View source for Bow Barracks

{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{refimprove|date=July 2013}}
[[Image:Bow Barracks.JPG|thumb|right|200 px|Bow barracks]]
[[Image:Bowbarracks christmas.JPG|thumb|right|200 px|Bow barracks on the eve of Christmas]]
'''Bow Barracks''' is a locality in the central [[Kolkata]] region.
The locality is a small hub of mainly [[Anglo-Indian]] population who have lived here for generations.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |title=Estate, 90, under threat |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Mita |last2=Mandal |first2=Sanjay|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050928/asp/calcutta/story_5286862.asp  |newspaper=The Telegraph|date=September 28, 2005 |access-date=January 15, 2012}}</ref> The families living here do not pay any rent for their stay in Bow Barracks as the building is owned by the [[Kolkata Improvement Trust|KIT]] and they have refused to accept a meagre amount of '''₹30''' paid as rent throughout the years without any increment in rent by the families for their stay.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rehabilitation-of-bow-barracks-residents-hangs-in-balance/398600/|title=Rehabilitation of Bow Barracks residents hangs in balance - Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> The government has declared this building [http://www.livemint.com/Politics/ysLEBo7ZNwYHNX4Ht6936M/Infrastructure-plans-stall-as-developers-shy-away-from-bids.html ‘unsafe’, dangerous] and plans are afoot to build a highrise and other structures in its place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_PASTISSUES2&Type=text/html&Path=TOIKM/2007/05/26&ID=Ar06200|title=Rain-Bow Barracks!|website=epaper.timesofindia.com|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref>

== Location ==
Bow Barracks is located in central Kolkata &mdash; just behind the [[Bowbazar]] police station, off the [[Chittaranjan Avenue|Central Avenue (now Chittaranjan Avenue)]].

[[Image:Bowbarr5acks christmas1.JPG|thumb|200 px|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, Kolkata|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]]'', 2004 film named after this locality.

== References ==
{{commons category|Bow Barracks}}
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{{Kolkata neighbourhoods}}

{{coord missing|West Bengal}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Kolkata]]


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