Calcutta history: Harry Hobbs, British piano tuner, and forgotten chronicler of the city

When the elderly Sir Frederick Roberts was Commander-in-Chief of the British-Indian Army in 1885, Kolkata was the imperial capital of India. The city was the headquarters of the British government during the winter months. During summer, the government operated out of Shimla, where the weather was cooler and more palatable to the English.

On this wintry Sunday morning, St Peter’s Church inside Fort William was the cynosure of the congregation, and the weekly Church Parade was the highlight of the season. Those who were not in uniform donned top hats and frock coats. Held every Sunday, the parade was a social event not to be missed!

A score of horse-drawn carriages and a couple of cavalry mount horses were waiting on the periphery of the church lawn. They were to take their masters and mistresses to their respective homes, or to Spence’s or Wilson’s hotels, for a languid Sunday meal. They would have to wait a while, for after the service, everyone who was anyone assembled outside the church for a chat and to exchange social niceties. Ordinary folk stood around and gazed in awe.

Among those present was Tommy Hayes. He had been brought in from London by the Great Eastern Hotel to run...

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