Black Hole of Calcutta
The Black Hole of Calcutta refers to a tragic incident that occurred on June 20, 1756, during the British colonial expansion in India. It involved the capture of Fort William in Calcutta by Siraj-ud-Dawlah, a local ruler, resulting in the confinement of 146 British prisoners in a cramped, oppressive dungeon. The conditions were dire, leading to a significant loss of life, with only 23 survivors reported by the morning after the ordeal. This event became emblematic of the tensions between British colonial forces and Indian rulers, and it was used by British leaders to rally support for military actions against India and to justify the expansion of British authority. However, historical accounts of the incident vary, with some suggesting a smaller number of prisoners and survivors. Additionally, there is skepticism among some historians regarding the accuracy of the event as it has been portrayed over time. The Black Hole of Calcutta remains a significant topic in discussions of colonial history, reflecting the complexities and conflicts of that era.
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Black Hole of Calcutta
Black Hole of Calcutta
One of the most notorious massacres in history took place on June 20, 1756, in what became known as the Black Hole of Calcutta. The British were expanding their influence in India, and their principal means for doing so was the British East India Company. The company was a commercial and military enterprise, with cooperation between private merchants and the British government, both parties being anxious to reap profits and expand the British Empire. In the Indian city of Calcutta was Fort William, a garrison manned by British soldiers for the benefit of the East India Company. In 1756 fighting erupted between the British and Siraj-ud-Dawlah, a local ruler. He took the city and the fort and then forced 146 British prisoners into a hot, airless dungeon within the fort. Measuring roughly 18 feet by 15 feet, they stayed there over the night of June 20, and when morning came only 23 were still alive.
News of the massacre was deliberately used by the British to inflame domestic popular opinion within England and justify not only harsh punitive actions against the Indians but also a further expansion of British power. There is some evidence to suggest that the number of British prisoners was far smaller, perhaps only 64, with 21 survivors. Within India itself there is also skepticism that the event ever took place, but all of these accounts and speculations are far from certain.