Foster 45

Fort William, Calcutta, c.1731

In the foreground are a number of English vessels, three of which are firing salutes. Behind is seen the river face of the Fort, showing two lines of battlements, enclosing the Government House. Over the roof of the latter rises the steeple of St. Anne’s Church (consecrated 1709).

31 by 46 ins (78.5 by 117 cms)

Exhibited: Guidhall Art Gallery, ‘Samuel Scott Exhibition’ June 1955; Victoria and Albert Museum, 1970; British Library, ‘Calcutta City of Palaces’, 1990.

See: J.P. Losty, ‘Calcutta City of Palaces’, London, 1990, pp.21-2, and plate 1.

The steeple of St. Anne’s Church was blown down during the hurricane which almost overwhelmed Calcutta on the night of October 12, 1737. The church itself was destroyed during the fighting of June 1756. The small river-gate to the left near the north western bastion, is that by which Siraj al-Daula entered the fort immediately after its capture. The ghat leading down from the larger gate is probably that by which Governor Drake and others fled to the boats.