View Of River Hooghly, Calcutta - Print

DESCRIPTION

This is a vintage photograph of Hooghly river, an arm of the Ganges River in West Bengal state of northeastern India. It provides access to Kolkata from the Bay of Bengal.
It is formed by the junction of the Bhagirathi and Jalangi rivers at Nabadwip. The river was an important transport route which made the port an important trade hub. The Dutch, Danish, British, French, Belgian and German trade activities flourished in this area.
Eventually, British dominance was able to edge out other European competition. In 1690, Job Charnock, shifted the British trading hub from the Hooghly town to Calcutta, which was closer to the Bay of Bengal.
This photograph shows a ghat on River Hooghly. The numerous boats and vessels stand testament to the river's importance as a trade and transport channel.