Mss Eur D661(87)

Genre: Architectural Photography

General view of the enclosure, with an open-sided thatched roof standing over the Gilbert Scott memorial. Writing to the London 'Times' in early 1869, the pseudonymous 'Pilgrim' had brought public attention to the dilapidated state of the memorial, 'already much injured by exposure to the heat and rains of Bengal.' The writer stated that 'a temporary shed has already been erected over it, but it has clearly become necessary that the tomb should be roofed over with a suitable dome as a permanent shelter.' ('Times', 23 February 1869). The family acted angrily to the implied accusation of neglect (and to a further letter from Lieutenant-Colonel J. Gordon, published on 29 March 1869), Viscount Burke stating that Gordon should have approached him personally if he had wished to know his 'private intentions with regard to the repairs of the tomb'. However, no immediate action appears to have been taken, and it was not until 1873 that Lord Northbrook arranged for the original monument to be moved to St Paul's Cathedral,Calcutta, and a more durable replica placed in its stead at Barrackpore. The monument was again moved in 1913, to its present position in the north portico of St John's Church, Calcutta.

[Albumen print, 288x227mm].

Subjects = tombs

Location = Barakpur; Barrackpore; India; West Bengal