Bow Barracks

Bow barracks on the eve of Christmas

Bow Barracks is a locality in the central Calcutta region. The locality is a small hub of Anglo-Indian population who have lived here for generations.

Location

Bow Barracks is located in central Kolkata — just behind the Bowbazar police station, off the Central Avenue.

the Christmas tree

The easiest way to get to Bow Barracks irrespective of the distance is to catch an underground train at the Kolkata Metro. Central Avenue and Chandni Chowk are two metro stations that will get you within a 2 minute walk of Bow Barracks.

It is a narrow lane between Hare Street and Bohu Bazaar police station. The place, named Bow Barrack is in central Kolkata, on Central Avenue. The narrow lane is bordered by six blocks of three-storeyed buildings, which look old but hardy. Their red brick color appear a bit shabby. The green windows frame gay curtains that catch the light breeze now and then.

The Bow Barracks was a garrison's mess built for the army during World War I. But there are no written records to prove these facts. When the soldiers left India, they handed over the apartments to the Anglo Indians who took them on rent. Today, 132 families live in the Barracks. Of them, 80 percent of the residents are Anglo Indians. It has acquired a reputation of sorts for its Christmas celebrations.

See also

• Bow Barracks Forever - a film named after this locality.