A Legacy lost and found

Harry Hobbs, an unsung hero lived in Kolkata in the 19th and 20th century. A master raconteur he has left an incredible archive.

Back home in England the four homes occupied by his progeny are called Chingrikhal which was the place he went for hunting with his buddies in Kolkata.

His great grand daughter Catherine Tucker came to Calcutta to retrace his footsteps. A day in Dalhousie and she managed to locate the house where he lived and worked. A day trip to Diamond Harbour, we found the ruins of Chingri Khal now popularly called Kellar Math.

Ravaged by the River there are some outposts half submerged. On the ground were broken pieces of bricks, ceramic pipes, some stone pebbles encased in cement, the way forts were built then?

We almost never went because there was a prediction of high tide. We went just in case and returned elated. The tide hadnt come in. C goes back happy with work accomplished. Excited about further possibilities of rediscover.

A shout out for Devasis Chattopadhyay and Sohail Shaikh for incredible guidance. GM Kapur thanks for connecting us.

Niyogi Books Nandini Roy Chowdhury for making the books available

This place is going to become a military outpost and they say they will keep the fort