Reaching Chottelal Durga Prosad Ghat at Kolkata

We are here now at Chottelal Durga Prosad Ghat situated at Kolkata of West Bengal just within   150 meter south of Howrah Bridge.    So far most of the WebPages states lots of fictitious fabricated    story about  the  Chottelal   Durga   Prosad Ghat, but   the real facts   are somewhat different.

Chottelal Ghat

From the very inception of the journey of Calcutta, history of city associated with the different heritage ghats as there is in-depth relation between the social, economic and religious aspects of lives. After the advent of East India Company what we get to see from different periodicals maps, ghats on the both bank were pre-existing and names of the ghats was renamed in different times. But there may be very few ghat which constructed afresh. In the late nineteenth century, at the era of official starting of Port of Kolkata, Kolkata riverfront land was handed over to Calcutta Port Commissioners and becomes important for port activity and port related business. Then it was difficult to get permission to build a new ghat. But history of Chottelall Durga Prosad Ghat tells different story. Before going deep into history, which comes foremost, who was Baboo Chottelal? Documents say Baboo Chotelal Durga Prosad was a merchant carrying on business in Radhabazar Kolkata. He also had business in princely state Furruckabad, now in the state of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. After his death, in 1872, heirs and executors intimated their desire to the then Calcutta Port Commissioners to expend a sum of one lakh rupees to construct a bathing ghat in memory of deceased Baboo. Commissioners gave a general sanction upon condition that structure should occupy the site of existing bathing ghat where there is previously no steps or pacca building.

At first, the site of Juggernath Ghat was selected by the Port Commissioners for the erection of the contemplated structures but objection given by the agents of Baboo Chotte Lal on the ground that it would be offensive to the religious principle of Hindu Community to appropriate a site for contemplated new ghat which is known as Juggernath Ghat. The Port Commissioners issued a letter on 10^th Sept 1872 to the Chairman of the ‘Justice of the Peace for the Town of Calcutta’ to ascertain the exact feeling of the Hindu community on the matter. In reply R. Turnbull ESQ Secretary of the ‘Justice of the Piece for the Town of Calcutta’ informed “that there would be objection on the part of many Hindus to either building on the site of Juggernath Ghat and calling it by another name ,.. 2. Whatever is done, the Juggernath Ghat should not be interfered with in any way”. Then Port Commissioners sanction the place south of the then Meerbohur Ghat. Baboo Pannah Lal, Baboo Ram Nath agents of Baboo Chotte Lal agreed with that place to build the memorial ghat.

In 1873, with the consent of heirs and executors of Baboo Chotte Lall, Port Commissioners invited best design for bathing ghat from the designers and offered a prize of Rs. 500 for best design. Mr. Richard Roskell Bayne (1837–1901), an English architect won the prize as design was chosen by agent of the deceased Baboo and subsequently approved by the Port Commissioners. Who was Mr. Richard Roskell Bayne? An Architect and employee of the then East Indian Railway. Apart from his regular work as railway engineer, he also designed monumental buildings such as Sir Stuart Hogg Market (Kolkata, 1874), Thornhill and Mayne Memorial Library (Allahabad, 1878), Mayo Memorial Hall (Allahabad, 1879), East India Railway Offices at Fairlie Place (Kolkata, 1881), Husainabad Clock Tower (Lucknow, 1881). Not only Chotte Lal ghat, Bayne also designed another bathing ghat of Kolkata. Do you know the name of that ghat? If yes please write in comment.

Decorative Column

However, in 26^th Jan 1874, Baboo Ram Nath agent of Baboo Chotte Lal informed Port Commissioners that heirs and executors of Baboo Chottelal always stay at Furruckabad, the place of their business. It’s not convenient and practicable to take responsibility of building and completing the ghat and that would be great detriment to their business at Furruckabad. And they beg to engage a respectable contractor by the port commissioners to building the ghat as per design at a cost of Rs. 95,000. Messers. Makintosh, Burn & Co. was chosen as a contractor for the building of the ghat by the Port Commissioners. The Memorial Ghat was constructed on 1875.

Structure designed by the Bayne was single storied European classical style adorned by an ornate cuppa resting atop. How was that? There are few photographs available online of different times which arranged  with available caption.

Taken by Johnston and Hoffmann c1885
Curtesy BL

Chottelal Ghat 1912-14
Curtesy : RCAHMS

Photographer:Hensley Glenn. 1944.
Courtesy: Lib. U.Penn

Build on 1875 and surely Chottelal Ghat gone through various transitions on his journey. It’s very sad that beautiful edifice was modified and ornamental roof top was destroyed just to making a new floor in 1987. But the beautiful dome is still exist today. Original riverside stairs in front of ghat as shown in the old pictures was destroyed and filled up by sand to making a pucca platform for additional space in 1974. From the illustrations it’s very clear that how Chottelal Ghat structure was modified and ornamental top was destroyed.

Additional floor erected over original structure.

Document say on south corner of steps of S. arch of entrance to ghat on strand road there is a Great Trigonometrical Survey Bench Mark at Chhotte Lal Durga Prosad ghat. But mark was not found during visit. Entrance from strand road side is blocked by the Flower market stalls.

Dome interior  from inside

Marble plaque 

Though there is no link with the Chotttelal Ghat, but an almost invisible marble plaque engraved on the wall on the right of the stairs leading down to  Chottelal Ghat,  telling a sad tale. The English version like this : 

“The stone is dedicated by a few English women to the memory of those pilgrims, mostly women, who perished with the Sir John Lawrence in the cyclone of 25th May 1887.”

In absence of any rail line up to Puri, steamships caring pilgrims from Kolkata to Chandrabali was became popular business that time. Like many others, McLine and Company ran a regular service on its steamship ‘Sir John Lawrence’ from Kolkata to Chandrabali.  On 25^th May 1887, ‘Sir John Lawrence’ left Calcutta to Chandrabali though there is storm warning by the Metrological Department. Though steamship was allowed to carry 735 passengers but was over crowed. Faced a cyclonic storm in sea and lost near Palmyra Point with passengers. However these steamships was moored in the middle of the river  at the Koila Ghat not in Chottelal Ghat.  Passengers was used to onboard by the small boat/dingi from shore. Then question is why marble plaques engraved in the Chottelal Ghat? May be because of  popularity, easily accessibility, locational importance of this ghat memorial plaques is engraved.

City of Calcutta Published from 

SOI Calcutta  Februrary 1910

Plan of Calcutta 1857 by Fedrick Walter Simms, 
Con. Engr. to Gov of India

Just beside of Chotttelal Ghat there exist a flower market which is known as Mullick Ghat flower market. But at present there is no Mullick Ghat in the vicinity of Chottelal Ghat except Nemi Charan Mullick ghat. There is a Mullick Ghat Pumping station on strand road and area popularly known as Mullick Ghat. So where was the Mullick Ghat? An old map of 1842 depicts the location of Mullick Ghat just south of erstwhile old floating Howrah Bridge where at present Mullick Ghat Pumping Station Jetty Exists. In a map of 1910 of City of Calcutta Published from Survey of India Calcutta  under Direction of Colonel F B Longe RE Surveyor General of India,  location of Chottelal Ghat shown is just north of erstwhile old floating Howrah Bridge, presently where ghat exists. So there should not be any confusion on existence of   Chottelal Ghat and Mullick Ghat, is different entity.

Movie Barfi : A scene on roof of the Chottelal Ghat, top of dome. Curtesy filmmapia.com

Presently Chottelal Durga Prosad Bathing ghat is under maintenance of  Ganga Seva Samity. Ghat has a wrestling ground / akhra.  Since Ghat is located in picsque location with Howrah Bridge background, it’s treatwise to the photographers. In recent years, ghat used as a shooting spot for famous bolllywood movie ‘Barfi’ staring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra. Chottelal Ghat can surely be your next weekend destination.

Find this place in Google Map.

Information Sources :

• Buckland, C. I. E. (1901). Bengal Under the Lieutenant Governors; vo.2.  Page 839-40.
• The Calcutta Gazette 1887.
• Documents on Maritime Archives of KoPT 1873, 1874, 1875.

More Stories on Chottelal Ghat :

• HERITAGE GHATS OF CALCUTTA – Chotulal Ghat
• Ghats of Kolkata… Revisited: Chhotey Lal Ki Ghat

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'Bandel Survey' : A legacy of Colonial India

Bandel, an erstwhile potuguese settlement which carries interesting legacy of late 16th century, kept alive today through Bandel Church, Bandel Cheese etc. But apart from these, Bandel carries a legacy of a British colonial survey institute through an unique history.

History of Surveying is commenced with the advancement of history of People, Countries and Nations. Advent of East India Company in India in the 17^th century turned into an emperor since 1858. They formed their own system of governance and for requirements in trade they decided to mapped the territories of East India Company. Survey of India was established in 1767 under James Rennel (1742 - 1830) and later  decided to undertake Great Trigonometrical Survey (1802 – 1852) over the Indian Sub Continent. For this mammoth task they felt dare needs to establish survey training institutes to keep the trained manpower ready. Michael Topping (1747–1796), Chief Marine Surveyor and a East India Company Astronomer founded the first Surveying School in Indian subcontinent at Gulndy  in the then Madras Presidency on 17th May 1794.*

Employment of native surveyors of British Bengal has been forbidden since 1815.** Things changed when extensive revenue surveys was ordered in the upper provinces of Bengal. They felt need to form regular establishments. During  March 1876, the Government of British Bengal taken steps to open Survey Schools in the chief cities of Bengal.

List of Principal of Bengal Survey
School now known as Bangladesh
Survey Institute. PC : Prince Md. Subho

In 1914, Bengal Government of British India, decided to setup a Survey School named as Bengal Survey School  at Mainamoti hills in Comilla  (now in Bangladesh) under Survey Department.**** Then Comilla was under the  Hill Tippera (British ascent of Tripura) a part of Eastern Bengal and Assam (from 1905). Institute was located among a group of low hills in quiet and beautiful surroundings with a view to giving diversified experience in surveying and levelling.# The first  principal of Bengal Survey School was Mr. Paistar. From the inception, two year course was conducted, first year course was called Amin  Course and second year course was Survey Final Examination. Each year student intake was around 50 students. Students was all  residents in the two katchha hostels.##  School encouraged students to take part in the outdoor sports.

Eventually from the very beginning Bengal Survey School goes through the very stirring times in the context of two world war and billowy storm for Indian Independence. During pre independence movement in the year of 1929, students went on a strike as a protest against a decision of Principal Babu

Military Barrack of 2nd World
War now used as boys hostel.
PC MadhuSudan Chowdhury

Rajendra Lal Banerjee. On the death of independence activist and revolutionary Jatin Das in Lahore Jail, the students observed strike/ hartal on 16th September 1929 .  During 2nd world war in 1942, Mainamoti hills converted as a British cantonment for military movement and Bengal Survey School shifted to Bankura, in western part of Bengal. After the 2nd World War is over, in the month of October 1946, School again transferred to Mainamoti Hills.^^^ After so long battle for independence, in exchange of blood at last that very August 1947 had came, British rule comes to an end. But in exchange of independence, infamous partition occurred on the basis of religion.  As India so Bengal was divided into two parts.  The eastern part of the Bengal falls in the East Pakistan. Comilla falls in the East Pakistan so the Bengal Survey School. Administration of Western part which remain in India, immediately felt necessary to open a new survey institute to feed Estate Acquisition Department. Anandamoy Mukherjee Msc BL ARSM (England), the then Principal of Bengal Survey School and Sri Aswini Kumar Mondal, teacher opted for Western Bengal and joined in new Survey Institute. A place was found suitable in Bandel, Hooghly in an abandoned military barrack of 2nd world war.^^^ Then this place was  full of jungle and have eight dilapidated tiled roof barrack. Instruments, furniture and other goods of  Bengal Survey School divided and one part bought to Bandel  by a goods train from Comilla to Hooghly rail station.^^^ Anandamoy Mukherjee, Aswani Kumar Mondal started to mingles

Old building of West Bengal Survey
Institute Building Constructed in 1952.
PC Google Map

their experience in the new institute. The new survey institute which was named asWest Bengal Survey Institute, officially started functioning on 8th Nov 1947 without any ceremonial function. Following same fashion, two year certificate course, Junior Surveyorship and Senior Surveyorship was started. In 1952, a single storied building of colonial neo classical architecture with plinth area of 7500 sq feet has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,50,530.^^  Tiled roof barrack still exist today. Tiled replaced with the asbestos and used for students hostel till date. Ruins of Militery Camp still exit in the Institute compound. 

One of the structure which was Hospital
of Avoy Ashram now used as hostel of
Bangladesh Survey Institute
PC Prince Md Subho

After independence in 1947, at Eastern Pakistan, Bengal Survey School renamed as The East Pakistan Survey School. The Bengal Survey School has been permanently shifted from Mainamoti to Comilla  Avoy Ashram due to Military Activity in Mainamoti in Decembor 1950. Avoy Ashram at Comilla was established on 1910 by the three giants Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh, Dr. Sures Ch. Bandhopadhay and Dr. Nripen Basu. The site located where hospital of Avoy Ashram was situated. The hospital buildings was still exist today and used for students hostel. Later in independent Bangladesh,  The East Pakistan Survey School,  Comilla renamed as Bangladesh  Survey Institute.

Bangladesh Survey Institute
PC Google Map

Now,  erstwhile two years survey course upgraded into Diploma in Survey Engineering in W B Survey Institutes as well as Bangladesh Survey Institute. West Bengal Survey Institute which is famous in name ‘Bandel Survey’ is a pivot of survey education in country.  May be the West Bengal Survey Institute start afresh but how can be ignored the legacy of Bengal Survey School and the very connection with the partition of nation which may only be the reason for the birth of a institutes -  West Bengal Survey Institute.

Find WB Survey Institute on Google Map.

Find Bangladesh Survey Institute on Google Map.

Information Sources:

*  The history of British India- A chronology by Jhon. F. Riddick. Page 210.

**Historical Records of the Survey of India, Volume 3  Survey of India, R. H. Phillimore 1954 Page 359.

****Annual Report on the Survey Operations in Bengal (Other Than Cadastral Surveys) During the Year 1915-16 Directorate of Survey Bengal.

# Banglaadesh District Gazetters Vol -14 1974 : Bangladesh Government Press.

##Eighth Quinquennial Review on the Progress of Education in Bengal, 1927-32 Page 112.

^^ Report of Administration of West Bengal 1965

^^^  “Amar Atmokatha : Aswini Kumar Mondal” Published in WBSI Reunion Souvenir of 2000.
Thanks to Prince Md Subho for sharing valuable information and pics of Bangladesh Survey Institute.

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A Rocket Mail to Sagar Light House

Largest island in Ganga Delta,  the Sagar dwip or Saugor Island in South 24-Parganas situated at the confluence of Bay of Bengal,  is famous pilgrimage site for Kumbhamela and Kapil Muni Ashram. Though till date approach to Saugor Island from main land is still difficult in absence of any bridge over muriganga river but in recent years mela and Kapil Muni Ashram surroundings was enormously developed by the West Bengal Government as a tourism site.  But beside this Saugor Island carries an old history with the bay of lighthouses and lightships that guides the inward and outward ships to find their correct channel in bay of bengal. The Sagar Island has a 200 years old lighthouse  in the vicinity of the Ganga Sagar beach at Beguakhali Mouza. Distance from Ganga Sagar  beach to Sagar Light house is not more than 5 km. A sea side walk from Ganga  Sagar towards light house give you a beautiful view of the surrounding places and a treatwise to those specially for photography fanatics.

Saugor Light House

In the year of 1807, The Court of Directors, the executive body of East India Company sent two lantern for two light house, one is for Saugor to facilitates the navigation of River Hooghly. Commodore Hayes was entrusted to find a suitable site at Saugor Island. On December 1810,  Commodore Hayes landed at Saugor and he reported that the South West corner of the island would be suitable location. Since the then saugor island was full of jungle, a proper examination of place was not possible until a considerable space was cleared. Then the Commodore, engaged 50 laskars to clear the jungle in the proposed location, giving them ration in addition to their pay otherwise people could not go there. Then construction of Saugor Lighthouse started in the year of 1815 by the East India Company (in other sources its 1821). That time light exhibited at the top of a 20 meter wooden tripod so then it is denoted as Saugor Tripod. Saugor Tripod was situated about a mile south west of present light house. Then light source was a revolving reflector array consisting of 14 lamps. Over the time, the erosion of the river front having rendered the original site unsafe. The principal changes in shore lines consists of large erosion all along the southern shore of Saugor Island averaging a mile in width since 1836. The Saugor Tripod was taken down on 1851 and the construction of Saugor Light house was then in progress. A light vessel named ‘Torch’ was moored for the intervening period. The lighthouse was completed in 1852. The lighthouse was designed by the Colonel Gordon. In 1911 the old lighthouse was dismantled and re-erected on its present sites. During 1852 lighthouse exhibited a light of 18000 candel-power, in 1884 light converted into an occulating light. In the year of 1909 the old light was replaced by 24000 candel power. 

Century old Light House keeper's residence.

The present lighthouse is 24 m height round cast iron tower, painted with horizontal red and white bands. The base of the lighthouse is surrounded by a square pyramidal observation platform. Presently  lighthouse have 2.4 meter dia lantern and revolving optical equipment that illuminate 400 watt by metal halide lamp,  flash white in every 3 second.  The range of lighthouse is 27.78 KM . Foot of the lighthouse contains a GTS bench mark.

Curtsy : DGLL

Moreover Saugar Lighthouse is witness of historical incident of first rocket mail in India. How Indian can forget his kolkata based rocketeer Stephen H Smith. The rockets were resembling forms of larger versions of fireworks which used to delivering mails, food, medicines etc. They were approximately 6 feet in length with the body  which carried the mail 2 feet long. They were launched by lighting a touchpaper from a sloping stand aimed in the general direction of the intended target. The rocket were used to launched at a variety of angles, 30, 45 even 80 degrees.  The rocketeer was supposed to recorded details of the wind speed and direction and the distance the rocket covered for every launch.  Such a Rocket mail, ship to shore, flown by Stephen H Smith on 30^th September 1934, from Ship D.V. Pancy to Saugor Lighthouse with “To Lighthouse 1st Rocket Despatch” label attached. Unfortunately this rocket exploded in the mid air and all letters scattered in all direction. This rocket contains 143 letters of which 140 were salvaged and three were lost. This might be the first rocket mail experiment in India by the Stephen H Smith.

1st Rocket Mail Despatch to Saugor Lighthouse.

Curtsy : Ebay

Historically Saugor Lighthouse which was erected by the East India Company, later vested upon to Kolkata Port Trust and  presently under operation of Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships, Min of Shipping, Govt of India. Present Lighthouse complex at Beguakkhali comprises of 12 .73 acres of square shaped land. Complex having many important offices like pilot station and modern  VTMS control station installed. Shore based Pilot station was constructed in the year of 2000 for the purpose of providing efficient pilot service navigational aids to the ships calling at the Kolkata port. Lighthouse complex is under control of Kolkata Port Trust and entry is restricted by tight security.

Old Picture of Saugor Lighthouse. Curtsy KoPT 

In 2015 Ministry of Shipping, Government of India decided Sagour Lighthouse to be developed as a tourist attraction. It’s the lack of proper facilities that restrain the tourist to go this picsque location. But the nascent charm of silvery virgin beach with beauty of the nature at it’s best has every potential to be developed as tourist attraction.

Find this place on Google Map.

Information Source : 

The Calcutta Port Trust –A Brief History of Fifty year’s of Work 1870-1920. Published by Thackers ,Spink & Co, Calcutta and Simla 1920.

The Book “Bay of Bengal Pilot” Published by order of the Lords Commissioners  of the Admiralty London 1887.

Appendix to the third report from select commityee of the house of commons and minutes of evidence on the Affairs of the east india company 17^th feb to 6^th oct 1831.

Administrative report 1876-77. Commissioners for the making improvement of the port of the Calcutta.

The Good Old Days of Honorable John Company: Being Curious Reminiscences, Volume 2 1882.

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Moyapur Magazine ময়াপুর বারুদ ঘর 2nd Part

2

১৮৭৩ সালের ১৫ঐ  জুলাই ফোর্ট ওইলিয়াম এর ওথেলো নামক  জাহাজ প্রায় ৪৭ বাক্স বিস্ফোরক ও অস্ত্রশস্ত্র বোঝাই হয়ে কোলকাতা বন্দরে ঢুকল । গান পাওডার  নিয়ম না মানার জন্য বন্দর  কর্তৃপক্ষ জাহাজ মাস্টার কে অভিযুক্ত করলেন । কিন্তু ম্যাজিস্ট্রেট জাহাজ মাস্টার কে অভিযোগ থেকে মুক্তি দিলেন এই বলে যে Act XXII of 1855-র অধিনিয়ম ৩৫ অনুসারে, সরকারী জাহাজের  বিস্ফোরক নিয়ে বন্দরে ঢোকার ছাড় আছে । তখন পোর্ট কমিসনারের  ভাইস চেয়ারম্যান W.D.Bruce বেঙ্গল গভর্নমেন্টের সেক্রেটারি কে এই অধিনিয়ম ৩৫ বিলোপ করতে অনুরোধ  বললেন । তিনি লিখলেন  জীবন ও বন্দরের নিরাপত্তার  জন্য যখন একটি  সাধারন জাহাজ, নিয়ম মেনে ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিনে বারুদ  রেখে অল্প পরিমান বারুদ  নিয়ে  বন্দরে আসছে, সেখানে একটি সাধারন জাহাজে বিস্ফোরক বোঝাই করে সরকারী জাহাজ কি ভাবে  বন্দরে আসতে পারে। এই ব্যতিক্রমের অবসান হওয়া উচিত । চিঠির  উত্তরে জুনিয়র সেক্রেটারি H.J.S. Cotton জানালেন যে অধিনিয়ম ৩৫এর বিলোপ বাস্তব সম্মত ভাবে সম্ভব নয় । সঙ্গে এ ও জানালেন লেফটেনান্ট  গভর্নর  মিলিটারি ডিপারমেন্ট কে পরামর্শ দিয়েছেন যতদূর সম্ভব  সরকারী গোলা বারুদ কোলকাতা বন্দরের পরিবর্তে গার্ডেনরিচে নামাতে ।

Act XXII of 1855-র কথা যখন উঠলো , Act XXII তে গান পাওডার সংক্রান্ত কি কি নিয়ম ছিলও একটু সংক্ষেপে  বলা যাক ,

রকেট ও অন্যান্য বিস্ফোরক অস্ত্রশস্ত্র কে গান পাওডার হিসাবে  ধরা  হবে । প্রাদেশিক সরকার  গান পাওডার নামাবার জন্য  একটি স্থান ঠিক করে দেবেন, সমস্থ আগমনকারী  ও বহির্গমনকারী  ভেসেল কে নির্দিষ্ট  নিয়ম ও  ঠিক করে দেওয়া সময়  মেনে গান পাওডার  জমা দেওয়া ও ফেরত  নেওয়া  করতে হবে ।  জাহাজ মাস্টার কে একটি মুচলেকা দিতে হবে যে নির্দিষ্ট  সীমার  বেশি গান পাওডার তাঁদের জাহাজে নেই ।  গান পাওডার জমা  রাখলে ম্যাগাজিন অফিসার একটি রসিদ দেবেন ও জাহাজ মাস্টারের কাছে দায়বদ্ধ  থাকবেন জমা রাখা গান পাওডার ফেরত দেবার জন্য । নিয়ম ভঙ্গকারী দের ২০০ টাকা পর্যন্ত  জরিমানা ও জাহাজে প্রাপ্ত সমস্ত গান পাওডার বাজেয়াপ্ত করা হবে । সংকটের সংকেতে ব্যাবহৃত গান পাওডার সমেত একটি বন্দুক ছাড়া  বন্দরে কোনও বন্দুক, গাদাবন্দুক ওঠা নামানো করা যাবে না  যদি না প্রাদেশিক সরকারের অনুমতি থাকে ও নিয়ম ভঙ্গকারী দের ৫০ টাকা পর্যন্ত  জরিমানা হতে পারে । 

২০১০ সাল । ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন ।  ডান দিকে
চৌকি ঘর । মধ্যে বারুদ্ঘর। ঘিরে থাকা
সীমানা প্রাচীর 

ম্যাগাজিন অন্দর এখন যেমন 

মেসার্স রড্ডা অ্যান্ড কম্পানী  যারা কোলকাতা থেকে অস্ত্রসস্ত্র বিভিন্ন দেশে রপ্তানি করতো , ১৭ঐ এপ্রিল ১৮৭৪ সালে কলকাতা পোর্ট কমিসনারকে চিঠি   লিখলেন  যে  ৫ পাউন্ড গান পাওডার রাখার নতুন এর নিয়ম percussion cap এর  ক্ষেত্রেও   প্রযোয্য   কিনা।  কারন  তাঁরা মেসার্স  মাকিননন  মাকিঞ্জী অ্যান্ড কম্পানী  কে percussion cap এর একটি ছোট  বাক্স রেঙ্গুন  এ পাঠাবার  নির্দেশ দিতে তাঁরা ৫ পাউন্ড গান পাওডার রাখার নতুন এর নিয়মের জন্য  তা পাঠাতে  অসম্মত হয় । মেসার্স  রড্ডা অ্যান্ড কম্পানী  জানতে চান  যেহেতু এগুলো  percussion cap  তাই গান পাওডার এর ৫ পাউন্ড  এই  নতুন  নিয়ম এতে প্রযোয্য  কিনা । উত্তরে পোর্ট কমিসনারের সেক্রেটারি G.H.Simpson জানান  এই নিয়ম combustible ammunition এর জন্য , percussion cap যদি combustible ammunition না হয় তাহলে নতুন নিয়ম প্রযোয্য নয় ।

কোলকাতা বন্দরে আগত জাহাজের অপ্রয়োজনীয়  দেরী এড়াতে জাহাজ মাস্টারকে ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন নজরে এলেই জাহাজের মাথায় একটি পতাকা লাগাতে হত যাতে ম্যাগাজিন কীপার আগে থেকেই পাওডার বোট ও কুলি নিয়ে তৈরি থাকতে পারেন । রাত্রি বেলায় গান পাওডার দেওয়া নেয়য়ার কাজ হত না। আবহাওয়া বা অন্যান্য সঙ্কটের কারনে যদি গান পাওডার ম্যাগাজিনে জমা না করা যায় , তাহলে সেই জাহাজ কে মেটিয়াব্রুজ ঘাটের আর পরে আসতে দেওয়া হত না ।

একটি সুদীর্ঘ ইতিহাসের এটি কয়েকটি পাতা মাত্র । কোলকাতা বন্দর এর বেড়ে উঠা, তার বিবর্তন ,  বিকাশ এর সাথে এই ম্যাগাজিন ওতপ্রোত ভাবে জড়িত । কোলকাতা বন্দরের  ইতিহাস উদ্যোগ  সাম্প্রতিক প্রচেষ্টার সাথে এই ম্যাগাজিন কে যুক্ত করলে  বন্দর তথা কলকাতার   ইতিহাসের একটি অংশ রয়ে যাবে আমাদের ভবিষ্যৎ প্রজন্মর  কাছে ।  

সমাপ্ত

Moyapur Magazine on Google Map

Information Sources : 

O’Malley, L.S.S. - Bengal District Gazetteers: 24-Parganas (Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, 1914)

Documents of KoPT.

More Stories on Moyapur MAgazine :
Achipur Barood Ghar
Forgotten History: The Gunpowder Magazine of Achipur

Read More

Moyapur Magazine ময়াপুর বারুদ ঘর

১

১৭৫৬ সালে নবাব সিরাজদোল্লার আক্রমনের ফলে ওল্ড ফোট পতনের  পর  রবার্ট ক্লাইভ তার পদাতিক সৈন্য বাহিনী নিয়ে এগিয়ে আসছেন কলকাতা পুনরুদ্ধার করতে  । এদিকে ওয়াটসন ও  অন্যান্য  সেনাপতি দের নেতৃত্বে  নৌবাহিনী সাথে সাথে চলছে কলকাতার উদ্দেশে । ১৭৫৬ সালের ২৮সে ডিসেম্বর তাঁরা এসে একসাথে মিলিত হলেন  বজবজ এর ৩ কিলোমিটার দক্ষিণে ময়াপুরে । সেখানেই ঠিক হল কলকাতা আক্রমনের ব্লুপ্রিন্ট। কালে কালে ইস্ট ইন্ডিয়া কোম্পানি গড়ে তুলল তাঁদের সাম্রাজ্য । কোলকাতা বন্দরের বিবর্তন পরিবর্ধন হল  কোম্পানির হাতে ।  জীবন , সম্পত্তি ও নিরাপদ বন্দর এর জন্য তাঁরা ময়াপুরে গড়ে তুললেন একটি বারুদঘর । তথ্য অনুযায়ী, প্রায় ২০০  বছরেরও আগে থেকে এর ব্যবহার শুরু হয় ।  

ময়াপুর জায়গাটা বজবজের  দক্ষিণে , বর্তমান বজবজ বিরলাপুর জূট মিল এর খুব কাছেই । কলকাতা থেকে দূরত্ব বড়জোর ৩০ কিমি.র আশেপাশে । হুগলী নদী বাঁধের ঠিক পাশেই ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন এর প্রধান গুদামঘর ।গঙ্গার ধারে বিশাল একটি ফাঁকা জায়গা ।  এর পরিধি প্রায় ২৩ একর জুড়ে বিস্তিত ।  খুব পুরানো একসঙ্গে লাগোয়া দুটি চারচৌকো গুদামঘর । এটিকে ঘিরে চারচৌকো দ্বিস্তর সীমানা প্রাচীর । চারটি কোনে চারটি চৌকি ঘর । এর পশ্চিমে নদীর ধারে প্রায় ১৩৭ গজ দূরে ছিল অপেক্ষাকৃত ছোট  ক্র্যাকর গুদামঘর । এখন আর এটি অবশিষ্ট নেই । ম্যাগাজিন এর উত্তরে ছিল ম্যাগাজিন কীপার এর  দুতলা বাসস্থান । ছাদ হীন অবস্থায় এটি আজও বর্তমান । এর পূর্বে ছিল গার্ড এর বাসস্থান। বাকিটা ফাঁকা জায়গা । চারপাশে বিশাল বিশাল গাছ ।  আর এই পুরো বাবস্থাটি ছিল নদী বাঁধ দিয়ে ঘেরা । যাতে নদীর জল কোনও ভাবেই ম্যাগাজিনে প্রবেশ করতে না পারে । ভাঙ্গাচোমা গুদামঘর, ঘর বাড়ি কালের গর্ভে আস্তে আস্তে বিলীয়মান। কখনো কখনো সেই পুরানো বারুদঘর এর সামনে  দাঁড়িয়ে অনুভব করতে চেয়েছি সেই কর্মব্যস্ত  দিন গুলো কে । নাহ বারুদ এর গন্ধ পাইনি , কিন্তু এক সুদীর্ঘ ইতিহাস যেন  শোনাতে চায়  কালের কণ্ঠে ঘটে যাওয়া কিছু অবশেষ । 

ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিনের মানচিত্র

সেই সময় যে সমস্থ জাহাজ কলকাতা বন্দরে আসত তাঁরা সিগনাল ও অন্যান্য জরুরী প্রয়োজনে  জাহাজে বারুদ রাখত ।১৮৫৫ সালের আগে অবধি তাঁরা ১০০ পাউন্ড মানে প্রায় ৪৫ কিলো বারুদ নিয়ে কলকাতা বন্দর এলাকায় তাঁরা প্রবেশ করতে পারত । পরে ১৮৫৫ সালের Act XXII অনুযায়ী ৫০ পাউন্ড বারুদ নিয়ে কলকাতা বন্দর এলাকায় প্রবেশের অনুমতি পায় । এর অতিরিক্ত বারুদ, গুলি তাঁদের রেখে আস্তে হত ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিনে । ফিরে যাবার পথে আবার তাঁরা নিয়ে নিত  জমা রাখা বারুদ । একই ব্যাবস্থা ছিলও দেশী বিদেশী বারুদ আমদানিকারী দের জন্য।  জীবন , সম্পত্তি ও নিরাপদ বন্দর এর জন্যই এই ব্যাবস্থা ।

১৮৭১ সাল এর সেপ্টেম্বর মাস । সবে ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন কলকাতা পোর্ট কমিশনার এর হাতে এসেছে ।  তৎকালীন বেঙ্গল গভর্নমেন্ট এর সেক্রেটারি C. Bernard জানান,  লেফটেনান্ট  গভর্নর  ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন এর পরিবর্তন  পরিমার্জন  এর নির্দেশ দিয়েছেন । এবং এও জানান হয় যে  বারুদ আমদানি কারীদের অতিরিক্ত বারুদ ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিনে জমা রাখতে হবে ও তার জন্য ভাড়া নেওয়া  হবে । জমা থাকা বারুদ তিন বছরের বেশি দাবীহীন  অবস্থায় থাকলে তা নিলাম করে দেয়া হবে । যারা বারুদ আমদানি করবেন ও ম্যাগাজিনে বারুদ  জমা রাখবেন তাঁদের ২৫ পাউন্ড অবধি ১ আনা, ২৫ পাউন্ড থেকে ৫০ পাউন্ড অবধি ২ আনা ও ৫০ পাউন্ড এর বেশি হলে ৪ আনা ভাড়া দিতে হবে । যদিও এর আগে ডেলিভারি চার্জ ছাড়া কোন ভাড়া নেওয়া হত না।

১৮৭২ সাল । কলকাতা পোর্ট কমিশনার এর আনুষ্ঠানিক সূচনার  সবে  দুই এক বছর  হয়েছে । ঐ বছর  লেডি মেলভিল নামক একটি জাহাজ কলকাতা বন্দরে আগুনে পুরে যায় । অনুসন্ধান করলে দেখা যায়  ওতে  ৫০ পাউন্ড  বারুদ মজুদ  ছিল। তাতে জাহাজ  টিতে বিস্ফোরণ  ঘটতে  পারত ফলে  জীবন ও সম্পত্তির হানি ঘটতে  পারত । সেই ঘটনার পর, ঐ সালেই নতুন নিয়ম হয়, ৫ পাউন্ড এর বেশি বারুদ নিয়ে কলকাতা বন্দর এলাকায় ঢুকতে দেয়া হবে না । ফলে অতিরিক্ত বারুদ তাদের ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন এ জমা রাখতে হবে । বন্দরে আগত জাহাজ থেকে বারুদ ম্যাগাজিন এ  নিয়ে আসা ও দিয়ে আসার সুবিধার জন্য পোর্ট কমিশনার একটি বিশেষ ভাবে নির্মিত বারুদ বোট এর বাবস্থা করেন । এই বাবস্থাটি ছিল নিশুল্ক ।

 এদিকে ভাড়ার প্রবর্তন ও  তিন বছরের সময় সীমার নতুন নিয়মে ভারতীয় বারুদ আমদানিকারী রা খুব অসুবিধার মধ্যে পরেন । ১৮৭৩ সালে চন্দ্র কুমার মল্লিক এবং অন্যান্যরা পোর্ট কমিশনার এর কাছে একটি  আবেদন জমা দেন । তাতে তাঁরা বলেন যেহেতু আমদানি করা বারুদ  নিজেদের গুদামঘর এ রাখতে দেওয়া হয় না, নির্দিষ্ট পরিমাণ বারুদ তাঁরা নিয়ে আসতে পারেন, বাকি বারুদ তাদের ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন এ রেখে আসতে হয়, তাই ময়াপুর ম্যাগাজিন  ব্যবহার এর  জন্য ভাড়া নেওয়ার বিরুদ্ধে তাঁরা আপত্তি যানাচ্ছেন । আবার তাঁরা অনেক সময় বিশেষ ধরনের বারুদ আমদানি করেন যেটা ম্যাগাজিন এ অনেক সময় ৭ বছরের এর বেশি সময় ধরে পরে থাকে । এর পর  পোর্ট কমিশনার ভাড়ার   সিদ্ধান্ত অপরিবর্তিত রাখলেও বিশেষ বিশেষ  পরিস্থিতিতে  ৩ বছরের সময়সীমা  বাড়াতে সম্মত হন ।  

( চলবে )

Moyapur Magazine on Google Map.

Inflrmation Sources : 

O’Malley, L.S.S. - Bengal District Gazetteers: 24-Parganas (Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, 1914)

Documents of KoPT.

More Stories on Moyapur Semaphore :
Achipur Barood Ghar
Forgotten History: The Gunpowder Magazine of Achipur

Read More

SAGA OF A GTS TOWER

 I would like to draw your attention on a very relevant issue. We might have seen at least a GTS tower in our life. In our daily life while we roam one place to another often we see a standalone tower and most of the time in very dreadful dilapidated or abandoned condition. As a surveyor or belongs to this community I feel very sorrow to see these GTS towers in this condition. Arise some question in mind, is these monuments doesn’t have historical importance? Is these are not a heritage structure? Is these have been declared as a heritage structure? Government should take measure to protect or maintained them. And they are not litigated too.


On the way from home to office at Kolkata, often I see a standalone half broken tower beside State Highway no.2 and in between Nalikul and Kamarkundu Railway Station of Tarakeswar-Howrah Eastern Railway line. It standing without any care for years and full of bushes around. During my survey training heard about GTS stations. After doing extensive search found that name of this GT tower is “Bhola TS”. Record says this is originally a 75 Ft high hollow rectangular tower which is in village Bhola PS Singur Sub. Div-Serampore Dist-Hooghly, West Bengal. Quite a portion of it already fallen. This tower used as primary ground control point in Great Trigonometrical Survey. It was constructed in 1830’s and observation carried out between 1832 to 1869. Initial observation on this tower were carried out under supervision of Sir George Everest, Surveyor General of India (1830-1843). Now situation is “Bhola TS” in ruin, needs immediate restoration work to protect it otherwise it would be completely destroyed within some years.



Now going into some historical background, history of Great Trigonometrical Survey in Hooghly district of West Bengal is quite interesting. From the book “A sketch of the administration of the Hooghly district, from 1795 to 1845, with some account of the early English, Portuguese, Dutch, French and Danish settlements” published in 1888 by George Toynbee, it is found that GTS survey was first commenced in Hooghly District by Mr.Olliver in 1830. Lient. Col. D.G.Crawford,m.b.(Indian Medical Service,Civil Surgeon,Hughli 1902) in his book “A brief history of Hughli District” delineated some details of GT survey in Hooghly district, which is extracted below, that is in his words :



“The Great Trigonometrical Survey was commenced in the Hughli district in 1830, suspended in June 1831, recommenced in March 1832. Great opposition, both active and passive, was shown by the people, who apprehended that the survey would be followed by an increase of taxation, and the work was not finally completed till 1845. There are eight survey stations in the Hughli

1. Hughli 2. Dilakhos 3. Mubarakpor 4. Aknapur 5. Bhola 6. Sathan 7. Boga 8. NiaU*

For two of these, Mubarakpur and Dilakhos, the old semaphore towers were used; for a third the roof of Hughli College was utilized, while for the other five, towers were built. These towers are square, about 50 to 60 feet in height. That at Bhola is within a few yards of theTarakeswar branch of the East Indian Railway, on the north of the line. The sites of these stations are as follows: —



..Roof of Hughli College

8 mile north-east of Tarakeswar.

Half-way between Nalikul and Singur.

11 miles south-east of Dwarbasini.

6 miles north of Naya Sarai.

8 miles north-east of Bainchi. “

Bhola TS- A GTS Tower in ruined. P.C. Sri Amal Kumar Pal

Now as a responsible citizen of India and being a surveyor, we cannot sit idle and let this historical monument of Great Trigonometrical Survey, the “Bhola TS” be destroyed. Fact is that Survey of India has guideline to maintain them and that is same for all over the country. Para 37 of SOI Topographical Hand Book Chapter III says that “all geodetic, some minor stations and all primary (protected) bench-marks are under the custody of local officials, who are responsible for their upkeep. Annual reports on the condition of almost all GT primary, certain other selected stations and all primary (protected) bench marks are submitted by District Officials to the Director, Geodetic and research Branch, together with an estimate of the cost of repairs necessary…..”. It has been come to know that procedure of Survey of India is, maintenance carried out on receipt of the specific information from local authorities, field parties etc. and same is conveyed to local Survey of India directorate to take up required repair/renovation work.

But today with time, it seems that local officials from local directorate of Survey of India are more interested on new GPS pillar instead of GTS Tower. They might have forgotten about GTS towers falling within jurisdiction of respective local directorate that tends to stations are in bad condition. A survey can say whether this generalization can be done all over the country especially where location of GT Tower is in rural area. May be new GPS pillars are the demand of time, may be GTS towers are no more so relevant today but still its has great historical importance that comes from ‘most significant contribution to the advancement of science in the 19th century’ that is Great Trigonometrical Survey which run over 2400km across length of Indian subcontinent, over 50 years of time with inch perfect accuracy and at the cost of many human life’s.

(Article was published in the Souvenir of National Survey Day Committee in the year 2012)

Bhola Tower on Google Map.

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