P71-76

Uncoloured lithograph of a panorama of Calcutta drawn after nature by Frederick Fiebig and prepared, printed and published by T. Black of the Asiatic Lithographic Press in Calcutta in 1847.

The first section shows Alipore, Kidderpore and Garden Reach and Fort William seen on the right. The Fort was rebuilt to the south of Calcutta in 1757. Designed by John Brohier, the structure is polygonal in form and has extensive defenses including bastions, earthworks and a moat. Inside the fort, we can see the garrison church of St Peter that dates from 1826. The area surrounding the fort, known as the Maidan, was cleared to provide an unrestricted line of fire.

The second section shows the large green space of the Maidan between Fort William and Government House. The grounds of the Calcutta Cricket Club can be seen in the centre left. Since 1864, the Cricket grounds have moved closer to Eden Gardens, shown on the right. The Eden Gardens were laid out in 1834 and opened to the public in 1840. They were named after Emily and Fanny Eden, the sisters to Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of India from 1836-1842. Shipping on the River Hooghly may be also seen in the middle distance of this view behind the Maidan.

The third section shows the Government House with Eden Gardens situated opposite on the Maidan and a temporary encampment of troops nearby. Captain Charles Wyatt of the Engineers, the architect of the new Government House, based his designs for the building on Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. The building is characterised by the inclusion of four projecting wings. The centrepiece of the southern façade, seen here, is a circular colonnade with a dome. Marking each end of the carriageways on the north and south facades are four large ceremonial gateways. The Eden Gardens were laid out in 1834 and opened to the public in 1840. They were named after Emily and Fanny Eden, the sisters to Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of India from 1836-1842. Shipping on the River Hooghly may be also seen in the middle distance of this view.

The fifth section shows Chowringhee Road. In the late eighteenth century, Chowringee became the main European residential area of Calcutta and was characterised by Palladian houses that were set in spacious grounds.

The sixth section of the panorama shows Chowringhee Road. In the late eighteenth century, Chowringee became the main European residential area of Calcutta and was characterised by Palladian houses that were set in spacious grounds. In this view, we can see three of the water tanks placed along the Maidan to supply water to the city. To the extreme right, the spire of St. Paul's Cathedral is also visible. This spire collapsed in an earthquake in 1897. Today, St Paul's Cathedral is topped by a tower, which was built after a second earthquake in 1934. The cathedral was designed in the Gothic style by Major William Forbes of the Bengal Engineers, the architect of the Silver Mint in Calcutta, and consecrated in 1847.