A realm of cultures and ‘adda’ redefined through the conservation of sir stuart hogg market, Kolkata

Abstract

A market is not only a place for commerce, but also a social space for human interactions. Some are organic, some organized and some, specifically developed for the purpose of trade and commerce. The history and value of bazaars/markets in India was derived in the research paper of the previous semester and the denouement was used as a base for this thesis. India, being an ancient civilization had developed and practiced trade both nationally and internationally, and these had lead to the growth of bazaars and markets under the influence of different rulers and traders. Kolkata as a settlement is also quite old and some associative and historic entities happen to be bazaars or markets which continue to deliver and grow with the growth of population and demand. Initially organic, some markets developed into organized ones, whereas some, came up as dedicated markets, especially with the advent of the English East India Company. Every market is associated with its own history and character, and sits in considerably different settings, even though in the same city. Due to the constantly changing demands, footfall, tastes etc., many of these are facing threats of damage and extinction. There is a constant debate as to why should the old markets be conserved and what value they add to the existing city, which itself is under constant change. The city is also quite famous for its ‘Adda’ culture. One of the markets, which not only was specifically designed to be a market, but also catered to the recreational part of it happens to be the Sir Stuart Hogg Market, which serves as the study area for this thesis. The aim of this thesis is to identify the present cultural perspective, highlight its present scenario, look at it through the lens of history, identify the issues it faces today and propose a conservation management plan, that not only keeps the picture of the past intact but also caters to the needs of the future.