The Cemetery at Park Street in Calcutta where Memories of the Raj Thrive
Updated on April 9, 2019
An Unforgettable Relic
The British came to India under the guise of the East India Company and soon by a series of Machiavellian steps took control of an entire sub-continent. After Robert Clive won the Battle of Plassey in 1757, it was the Raj (a euphuism for British rule) all the way. At that time the British made Calcutta their capital and it continued till 1911 when they shifted the capital to Delhi.
Many Englishmen served and died in Calcutta and their mortal remains were interred in the cemeteries of the city. One of the most famous is the cemetery at Park Street in the heart of Calcutta. This cemetery is looked after by the Archeological Survey of India ( ASI), another British creation.
The cemetery
The cemetery is hidden from the main Park Street which is the entertainment district of Calcutta with a string of bars and restaurants. The cemetery stands behind an imposing wrought iron gate. There are not many visitors. The cemetery is in disuse since 1790. This is a good 225 years back, yet its well maintained and for history lovers a treasure house of great information. Known as the Park Street Cemetery it's a site worth visiting for a tourist. In just 30 minutes you will glean more about the history of Calcutta and the Raj than any book.
Every sinew of the cemetery breathes history and men of the Raj who distinguished themselves find a place here. There is, however, a subtle difference from a normal cemetery and one fact that stands out is that it is a non- Christian cemetery. This makes the entire monument a different place to visit. In other words, it is an exciting place.
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