SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis deals with the municipal markets of Calcutta City hut examines in detail only three of these institutions - Hogg Market, Gariahat Market and Manicktala Market. These three markets have been chosen as representing markets of different scales and rather different types. The study discusses first the historical and spatial context of the three markets by examining their historical evolution and the marketing geography of Calcutta City as a whole. There follows a detailed description of the three chosen markets, using published and unpublished material and presenting the author's field research. The impact of the markets on their respective neighbourhoods is noted and an attempt is made to determine the related shopping area around each market. Comparisons are then drawn to show the similarities and dissimilarities between the three markets and between the municipal and non-municipal markets of Calcutta. The thesis also looks at the future prospects of the municipal markets of Calcutta in general and of Hogg Market in particular. Finally, some of the ideas and suggested lines of inquiry which seem to emerge from the thesis are indicated.