Forgotten American City in Bengal

During World War II, the United States Army Air Force built a large, self-contained city called Hastings Air Base in Rishra, West Bengal, India.

This base was created inside an old jute mill and served as the headquarters for U.S. air operations in Asia.

Over 6,000 American military personnel and nearly 4,000 Indian workers lived and worked there.

The base had its own electricity, water purification, kitchens, communication systems, and even a small American department store.

The Americans brought modern amenities like refrigeration and organized leisure activities.

After the war ended in 1945, the base was dismantled, but the jute mill still stands today.

The site is a reminder of the unique wartime experiment and its impact on local culture.