War and Calcutta - A Dalhousie trail

Even after Calcutta ceased to be a capital of India, it was still the principal European city and a most important link in their trade and military interests in South Asia. This made it an obvious target for the Axis powers in the Second World War. The area of Dalhousie, which was the centre of European activity, became a direct hit zone as Japanese planes showed up with bombs in tow! As part of this tour, we shall go back in time and uncover the history of this heritage site and its tryst with a war being battled far away in European fields and Pacific waters. Towards the fag end of days when Calcutta was still known as Second City of the Empire, the city witnessed air raids, blackouts, anti-aircraft guns and fighter planes taking off from main civilian avenues! Calcutta in the 1940s was always in chaos. Along with the darkness of War came tragic events of epic proportions such as a catastrophic famine and violent communal riots just before India’s independence. It can be said today that the 40s was easily the city’s most violent decade. Being located in a heritage zone, this tour also observes the grand colonial structures as we explore the architectural legacy of Dalhousie and reflect upon their place in history. This is a tour of the grand colonial city caught up in its most turbulent times. This is the Calcutta at War tour!