The Black Hole of Calcutta | Full History | Human Voiced, No Ads скачать в хорошем качестве

The Black Hole of Calcutta | Full History | Human Voiced, No Ads

Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @asmr_historian   Check out my Patreon for Ad Free Viewing:   / asmrhistorian   Merch: https://histmerch.shop/ One of the most infamous events in colonial Indian history: the Black Hole of Calcutta. This incident occurred in 1756 during the early stages of the British East India Company's expansion in India and has since been a subject of much debate and historical scrutiny. Background: The Black Hole of Calcutta was a small dungeon in Fort William, located in Calcutta (modern-day Kolkata), which was at the time an important trading post of the British East India Company. The event took place in the context of increasing tensions between the British traders and the local Indian rulers, notably Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. The Siege of Calcutta: In June 1756, Siraj ud-Daulah, angered by the British fortifications and their refusal to stop expanding their fort despite his orders, marched on Calcutta with a large force. The British were vastly outnumbered and the fort's defenses were weak. The Nawab's forces quickly overwhelmed the British, leading to their surrender on June 20, 1756. The Black Hole Incident: Following the capture of Fort William, the surviving British prisoners, along with some Indian soldiers loyal to them, were allegedly confined overnight in a small dungeon within the fort. The dungeon, known as the Black Hole, was extremely cramped, measuring only about 18 feet by 14 feet. According to British accounts, 146 prisoners were forced into this small space on a stifling summer night, with no ventilation. The Aftermath: By the next morning, the dire conditions had led to the deaths of 123 of the 146 prisoners due to suffocation, heatstroke, and crushing. Only 23 emerged alive. The incident was reported by John Zephaniah Holwell, a survivor and one of the British officials, who later published a sensational account of the event. Holwell’s narrative sparked outrage in Britain and was used to justify the British conquest of Bengal over the next few years, leading to the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and the eventual establishment of British dominance in India. Historical Controversy: The accuracy of Holwell’s account has been widely debated by historians. Some argue that the numbers were exaggerated and the conditions described implausible. Modern historians suggest that the event was likely politicized to garner support for British retaliation against the Nawab and to justify their imperial ambitions in India. Legacy: The Black Hole of Calcutta has become a symbol of colonial cruelty and the darker side of the British Empire’s history in India. It also serves as a reminder of the complexities and brutalities of colonial rule, reflecting how historical events can be interpreted and used in various ways depending on political needs and viewpoints. #history #colonialism #india #england Information sourced from Wiki, Gutenburg, JSTOR, primary and secondary sources. All information is congruent with archaeological and history evidence at the time of recording.