May 1, 2009

Life in Calcutta (Kolkata) - 1944 Part - 1

The Hensley Collection is a collection of photographs taken during Second World War by an American serviceman, Glenn S. Hensley. The photographs, numbering almost 600, were given to the University of Chicago Library by the photographer. The text with the images is taken from notes written by Mr. Hensley himself.

The images include a rich collection of photographs taken in Calcutta (Kolkata) during 1943-1944 by Mr. Hensley, a professional photographer participating in the surveillance of the Japanese in Burma for the U.S. Army. During his off-duty time Mr. Hensley used his ethnographer's eye to capture daily life in a number of locations around India. The majority of the images are from Calcutta and its environs. Other locations in this collection are Madras (Chennai), Kharagpur, Agra, and Burma. The photographs and notes were prepared by Hensley for his wife to use in teaching world history courses in Missouri during Second World War.

Craftsman works on pipe near Nakhoda Mosque

Craftsman at work in sidewalk stall

Christmastime decorations for sale in Calcutta's New Market, December

Christmastime decorations for sale in Calcutta's New Market, December

Carrying a piano through the Maidan. Buildings in background are along today's Esplande Row East

Calcutta (Kolkata) New Market at Christmastime

Marketplace

Construction Work

Bamboo basket maker

Balance scale in use in warehouse district not far from Howrah Bridge