Ranabir Ray Choudhury, the prior journalist of The Statesman, is one of the most riveting and engaging writers to read! He has published various books specifically about Calcutta, and every one of them is imbibed with immense details, that he has painstakingly uncovered, through intense research. If you are interested to discover facts about the city of Calcutta, here are some books that you must read!
A City in the Making: Aspects of Calcutta’s Early Growth
Using archival records, Ranabir Ray Choudhury explores the development of Calcutta, from the time that Job Charnock first landed on the banks of the Hooghly river in 1690. There are three parts to this book: the first part traces the growth of the city from 1690 onwards till 1756. The second part of the book takes the narrative forward and discusses the developments of the city in the 18th century.
The Lord Sahib’s House
The Government House in Bengal was made 250 years ago! This is where the Viceroy and the Governer general of India, used to reside in the 19th century. Choudhury traces the history of this fascinating building, how it came to be and how it has functioned and changed over the years. This book is a must-read and gives a fascinating account of a building that played a key role in the politics of the country, but we know so little about it. This building was a hallmark of colonial governance!
Glimpses of Old Calcutta
This book is an authentic riveting account, giving deep insights into Calcutta. In this book, he has compiled articles from the Englishman and the Friend of India from the time period, 1836-50. Taking up various items, and denoting instances involving famous personalities, about Calcutta.
The Shaping of Modern Calcutta: The Lottery Committee
This is Choudhury’s latest book! Following Lord Wellesley's departure, the Lottery Committee was created in Calcutta in 1817. It carried out town planning work with the assistance of the government. The Lottery Committee was given that name because it raised funds through public lotteries which were used for urban planning. Choudhury gives immense details about how this voluntary committee was created, and how their work was used to plan and create Calcutta. This study reflects how the city had changed massively and grew rapidly.
So which of these books have grabbed your attention? Grab your copy now!
