Gwalior Monument

Gwalior Monument, Kolkata গোয়ালিয়র স্মৃতি-সৌধ
Ellenborough’s Folly, or The Pepperpot

Gwalior Monument along the Hoogly riverfront, Kolkata
Coordinates 22°33′38″N 88°20′02″E / 22.56068°N 88.33385°E / 22.56068; 88.33385Coordinates: 22°33′38″N 88°20′02″E / 22.56068°N 88.33385°E / 22.56068; 88.33385
Location Strand Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Designer Colonel H Goodwyn
Type Cenotaph
Material Bronze dome with White Marble base
Height 60 feet
Opening date 1847
Dedicated to The officers and men of the British Troops who fell during the Gwalior Campaign in 1843

Gwalior Monument, also known as Ellenborough’s Folly, or The Pepperpot, is an octagonal cenotaph about 60 feet high, crowned with a bronze dome cast from guns captured from the Marathas. It was erected in 1847 by Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, as a memorial to the officers and men who fell during the Gwalior War in 1843.[1]

History

On December 13, 1843 Lord Elleborough wrote to the Maharani of Gwalior warning her that she should dismiss a usurping regent and that the size of her army should be reduced. Since she did not comply, the Gwalior Campaign took place.

Gen. Sir Hugh Gough, violating the treaty of 1804 with Gwalior, forded the Chambal river and invaded the town, which was known for its palaces and riches, on December 29, 1843. The Gwalior War at Maharajpur was fought under Sir Hugh had 14,000 men and 40 guns. The Marathas under Bhagerat Rao Scindia had 18,000 men and 100 guns. The British routed the Mahrathas but suffered 787 casualties. The Mahrathas lost 3000 men and 56 guns. [2] On the same day at Punniar, 20 miles from Maharajpur, the left flank of Gough's troops under General Grey routed an army of 12,000 Marathas and captured 40 guns. [3]

Design and Architecture

Gwalior Memorial, Calcutta (Kolkata) - c1912-14

It was designed by Colonel H Goodwyn of the Bengal Engineers and constructed by Jessop and Company. It was conceptulised by Lord Ellenborough. The base is a single storied white marble structure with a spiral staircase leading to a marble cenotaph on the upper floor from the inside. The top of the monument is built like a Mughal 'chhatri' or umbrella supported by 8 bronze pillars. The dome of the cenotaph is crowned with a bronze dome cast from guns captured from the Marathas. From here, the majestic Hoogly river can be seen along with the full view of the Howrah Bridge as well as the Vidyasagar Setu. However entry is restricted. The Kolkata Circular Railway passes along the memorial between the Eden Gardens and Prinsep Ghat railway stations and gives a spectacular view of this monument.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kingston, William Henry Giles (2008). Our Soldiers.
  2. ↑ Raymond Smythies, Cpt. R. H. (1894). Historical Records of the 40th(2nd Somersetshire) Regiment. A. H. Swiss.
  3. ↑ Chowdhury, Pradip (2013). Gwalior Monument.
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