BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA Meaning and
Definition
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The term "Black Hole of Calcutta" refers to a dark chapter in the history of British-occupied India during the 18th century. It specifically denotes an incident that took place in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, on June 20, 1756. The Black Hole of Calcutta refers to a small, poorly ventilated cell within Fort William where a large number of British prisoners were held captive during this event.
The precise dimensions of the Black Hole are heavily debated, but it is generally described as a small dungeon, approximately 18 feet long and 14 feet wide. Following the fall of Calcutta to the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, around 146 British prisoners were crowded into this confined space overnight. With limited access to fresh air and extreme heat, the condition inside the cell rapidly deteriorated.
The incident resulted in the tragic death of most of the prisoners, with only a handful surviving the night. The number of casualties is also a subject of contention, but historical accounts suggest that around 123 prisoners perished due to suffocation, heatstroke, and exhaustion.
The Black Hole of Calcutta became a symbol of British oppression and the merciless treatment endured by prisoners during the colonial era. This incident fueled anti-British sentiment and played a significant role in shaping public opinion against British rule in India. The "Black Hole of Calcutta" is now remembered as a somber reminder of the atrocities committed during this period.
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