Space-time Perspectives of the Centenarian Sweetmeat Shops in North and Central Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Geographers regard 'space and time' as the principal domains for geographical inquiry. Space-time geography focuses on the relationship between space and time in various geographical phenomena. Spatial analysis in research contributes to inclusive geographical analysis. Implementing the concepts of space-time geography for century-old sweetmeat shops considers both historical and geographical factors that influence location and accessibility over time. The establishment of a business is determined by its location, which in turn is determined by the maximum number of benefits. Sweetmeat is profoundly rooted in Kolkata's gastronomic identity. Owing to the city's rich culinary legacy dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there is a cluster of century-old sweetmeat shops in North and Central Kolkata. The colonial Calcutta acted as a melting pot for the development of sweetmeat shops. Exploring Kolkata's sweetmeat shops is a journey through time and tradition. In the fast-changing urban landscape, these century-old sweetmeat shops have become an integral part of the city. In this study, following a comprehensive literature review, using qualitative methodology, and applying the concept of space-time geography, four aspects have been identified for its establishment and have contributed to the success of centenarian sweetmeat shops in North and Central Kolkata.