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
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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.
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The locals were amused with his unique long beard and started calling him "Beard Sahib" rather than his own surname.
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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.
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The name testifies still to the city's humor, combining colonial history with indigenous wit.
2. Sukeas Lane – A Mystery Name
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Near College Street, Sukeas Lane is one of the more enigmatic street names of Kolkata.
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This is how "Sukeas" came to be, and historians have suggested various theories.
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There is a theory that it is derived from Bengali slang that means very little or of no consequence.
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Others opine it was named after a person named Sukumar, although his tale has receded into the past.
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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
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Nominated previously as Harrington Street, this street was renamed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during the Vietnam War.
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The renaming was symbolic protest because the street is home to the American Consulate.
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Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese revolutionary, was chosen by Kolkata's Leftist government in honor, which is indicative of the city's political activism.
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The renaming was a part of an effort to bring Kolkata more into sync with international socialist ideologies.
4. Duel Avenue – A Historic Battleground
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Duel Avenue is where the Kolkata Armed Police Headquarters is today, but its name comes from a sensational colonial duel.
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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.
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The row became a formal duel, during which Hastings shot Francis, although he managed to survive.
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Hastings subsequently won his impeachment trial, and his place in British India was cemented.
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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
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Present-day New Market, this classic shopping hub, was originally named in honor of Sir Stuart Hogg, the chairman of the Calcutta Corporation.
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People locally mispronounced it as "Hawk Market", causing confusion.
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To avoid confusion, the name was formally changed to New Market, although it is still known as Hogg Market by older inhabitants.
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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
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Jessore Road is an ancient link between India and Bangladesh, which derives its name from Jessore in Bangladesh's Khulna district.
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The road has been around since the 12th century when it was used by Turkish invaders to invade Bengal.
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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.
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The road today continues to reflect Indo-Bangladesh relations, bearing tales of migration, conflict, and survival.
Future Outlook and Cultural Significance
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The streets of Kolkata continue to hold history, giving a glimpse of colonial influences, political movements, and local folklore.
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A bid to document and preserve these names keeps their tales alive for generations to come.
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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
