The Black Hole Monument is a controversial part of the Indian History; an atrocity that befell its victims.
To know about the actual history of the Black Hole Monument in Kolkata, we are to travel back to the past, during the British rule in India. The British rein in India was memorable and a plethora of chest thumping as well as awful events and incidents took place during this historic dispensation in the city. One British survivor, John Holwell, elicits and helps to unravel the mystery behind the construction of the monument known as the black hole. This has been the only source of information that witnessed the actual incident and was a living witness.
He states that owing to the siege of Calcutta siraj – ud – daulah, 146 people were captivated as prisoners and were confined in a room that measured about 14 feet by 8 feet. The temperature of the place, the ventilation of the area was intolerable and hence, 123 people perished and lost their lives over there, owing to heat stroke and extreme suffocation. Immense luck was bestowed upon the remaining 23 who were fortunately able to survive in this condition that was in a Pell mell. The Black Hole Monument is counted among other architectural extravagances of the nation especially of the British Empire.
Later, John Holwell became the Governor of Bengal and the Black Hole Monument earned fame and repute in the city of passion , palaces and joy . Criticisms and controversies were there as the filth in the air as some did not agree upon whatever john holwell did opine. it is surprising or rather shocking to know that it is believed that somehow the British’s were able to escape through a few secret tunnels attached to river ports and save their lives there after .the ritishes who survived were then sent to Madras with the help of ships awaiting on the port of the river Hooghly .
It was completely ironical for the British themselves to state the number of prisoners who lost their lives but being the direct and living witness of this kerfuffle and this bedlam condition their accounts had to be taken into serious consideration by the rest of the population and the historians. In fact, John Howell was the person who endeavoured to build a monument upon that specific place. Further research had off course been done upon the matter. A plethora of archaeological research works had been conducted after putting down John Holwell’s words. This is all about putting together the pieces of puzzle in a juxta position to reframe the history of the Black Hole Monument.
The history of the Black Hole Monument in Kolkata is rare and is uniquely interesting as well. the further research work acts as the ‘icing on the cake ‘ where as the arguments upon John Holwell’s opinion and the criticisms act as ‘ cherry on top ‘ . Though the specific incident had been a tragic one and massive life loss occurred in the city, this has been recorded as one of the most historic events of utmost significance in the pages of history. It is sometimes said the monument disappeared around 1822 to e rebuilt by Lord Curzon.
Under the firmament of pandemonium in the country this was a real topsy turvy of the contemporary condition. The monument is said to e rebuilt y lord Curzon in the year 1901 in the south west corner of the writers building .this complete building, shifting, relocating and rebuilding was going on during the height of the Indian freedom and independence movement in 1940. This was never stable during the British rule and was again relocated y the then dispensation into the st John’s church compound. The dungeon and the prisoners of war with their sufferings did create a whole new portion of history and added to the heritage and cloture of India. This makes a special place in the pages of the history books and in the warmest nooks of our hearts.