'Britishers lying in Cuttack Cemetery, Cuttack, Odisha, India' - by KJS Chatrath

 I visited the Cuttack English cemetery, known locally as the ‘Gora Kabar’, meaning the cemetery of the white people in 2006.

The Gora Kabar, one of the biggest and oldest cemeteries in Odisha was set up in a 5 acres land by the banks of River Mahanadi on the outskirts of city then by the East India Company (EIC) in 1822. By the end of 1803, the EIC had defeated the Marathas and captured Barabati. The presence of English officials and their families became significant after this occupation, and hence the need for a graveyard.

It was established in 1822 to bury British officials and their family members. Managed by the Odia Baptist Church of the city at present, the cemetery also houses the tomb of Madhusudan Das, known as the Madhusmruti. Das was a noted leader and is known as the architect of modern Odisha.

A nephew of English author Somerset Maugham was buried here. As the local information goes, a few years ago, his successors from England tracked the tomb and visited Gorakabar to pay homage to him.

 

 

 

My dashing colleague Abdaal M. Akhtar has given some interesting background about this late gentleman, 'Edwin McLeod Smith served as the Chairman of Cuttack Municipality for a few years in the early 1920s'. Thanks a lot Abdaal.

My dashing colleague Abdaal M. Akhtar has given some interesting background about this late gentleman 'This is the son of Mr Sidney Lionel Marwood, CIE, ICS, the then Collector of Cuttack who later also became the Revenue Commissioner of Orissa during the 2nd World War as also Adviser to the Governor'.

                                     Francis Cameron Wells          

Rosalinda Grace Heselton

Beloved wife of R.T.Heselton

Who died 3rd March 1918, aged 38 years

Come unto me ye weary, and I will give you rest.

 

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF

W.J. HERDMAN

Conductor 1st G. S. of P.W.D. CUTTACK

Formerly of the 101st Bengal Fusiliers

Served in BURMA & MUTINY* Campaigns

Died 3rd April 1877 in his 47th year.

"Blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord"

 

*FIRST WAR OF INDIAN INDEPENDENCE

 

In memory of

EMMA

Beloved wife of Samuel Ager

Principal Ravenshaw College

Died 25th May 1891.

Aged 53 years.

Not dead but sleeping.

 

In the memory of

LOUISA ELLA KERR

Beloved infant daughter of

Albert Dawson & Anne Martha Phelps

Born 29th December 1869

Died 24th June 1870. 

(Aged just 6 months!)

 

Sacred to the memory of

JAMES FAULDS THOMAS

Late Transport Superintandant

Electrification & Canal Company

Who resigned his spirit to God

On 5th May 1857

At age 28 years 10 months and 20 days

 

In loving memory of

JOHN PETER MARYWOOD

Born - December 1827

Died - January 1831 aged just 3 years...

 

(Photos taken by me & the write up based on information sourced from the internet)