It is most likely for one to overlook the close connection Kolkata has with Dickens. The South Park Street Cemetery has a story to unravel. Lieutenant Walter Landor Dickens, Charles Dickens’s son arrived in India during the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. He served as an officer in the British army till 1864. Upon his death, he was buried at the military cemetery. Unfortunately, Dickens received the news of his son’s death on his birthday in 1864.
The grave was brought into limelight when The New York Times published an article ‘Dickens’ soldier son’ on February 18, 1911. In 1987, a few students from Jadavpur University raised funds to move the tomb stone from the military cemetery in Bhowanipore to the South Park Street Cemetery. It was placed among the columns, cupolas and obelisks that honour some prominent Europeans who died in Kolkata.
The grave was brought into limelight when The New York Times published an article ‘Dickens’ soldier son’ on February 18, 1911. In 1987, a few students from Jadavpur University raised funds to move the tomb stone from the military cemetery in Bhowanipore to the South Park Street Cemetery. It was placed among the columns, cupolas and obelisks that honour some prominent Europeans who died in Kolkata.
No comments:
Post a Comment