Sr.	At As.-/8/-	At As. -/12/-	At Rs. l/-	At Rs. 1/4/-	At Rs. 1/8/-	At Rs. 2/-	At Rs. 2/8/-	At Rs.3/-	At Rs. 3/8/-	At Rs.4/-
	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.
1	0 0 2	0 0 3	0 0 4	0 0 5	0 0 6	0 0 9	0 0 11	0 1 2	0 1 4	0 1 7
2	0 0 5	0 0 7	0 0 9	0 1 0	0 1 2	0 1 7	0 2 0	0 2 4	0 2 9	0 3 2
3	0 0 7	0 0 11	0 1 2	0 1 6	0 1 9	0 2 4	0 2 11	0 3 7	0 4 2	0 4 9
4	0 0 10	0 1 3	0 1 7	0 2 1	0 2 5	0 3 2	0 4 0	0 4 9	0 5 7	0 6 4
5	0 1 0	0 1 6	0 2 0	0 2 6	0 3 0	0 4 0	0 5 0	0 6 0	0 7 0	0 8 0
6	0 1 2	0 1 9	0 2 4	0 2 11	0 3 6	0 4 9	0 5 11	0 7 2	0 8 4	0 9 7
7	0 1 5	0 2 1	0 2 9	0 3 6	0 4 2	0 5 7	0 7 0	0 8 4	0 9 9	0 11 2
8	0 1 7	0 2 5	0 3 2	0 4 0	0 4 9	0 6 4	0 7 11	0 9 7	0 11 2	0 12 9
9	0 1 10	0 2 9	0 3 7	0 4 7	0 5 5	0 7 2	0 9 0	0 10 9	0 12 7	0 14 4
10	0 2 0	0 3 0	0 4 0	0 5 0	0 6 0	0 8 0	0 10 0	0 12 0	0 14 0	1 0 0
11	0 2 2	0 3 3	0 4 4	0 5 5	0 6 6	0 8 9	0 10 11	0 13 2	0 15 4	1 1 7
12	0 2 5	0 3 7	0 4 9	0 6 0	0 7 2	0 9 7	0 12 0	0 14 4	1 0 9	1 3 2
13	0 2 7	0 3 11	0 5 2	0 6 6	0 7 9	0 10 4	0 12 11	0 15 7	1 2 2	1 4 9
14	0 2 10	0 4 3	0 5 7	0 7 1	0 8 5	0 11 2	0 14 0	1 0 9	1 3 7	1 6 4
15	0 3 0	0 4 6	0 6 0	0 7 6	0 9 0	0 12 0	0 15 0	1 2 0	1 5 0	1 8 0
16	0 3 2	0 4 9	0 6 4	0 7 11	0 9 6	0 12 9	0 15 11	1 3 2	1 6 4	1 9 7
17	0 3 5	0 5 1	0 6 9	0 8 6	0 10 2	0 13 7	1 1 0	1 4 4	1 7 9	1 11 2
18	0 3 7	0 5 5	0 7 3	0 9 0	0 10 9	0 14 4	1 1 11	1 5 7	1 9 2	1 12 9
19	0 3 10	0 5 9	0 7 7	0 9 7	0 11 5	0 15 2	1 3 0	1 6 9	1 10 7	1 14 4
20	0 4 0	0 6 0	0 8 0	0 10 0	0 12 0	1 0 0	1 4 0	1 8 0	1 12 0	2 0 0
25	0 5 0	0 7 6	0 10 0	0 12 6	0 15 0	1 4 0	1 9 0	1 14 0	2 3 0	2 8 0
30	0 6 0	0 9 0	0 12 0	0 15 0	1 2 0	1 8 0	1 14 0	2 4 0	2 10 0	3 0 0
35	0 7 0	0 10 6	0 14 0	1 1 6	1 5 0	1 12 0	2 3 0	2 10 0	3 1 0	3 8 0
40	0 8 0	0 12 0	1 0 0	1 4 0	1 8 0	2 0 0	2 8 0	3 0 0	3 8 0	4 0 0

Value of Articles from 1 Seer to 1 Maund at -/8/- to Rs. 40 per Maund.

Sr.	At. Rs. 5/-	At Rs 6/-	At Rs 7/-	At Rs. 8/-	At Rs. 9/-	At. Rs. 10/-	At Rs. 15/-	At Rs. 20/-	At Rs. 30/-	At Rs. 40/-
	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p.	R. a. p..	R. a. p
1	0 2 0	0 2 4	0 2 9	0 3 2	0 3 7	0 4 0	0 6 0	0 8 0	0 12 0	1 0 0
2	0 4 0	0 4 9	0 5 7	0 6 4	0 7 2	0 8 0	0 12 0	1 0 0	1 8 0	2 0 0
3	0 6 0	0 7 2	0 8 4	0 9 7	0 10 9	0 12 0	1 2 0	1 8 0	2 4 0	3 0 0
4	0 8 0	0 9 7	0 11 2	0 12 9	0 14 4	1 0 0	1 8 0	2 0 0	3 0 0	4 0 0
5	0 10 0	0 12 0	0 14 0	1 0 0	1 2 0	1 4 0	1 14 0	2 8 0	3 12 0	5 0 0
6	0 12 0	0 14 4	1 0 9	1 3 2	1 5 7	1 8 0	2 4 0	3 0 0	4 8 0	6 0 0
7	0 14 0	1 0 9	1 3 7	1 6 4	1 9 2	1 12 0	2 10. 0	3 8 0	5 4 0	7 0 0
8	1 0 0	1 3 2	1 6 4	1 9 7	1 12 9	2 0 0	3 0 0	4 0 0	6 0 0	8 0 0
9	1 2 0	1 5 7	1 9 2	1 12 9	2 0 4	2 4 0	360	480	6 12 0	9 0 0
10	1 4 0	1 8 0	1 12 0	2 0 0	2 4 0	2 8 0	3 12 0	5 0 0	7 8 0	10 0 0
11	1 6 0	1 10 4	1 14 9	2 3 2	2 7 7	2 12 0	4 2 0	5 8 0	8 4 0	11 0 0
12	1 8 0	1 12 9	2 1 7	2 6 4	2 11 2	3 0 0	4 8 0	6 0 0	9 0 0	12 0 0
13	1 10 0	1 15 2	2 4 4	2 9 7	2 14 9	3 4 0	4 14 0	6 8 0	9 12 0	13 0 0
14	1 12 0	2 1 7	2 7 2	2 12 9	3 2 4	3 8 0	5 4 0	7 0 0	10 8 0	14 0 0
15	1 14 0	2 4 0	2 10 0	3 0 0	3 6 0	3 12 0	5 10 0	7 8 0	11 4 0	15 0 0
16	2 0 0	2 6 4	2 12 9	3 3 2	3 9 7	4 0 0	6 0 0	8 0 0	12 0 0	16 0 0
17	2 2 0	2 8 9	2 15 7	3 6 4	3 13 2	4 4 0	6 6 0	8 8 0	12 12 0	17 0 0
18	2 4 0	2 11 2	3 2 4	3 9 7	4 0 9	4 8 0	6 12 0	9 0 0	13 8 0	18 0 0
19	2 6 0	2 13 7	3 5 2	3 12 9	4 4 4	4 12 0	7 2 0	9 8 0	14 4 0	19 0 0
20	2 8 0	3 0 0	3 8 0	4 0 0	4 8 0	5 0 0	7 8 0	10 0 0	15 0 0	20 0 0
25	3 2 0	3 12 0	4 6 0	5 0 0	5 10 0	6 4 0	9 6 0	12 8 0	18 12 0	25 0 0
30	3 12 0	4 8 0	5 4 0	6 0 0	6 12 0	7 8 0	11 4 0	15 0 0	22 8 0	30 0 0
35	4 6 0	5 4 0	6 2 0	7 0 0	7 14 0	8 12 0	13 2 0	17 8 0	26 4 0	35 0 0
40	5 0 0	6 0 0	7 0 0	8 0 0	9 0 0	10 0 0	15 0 0	20 0 0	30 0 0	40 0 0

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 141-146 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)

_Older Coinage_______________________

Half Pice 1914

TGVHalfPice1914obv TGVHalfPice1914rev

One Twelfth Anna 1926

TGVOneTwelfthAnna1926obv TGVOneTwelfthAnna1926rev

OneQuarter Anna 1927

TGVOneQuarteranna1927obv TGVOneQuarteranna1927rev

One Anna 1929

TGVOneAnna1929obv TGVOneAnna1929rev

Two Anna 1916

TGVTwoAnna1916obv TGVTwoAnna1916rev

Two Anna 1936

TGVTwoAnna1936obv TGVTwoAnna1936rev

Four Anna 1920

TGVFourAnna1920obv TGVFourAnna1920rev

One Quarter Rupee 1925

TGVOneQuarterRe1925obv TGVOneQuarterRe1925rev

Eight Annas 1919

TGVEightAnnas1919rev

Half Rupee 1936

TGVHalfRe1936obv TGVHalfRe1936rev

One Rupee 1917

TGVOneRe1917obv TGVOneRe1917rev

15 Rupees of George V.

TbiGVrs15-o TbiGVrs15-r

_1940s Coinage________________________

Half Pice 1940

TGVIHalfPice1940obv TGVIHalfPice1940rev

One Pice 1944

Tpice1 Tpice2

One Twelfth Anna 1939

39IN12TH

One Twelfth Anna 1939

TGVIOneTewlfthAnna1939obv TGVIOneTewlfthAnna1939rev

Quarter Anna 1940

TGVIQuarterAnna1940obv TGVIQuarterAnna1940rev

Half Anna 1947

TGVIHalfAnna1947obv TGVIHalfAnna1947rev

One Anna 1943

43IN1A

One Anna 1941

1941I1A

One Anna 1947

TGVIOneAnna1947obv TGVIOneAnna1947rev

Two Annas 1946

46IN2

Two Anna 1947

TGVITwoAnna1947obv TGVITwoAnna1947rev

One Fourth Rupee 1939

TGVIOneFourthRupee1939obv TGVIOneFourthRupee1939rev

Half Rupee 1947

47INHR

Half Rupee 1939

TGVIHalfRupee1939obv TGVIHalfRupee1939rev

One Rupee 1938

TGVIOneRupee1938obv TGVIOneRupee1938rev

One Rupee 1942

TGVIOneRupee1942obv TGVIOneRupee1942rev

One Rupee 1947

TGVIOneRupee1947obv TGVIOneRupee1947rev

_1950 Independence Coinage ______________

One Pice 1950

T1950onepiceobv T1950onepicerev

Half Anna 1950

T1950Halfannaobv T1950Halfannarev

One Anna 1950

T1950oneannaobv T1950oneannarev

Two Anna 1950

1950Twoannaobv 1950Twoannarev

Quarter Rupee 1950

T1950onefourthreobv T1950onefourthrerev

Half Rupee 1950

T1950onehalfReobv T1950onehalfRerev

One Rupee 1950

T1950Reoneobv T1950Reonerev

_____INDIAN NOTES-------------------------------------

One Rupee (introduced in August 1940) as wartime measure (obverse)

Tre119401 Tre119402

One Rupee now with Lion Capital at Sarnath (introduced in 1949)

Tre1krk1

Two Rupees (introduced in 3rd March , 1943) as wartime measure (obverse)

Trs2jbrbi1

Five Rupees (introduced in January 1938) (obverse)

TGVIsd051

Ten Rupees (introduced in February 1938) (obverse)

TGVIsd101

New changed Ten Rupees (with changed portrait) to combat Japanese forgeries in WW2 (obverse)

TGVIfr101

Ten Rupees now with Lion Capital at Sarnath (introduced in 1949)

Tre10krk1

One Hundred Rupees (introduced in March 1938) (obverse)

TGVI1001

One Thousand Rupees (introduced in June 1938) (obverse)

TGVI10001

Ten Thousand Rupees (introduced in June 1938) (obverse)

Tvi100001

_HAJ ISSUES_________________________

Special 10 Rupee note issued to Haj pilgrims to spend in Arabia

Thajrs103

Special 100 Rupee note issued to Haj pilgrims to spend in Arabia

Thaj1001

_PRINCELY STATES_____________________

Five Rupee Osmania Sicca Note (Obverse) for the state of Hyderabad

TRs5Hydobv

Five Rupee Osmania Sicca Note (Reverse) for the state of Hyderabad

TRs5Hydrev

Ten Rupee Osmania Sicca Note (Obverse) for the state of Hyderabad

TRs10Hydobv

Ten Rupee Osmania Sicca (Reverse) for the state of Hyderabad

TRs10Hydrev

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Sailana

Tsailana

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Sayla

Tsayla

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Junagadh

Tjunagad2

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Mengni

Tmengni

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Nawanagar

Tnawanag1

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Bikaner

TBikaner

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Bikaner

TBikaner2

Cash Coupons (emergency money to relieve lack of coins) for the state of Bundi

TBundi

_OTHER INDIAN CURRENCY_____________________

_Goa___________________________________

4 Tanga Note issued by 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' since 1917 (obverse)

T600FiveTangasGoaobv

4 Tanga Note issued by 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' since 1917 (reverse)

T600FiveTangasGoarev

5 Rupia Note issued by 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' 1940s (obverse)

b23_0950a

5 Rupia Note issued by 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' 1940s (reverse)

b23_0950r

100 Rupia Note issued by 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' 1945 (obverse)

b23_0957a

100 Rupia Note issued by 'Banco Nacional Ultramarino' 1945 (reverse)

b23_0957r

_French India_______________________

10 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' 1949 (obverse)

b29_0003a

10 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' 1949 (reverse)

b29_0003r

50 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' 1915 (obverse)

PON250F

50 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' 1915 (reverse)

PON250B

1 Roupie Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' 1945 (obverse)

b29_0010a

1 Roupie Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' 1945 (reverse)

b29_0010r

5 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' (obverse)

PON5F

5 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' (reverse)

PON5B

50 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' (obverse)

PON150B

50 Roupies Note issued by 'Banque De l'Indochine' (reverse)

PON150F

_BRITISH NOTES______________________________

10 Shilling note issued by ‘Bank of England’ (obverse)

10 Shilling note issued by ‘Bank of England’ (reverse)

b17_0349r

1 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ (obverse)

b17_0353a

1 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ (reverse)

b17_0353r

1 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ (obverse)

b17_0399a

1 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ (reverse)

b17_0399r

5 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ 1945 (obverse)

b17_0304a

5 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ 1945 (reverse)

b17_0304r

100 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ 1935 (obverse)

b17_0302a

100 Pound note issued by ‘Bank of England’ 1935 (reverse)

b17_0302r

_FOREIGN CURRENCY_________________________

5 Rupees issued by the Reserve Bank of India for Burma in 1938 (obverse)

TBurma5

10 Rupees issued by the Reserve Bank of India for Burma in 1938 (obverse)

TBurma10

One Rupee issued by the Reserve Bank of India for the Gulf States in 1948 (obverse)

TGULFRE1

10 Rupees issued by the Reserve Bank of India for the Gulf States in 1948 (obverse)

TGULFRS101

100 Rupees issued by the Reserve Bank of India for the Gulf States in 1948 (obverse)

TGULF1001

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

First-class tram fare from Lake Market to Dalhousie was one anna then

First-class tram fare from Lake Market to Dalhousie was one anna then. There were counsellors in the coaches who advised passengers to travel by tram. Newspapers used to carry strip advertisements like “Travel by Tram” and “Use Electricity”.

(N.S. Mani, newly employed office worker from Kerala, Calcutta, February 1945

(source: Telegraph Thursday, October 27, 2005)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with N.S. Mani )

… a pair of trousers and shoes for Rs 15

I made my first trip to Calcutta from Cochin in a third-class compartment of Howrah Mail. The ticket cost Rs 13.

I put up at a hotel owned by south Indians on Lake Road where a dormitory bed and two meals a day cost Rs 12 per month. At a departmental store in Esplanade, which is still there, I purchased a shirt and a pair of trousers and shoes for Rs 15.

First-class tram fare from Lake Market to Dalhousie was one anna then.

(N.S. Mani, newly employed office worker from Kerala, Calcutta, February 1945

(source: Telegraph Thursday, October 27, 2005)

(COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Reproduced under 'fair dealing' terms as part of a non commercial educational research project. The copyright remains with N.S. Mani )

Small change

Albert Augustus Crisp , Royal Air Force, Comilla, 1942-3

(source: A6781584 Walthamstow Wanderer 3 at BBC WW2 People's War' on http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/ Oct 2006)

(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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Shopping

Introduction

Shopping

_____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

_____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

Shopping in India

SHOPPING

WHERE TO GET IT

Addresses of Department Stores & Retail Establishments in 1940

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 227-236 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

THAT MINOR SPORT - BARGAINING

SHOPPING HINTS FOR ANY STORE

_____Memories of 1940s Calcutta_________________________

Mending Grammophones

Kitty Calcutt, Nurse, Comilla to Calcutta, mid 1940s

Running on Rum

Allan Grieve, Army, on the west side of the Irrawaddy River, 1944

to Calcutta on a 'grog run'

John Vickers, Royal Air Force, Tulihal & Calcutta, 1944

Return from a ‘grog run’

John Vickers, Royal Air Force, Tulihal & Calcutta, 1945

I was told to buy as many cigarettes as I could

Stan Martin, soldier, Calcutta, early 1942-3

_____Memories of 1940s Calcutta_______________________

The Markets

_____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

Calcutta's New Market

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

G.I.s shopping

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Stall in New Market

Clyde Waddell, US military man, personal press photographer of Lord Louis Mountbatten, and news photographer on Phoenix magazine. Calcutta, mid 1940s

Newmarket

Richard Beard, US Army Lieutenant Psychologist with 142 US military hospital. Calcutta,

Merchant and child in Calcutta's New Market

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

Christmastime decorations for sale in Calcutta's New Market

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

Christmastime decorations for sale in New Market

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

More activity in the New Market at Christmastime

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

_____Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta___

splendid system of municipal markets

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source page 3 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

SIR STUART HOGG MARKET

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 141-146 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

NEW MARKET

Value of Articles from 1 Seer to 1 Maund at -/8/- to Rs. 40 per Maund.

Value of Articles from 1 Seer to 1 Maund at -/8/- to Rs. 40 per Maund.

John Barry, journalist, Calcutta, 1939/40

(source pages 141-146 of John Barry: “Calcutta 1940” Calcutta: Central Press, 1940.)

_____Memories of 1940s Calcutta_______________________

We had heard about it so were anxious to go there first.

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

Everything a person could ever need was available there

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

Dressed as civilians we bargained

Kitty Calcutt, Nurse, Kalimpong Calcutta, October 1945

This of course is nothing to do with pigs

Leonard Charles Irvine, 4393843, Royal Air Force Flt Sgt Nav, Calcutta, 1945

The fish

Tarun Kumar, actor. Calcutta, late 1940s

Entally

Mike Devery, schoolboy. Calcutta, 1940s

(source: Internet communications September 2004)

Daddy and the box

Leonard Charles Irvine, 4393843, Royal Air Force Flt Sgt Nav, Calcutta, 1945

Bazaars

_____Pictures of 1940s Calcutta________________________

Calcutta business scene on a street northwest of Dalhousie Square

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

Phonographs offered for sale in Calcutta

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

Noel Hepp, U. S. serviceman from Troy, New York, negotiates a price on an ice cream freezer from a young vendor in a stall along a Calcutta street

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

Calcutta's poor

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta_____________________

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_

_Memories of 1940s Calcutta___________________

_Pictures of 1940s Calcutta____________________

Malcolm Moncrieff Stuart, I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service) District Magistrate 24 Parganas, Calcutta,6^th December 1946

___Contemporary Records of or about 1940s Calcutta_