Eden Gardens & William Peel Statue Calcutta – 2 Photos 1870
Two 1870 photos of the Eden Gardens and the statue of Sir William Peel in Calcutta (Kolkatta). Calcutta’s Grand Maidan or Esplanade as the British called it was first called “Auckland Circus Garden”. Later it was renamed Eden Gardens after Lord Auckland’s sisters Emily and Fanny Eden. Lord Auckland was the Governor of Calcutta from 1836-42.
The Garden opened in 1840 as a huge public park and garden in Calcutta. The once world-famous cricket stadium of the same name opened in 1864 came up in this location. Captain Sir William Peel (1824-1858) was the son of the then Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. Best known for his adventurous spirit he joined the Crimean War proving his bravery and was-
awarded the Victoria Cross. While he was on his way to China with British troops to fight in the opium war they were diverted midway to Lucknow. This was to put down the Indian rebellion that ensued there in 1857. And was badly wounded in the battle where he played an important role in the battle. He was sent back to England and on his way back by rail he contracted smallpox and died at Kanpur at the age of 34 years. His statue was removed long after India’s independence.
See post Statue of Lord Canning First Viceroy of India 1870.
Did you know- Sir William wrote a book A Ride through the Nubian Desert detailing his accounts of the adventure he had through the desert in 1852.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#12)., Antique Calicut Logs On The River Kallai., Antique Print Bombay Khada Parsi Statue 1880., Vintage Postcard Elephants Decorated In Malabar 1910., Vintage Postcard Railway Station Ahmednagar 1905
