Information on South Park Street Cemetery (Kolkata, West Bengal) - History & Architecture

South Park Street Cemetery is one of the popular heritage places of Kolkata in West Bengal. It was created in the British colonial era and is regarded as one of the eldest graveyards in Kolkata. Traditionally it was termed as Great Christen Burial Ground. The tombs and cenotaphs of South Park Street Cemetery are architecturally remarkable and signify the splendour of colonial era. It consists the tombs of illustrious colonials who considered as vital portion of the history of Kolkata.

South Park Street Cemetery Architecture

South Park Street Cemetery has an area of about 8 acres. It is enclosed by large brick made walls. The arena of South Park Street Cemetery possesses a collection of about 1600 tombs with memorials, tablets and epigraphs. The background of South Park Street Cemetery is charming and composed with tall shaded trees, lovely flowers and bushes which enfolds the tombs. The architecture of the cemetery is a blend of Gothic and Indo-Saracenic style. The tombs of the cemetery are generally created by sand stone and are in rectangular shape. The design of South Park Street Cemetery replicate standard European architectural style ranging from Roman domes, Grecian vases to Egyptian pyramids, monuments, cairns and coffins. The tombs of the cemetery are also designed in exclusive Hindu pattern having black basalt figures in the anterior. The architectural style of the tombs in the cemetery express refined character of Hindu way of life. Some of the famous tombs of South Park Street Cemetery are tomb of Rose Aylmer, the niece of Henry Russel, tomb of Anne Monson, the daughter of prince Charles II and tomb of William Jones, the creator of the 'Asiatic Society' among others.

South Park Street Cemetery History

South Park Street Cemetery was ritualistically opened in the year 1767. Nevertheless, on that time, the cemetery was a swampy field. It became usable for funeral in the year 1830. The cemetery was named after the establishment of reserved deer park by Elijah Impey in Park Street area. It served as key funeral place for European emigrants who lived in Calcutta through British era. South Park Street Cemetery was opened in order to minimise the burden of old burial places in Calcutta. It possesses the tombs of several prominent European people of the imperial period. However, the European people on that time, begun to neglect the cemetery and in the year 1840, South Park Street Cemetery was completely shut down, owing to scarcity of burial ground. Though, the burial space in the cemetery was increased in the northern portion of Park Street in 1785 and again opened for the purpose of funeral. By the year 1840, there was vast space for burial in South Park Street Cemetery. During mid-2000, South Park Street Cemetery engaged in restoration activities and till now the restoration continues. The first phase of restoration initiated with redevelopment of 15 popular tombs. In the second phase, the environments of the cemetery have also been decorated with traditional style, in combination with up-to-date environment friendly technology viz. solar power-driven illumination. South Park Street Cemetery has presently become a heritage place which is maintained by 'Archaeological Survey of India'.

South Park Street Cemetery Tourism Importance

The impressive architecture of South Park Street Cemetery incite several travellers to visit. It is featured with numerous exclusive structures which makes it an important place for tourism. The Gothic style catacombs and cenotaphs, demonstrating intense Indo-Saracenic architecture can positively amaze every visitors in Kolkata.