Ethnicity, Migration, and the Urban Landscape of Kolkata

Contents: Foreword. Messages. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction and theoretical basis. 2. The evolution of Kolkata. 3. The physical landscape. 4. The social landscape. 5. Conclusions. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

"The book traces the evolution of the physical and social landscape of Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, from pre-colonial to contemporary times as moulded by ethnicity and migration. From simple beginnings consisting of three small villages located along the Hugli River in the Gangetic Deltaic region of Bengal, the city of Calcutta grew to be the capital of British India and the political, economic and social hub of India, attracting migrants from many ethnic groups. Following Independence in 1947, the city became the state capital of West Bengal and the next few decades saw much urban decline, as well as the mass influx of migrants and refugees.

Much has been written about Kolkata and much of what has been written has dealt with urban social decline. There is, however, relatively scanty literature about the impact of ethnicity and in-migration on the urban landscape of this remarkable mega city with reference to contemporary geographical landscape studies. Aspects considered in the book include urban space, architecture and the built environment, socio-economic aspects and demography. The book is based on the author\'s report on her post-doctoral research as a Senior Fellow of the ICSSR and encompasses a survey of 300 respondents of different ethnic and migrant groups within the area covered by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. It is lavishly illustrated with photographs and diagrams, all combining to produce a cultural vision of great diversity as far as landscape is concerned." (jacket)