Recollections of Calcutta for Over Half a Century
📘 About This Book
Excerpt: ...From there they changed over to next door in Canning Street which had formerly been occupied by Finlay Muir & Co., and thence, as we all know, to the very handsome block of buildings which they have erected on the site of Gladstone Wyllie & Co.'s old offices. Ernsthausen & Co., or Ernsthausen & Oesterly as they were originally styled in the days when I first knew them, had their offices in Strand Road to the south of Commercial Buildings, now incorporated with the premises of Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co. Subsequently they removed to Royal Exchange Place, where they remained for a number of years, in a building formerly occupied by a very well known firm of Greek merchants of the name of Schilizzi & Co., and now by Prankissen Law & Co. They then went to a building next to Jardine Skinner & Co. to the south, which some time before had been newly erected, but which has since been pulled down to make room for the handsome premises of the Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Co., Ltd. They finally came to anchor in their present location. When Birkmyre Bros first established themselves here under the management of Sir Archy Birkmyre's uncle, with Mr. Patterson as assistant, who later on took charge of the Hooghly Mills, and finally of Jardine Skinner & Co.'s two mills, they occupied rooms on the first floor of 23 or 24, Strand Road, North. It was here I negotiated with them the very first contract that was ever passed in Calcutta for hessian cloth for shipment to America. I forget how long they remained there until they removed to their present offices. I may here mention that they first of all commenced operations with the machinery of an old mill which they had been running at home for some time previously, and which they shipped out stock and block to Calcutta, and erected on the site of the present Hastings Mill. Graham & Co., on their first arrival in Calcutta, occupied 14, Old Court House Lane, and...
📖 Summary
Recollections of Calcutta for Over Half a Century by Montague Massey offers readers a deeply personal and observational journey through the decades of a rapidly evolving colonial metropolis. Published in 2012, this historical work pulls from the author's extensive memories to chronicle the physical, commercial, and social shifts that transformed Calcutta over the course of more than fifty years. Rather than presenting a dry, academic timeline of events, the text functions as a guided tour through the streets, offices, and landmarks of a bygone era, capturing the daily rhythms of trade and urban life. The excerpted portions of the book demonstrate Massey's remarkable attention to topographical and corporate detail. He meticulously traces the migration and evolution of prominent business houses, merchant firms, and financial institutions across specific addresses such as Canning Street, Strand Road, and Royal Exchange Place. Through his recollections, the reader witnesses how companies like Ernsthausen and Oesterly shifted locations, absorbed older establishments, and paved the way for the architectural and commercial landmarks that defined the city's skyline. These accounts reveal a landscape of constant transition, where old offices belonging to historical merchants made way for grander blocks of modern enterprise. Beyond mere geography, the book serves as a social register of the expatriate and merchant communities that operated within British India. Massey documents the names, partnerships, and spatial movements of the commercial elite, painting a vivid picture of a tightly knit mercantile network. The detailed descriptions of buildings previously occupied by Greek merchants, major shipping lines, and trading agencies highlight the cosmopolitan nature of Calcutta during this extended era. The narrative serves as an invaluable window into the urban infrastructure that supported the British Empire's commercial ambitions in the region. Ultimately, Recollections of Calcutta for Over Half a Century is a meticulous archival treasure that preserves the vanishing landmarks of a major historical hub. It rewards the patient reader with a granular look at how a city is built, unbuilt, and reimagined block by block over generations. By anchoring history to specific streets and buildings, Massey ensures that the physical and commercial memory of colonial Calcutta survives for contemporary historians and enthusiasts alike.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Provides exceptionally detailed local and corporate history.
Offers a rare, firsthand perspective on urban development in colonial Calcutta.
Traces the exact movements and histories of prominent merchant firms.
Serves as an invaluable reference tool for local historians.
⚠️ Cons
Can feel overly dense or granular for casual readers.
Lacks a broad narrative arc, focusing instead on observational accounts.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Recollections of Calcutta for Over Half a Century? +
The book was written by Montague Massey.
When was this edition of the book published? +
This edition was published in 2012.
What is the primary focus of the book? +
It focuses on the historical, commercial, and physical evolution of Calcutta over a period of more than fifty years.
What kinds of details does Massey include in his recollections? +
He includes specific street names, building addresses, and the relocations of prominent mercantile firms and businesses.
Who will find this book most interesting? +
History enthusiasts, urban planners, and researchers interested in the colonial history and architecture of Calcutta.
