Bow Barracks

বো ব্যারাক

A lane of red-brick blocks, home to an Anglo-Indian community and its Christmas.

About Bow Barracks

These three-storey brick blocks with green shutters were built as a garrison mess for soldiers during the First World War and later let out as flats. They became the best-known Anglo-Indian neighbourhood in the city, with Chinese, Goan and other families alongside. In Christmas week the lane is strung with lights and holds a street party with music, dancing, home-made wine and cake.

Why visit

A complete, lived-in piece of early twentieth-century Calcutta.

What to see and do

The red-brick blocks and shuttered windows
Christmas decorations and the street festival in late December
The Buddhist temple at the end of the lane

Plan your visit

Area: Bowbazar & Old Chinatown, Central Kolkata
Nearest landmark: Bowbazar police crossing, off Central Avenue
Best time: Morning or evening. Christmas week (23 to 31 December) for the festival; any time for the architecture.
Time needed: About 20 minutes
Cost: Free
Entry: Open to everyone: a street, ghat, market or park you can walk into. A public lane between private homes. Stay in the lane.
Metro: Central (Blue Line), about 5 minutes’ walk
Walking: Little walking
Photography: Good for photography.

Tip

This is a residential lane, not a monument. Walk through quietly, do not enter stairways or photograph residents without asking.

Nearby and related places

Bauddha Dharmankur Sabha: The 1892 monastery that gave Buddhist Temple Street its name.
Tiretta Bazaar Chinese Breakfast: Momos, pork buns and fish-ball soup sold on the pavement at dawn.
Firingi Kalibari: The Kali temple linked to a Portuguese-descended poet of Bengali song.
Sea Ip Church: A Chinese clan temple from 1905, called a church.
Toong On Church: A red-brick Chinese temple that once housed the city’s first Chinese restaurant.
Bhim Chandra Nag: An 1826 sweet shop, home of the ledikeni.

Walks that include it

Old Chinatown Exploration: Clan temples, brick barracks and a Kali for a Portuguese poet

More guides

Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.