A former resident traces the history of the company town shoemakers Bata founded near Kolkata

According to Scroll.in, a new book titled 'Batanagar: A Personal History of India’s Forgotten Company Town' by Paramita Sen offers a detailed look into the history of the industrial township established by the Bata shoe company near Kolkata. The narrative traces the evolution of the settlement, which was built to house the workers of the Bata factory, reflecting the broader history of industrialization and labor in West Bengal.

The book explores the unique social fabric of Batanagar, examining how the company town model shaped the lives of its residents over several decades. By blending personal memoir with historical research, Sen documents the rise and eventual decline of the township's prominence, providing insight into the intersection of corporate planning and community development in 20th-century India.

This account serves as a record of a specific era in India's industrial landscape, highlighting the legacy of company-led urban development. The work is noted for its focus on the lived experiences of former residents, capturing the cultural shifts that occurred as the town transitioned from a bustling manufacturing hub to a historical site of interest.