What is described as The Black Hole Of Calcutta?

This place, with the frightening name, was an actual room in the major city of Calcutta, India. In 1756, British prisoners were held in a “guard” room and many died from causes as varied as suffocation, crushing from being overcrowded and the intolerable heat. Information about this infamous place comes from people who supposedly witnessed it and from legend that surrounded the death of the prisoners.

There is a considerable amount of history behind the stories, beginning with the establishment of Fort William. The major trading company, British East India, was established and conducted a lot of business in the Bengal region of India. This commercial activity needed protection so the British set up military posts for that purpose.

According to most historical records, the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah the ruler at the time, wanted the company and its military activities to stop. He was especially upset that the British were trying to become involved in the governing of his region. Siraj reportedly used his troops to attacked the fort. The small number of men left behind when others escaped were commanded by John Z. Holwell. The fort was taken over by the troops of Siraj.

Some have questioned the stories about the Black Hole of Calcutta. In fact, some historians and researchers think the incident may not have happened. These critics suggest that the stories are myth, created to make Siraj appear more diabolical. Holwell wrote his own story of the incidents at Fort William, during which about 69 British soldiers and a number of others of Anglo/Indian descent were captured.

Holwell wrote that 123 of 146 prisoners died, after being stuffed into a room that was less than 20 feet square. The few survivors were released the following morning. The British erected a monument to those who died at the site.

History records that the room was intended as a temporary guard room where two or three men could be held. Two small windows were covered with heavy metal bars. There was little ventilation for men inside and guards provided only a small amount of water, which did little to help the dozens of men packed into the room. Some died from being trampled as others fought to get to the windows or to the little water that was available.

There is still some doubt as the authenticity of the accounts. Historians also question whether Siraj himself was responsible for the incident or if some junior officers under his command caused it to happen. Holwell’s account is the only written narrative of the 1756 incident, which leaves much room for interpretation, according to researchers. One of the key factors that is discounted – the number of men supposedly pushed into a room that was about 18 feet wide and 24 feet long. Those who have studied the evidence don’t believe so many men could have been crammed into a space that small. It is generally believed that Holwell enhanced his story considerably. In any case, the Black Hole of Calcutta incident has survived more than two centuries, whether it is fact or fiction.

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