Kolkata’s Weirdest Street Names and Their Fascinating Stories

Image Source: Travel-India.com

Kolkata, the city rich in history, culture, and colonial legacy, boasts of some of the most bizarre street names, each with a characteristic backstory. These names are an expression of the city's idiosyncrasies, legends, and historical occurrences over centuries. Be it British-era sarcasm or political significance, Kolkata's streets are living museums, guarding stories of commerce, revolution, and cultural transition.

1. Beard Sahib Lane – A Tribute to Facial Hair

There, in Bowbazar, lies Beard Sahib Lane, one of the city's funniest-named streets. The origin of the name lies in John Beards, a British administrator in colonial times.
The locals were amused with his unique long beard and started calling him "Beard Sahib" rather than his own surname.
The street where he lived eventually came to be called Beard Sahib Lane, a reflection of Kolkata's habit of creative improvisations on foreign elements.
The name testifies still to the city's humor, combining colonial history with indigenous wit.

2. Sukeas Lane – A Mystery Name

Near College Street, Sukeas Lane is one of the more enigmatic street names of Kolkata.
This is how "Sukeas" came to be, and historians have suggested various theories.
There is a theory that it is derived from Bengali slang that means very little or of no consequence.
Others opine it was named after a person named Sukumar, although his tale has receded into the past.
The street is important because it leads to College Street, the thinking circle of Kolkata, a hub for bookstores, libraries, and academia.

3. Ho Chi Minh Sarani – A Political Statement

Nominated previously as Harrington Street, this street was renamed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during the Vietnam War.
The renaming was symbolic protest because the street is home to the American Consulate.
Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese revolutionary, was chosen by Kolkata's Leftist government in honor, which is indicative of the city's political activism.
The renaming was a part of an effort to bring Kolkata more into sync with international socialist ideologies.

4. Duel Avenue – A Historic Battleground

Duel Avenue is where the Kolkata Armed Police Headquarters is today, but its name comes from a sensational colonial duel.
In 1780, Warren Hastings, the first governor of the Bengal Presidency, and Philip Francis, a member of the Bengal Supreme Council, found themselves at odds over policy differences.
The row became a formal duel, during which Hastings shot Francis, although he managed to survive.
Hastings subsequently won his impeachment trial, and his place in British India was cemented.
The name of the street is a reminder of the fierce political rivalries that characterized colonial rule.

5. Hogg Market – A Name Lost in Translation

Present-day New Market, this classic shopping hub, was originally named in honor of Sir Stuart Hogg, the chairman of the Calcutta Corporation.
People locally mispronounced it as "Hawk Market", causing confusion.
To avoid confusion, the name was formally changed to New Market, although it is still known as Hogg Market by older inhabitants.
The name confusion is a reflection of Kolkata's multicultural roots when English and Bengali influences are entwined.

6. Jessore Road – A Cross-Border Link

Jessore Road is an ancient link between India and Bangladesh, which derives its name from Jessore in Bangladesh's Khulna district.
The road has been around since the 12th century when it was used by Turkish invaders to invade Bengal.
It became internationally recognized as the subject of Allen Ginsberg's poem "September on Jessore Road" based on the experience of East Bengali refugees following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
The road today continues to reflect Indo-Bangladesh relations, bearing tales of migration, conflict, and survival.

Future Outlook and Cultural Significance

The streets of Kolkata continue to hold history, giving a glimpse of colonial influences, political movements, and local folklore.
A bid to document and preserve these names keeps their tales alive for generations to come.
The city's fusion of humour, activism, and historical complexity gives its street names more than geographical significance—they are portals to Kolkata's soul.

Sources: Travel.india.com, hoegrown.co.in, Telegraph India