Calcutta 1945......Not Kolkata

Flower vendors on sidewalk in front of burning ghats (crematory) in Calcutta, 1945."

Heart of Calcutta's ""business district,"" 1945. This is the home of Whiteaway and Laidlaw, an excellent department store. It carried well-made British clothing and accessories along with the best of available Indian merchandise. It was the ""Times Square"" of Calcutta on Chowringee Road."

Streetside stall on Bentinck Street, downtown area of Calcutta, 1945

Traffic on Hooghly River bridge from Calcutta to Howrah Station, 1945"

Calcutta traffic officer at major city intersection. His ""sandwich board"" carried the order to ""STOP"" or to ""GO"" depending on which way he faced. He also used hand and arm signals to enforce the sign. His cap was brilliant red and his jacket and pants were white. Leggings were tan. He stood on the cut-down steel drum, a real figure of authority, 1945."

American combat veterans boarding troopship in Calcutta harbor for trip home after end of WWII, fall 1945. Trip required almost three months, including stop at Ceylon. Route was up through Suez Canal, the Med. Sea and across Atlantic. These images made with cheap camera, so not as sharp as could be desired, but they are authentic."

Nimatalla gufat entrance. Hooghly River, Calcutta, 1944."

Hindu ""holy man"" with belt of skulls. Strand Road, Calcutta, 1944."

Calcutta street scene, 1944."

Tram terminal at the Esplanade, Chowringhee Road, ""Downtown"" Calcutta, 1944"

Busy Calcutta Street scene, 1945.