As I stepped inside the premises of the once-functional Alipore Central Jail in Kolkata, I was swept by a wave of profound sadness. I know not why.
Located just 15 minutes walking distance from my residence in Kolkata, this was one place that I had passed by numerous times without even giving it a second glance. It bore no real importance in my life.
But on the 05th of January 2023, when I visited the “Old Alipore Jail” which has now been converted into a museum, its importance in my life simply presented itself before me. Once under the British rule, this was where many martyrs lay their lives to give us the freedom which I (and billion others) now cherish.
These are the same ‘lives’ that were reverently mentioned in our history and Bengali literature books, the same ‘lives’ that I had grown up reading about, the same ‘lives’ I had solemnly paid my respects to for their sacrifice, the same ‘lives’ who could have lived a longer life but chose to sacrifice theirs for the sake of our motherland and our freedom.
Inaugurated by the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamta Banerjee on the 21st of September, the Old Alipore Jail was restored to its glory and converted into a museum to commemorate the martyrdom of the freedom fighters of Bengal and to celebrate 75 years of Independence.
Structure of the Jail
According to the Prison Discipline under 1888 Macaulay Committee Report, the architecture of the Alipore Central Jail was reflective of the colonial mindset of the management that constructed wards to segregate the inmates and also keep them isolated from each other.
The aim was to prevent communication between two inmates for which the narrow stone beds and embedded stone rests were elevated and placed at alternate orientations.
Sections of the Museum
The Alipore Jail Museum consists of the following sections:
• Gallows
• Watch tower
• Special cells
• General cells
• Detention Cells
• Jail Canteen
• Jail Hospital Exhibitions
• Coffee shop
Gallows
As you enter the Alipore Jail Museum, the first section you get to visit is the gallows. The subtle feeling of foreboding still lingers in that spot that has witnessed the hanging of a significant number of martyrs. Adjoining the gallows are the cells where prisoners used to be kept before their sentencing. As I walked past every historical marker that mentioned the list of martyrs, the sufferings they were put through and the atrocities of the British, I couldn’t help but wonder how a place of such somber memories is attracting the crowd to walk up, take videos and pictures of a place that has witnessed gut-wrenching events.
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Wiping a tear that had started forming in the corner of my eye, I had to dismiss my thoughts lest I come across as cynical. But that place did not deserve giggles, and blithe disregard as a site that was subjected to numerous unjust deaths – what it deserved was a moment of silence from the visitors as a sign of gratitude and respect for what the martyrs stood for and sacrificed themselves.
I did not have the heart to take a picture of this place, so I simply paid my respects and exited the section.
The picture that you see has been taken from The Statesman. The others are my own.
List of Martyrs
• Kanailal Dutta - executed on the 10th of November 1908.
• Satyendra Nath Bosu - executed on the 21st of November 1908.
• Charu Chandra Bose - executed on the 19th of March 1909.
• Birendranath Datta Gupta - executed on the 21st of February 1910.
• Gopinath Saha (Gopimohan) - executed on the 1st of March 1924.
• Pramode Ranjan Choudhury - executed on the 28th of September 1926.
• Ananta Hari Mitra - executed on the 28th of September 1926.
• Dinesh Gupta - executed on the 7th of July 1931.
• Ramkrishna Bis- - executed on the 2nd of March 1932.
• Dinesh Majumdar - executed on the 9th of June 1934.
Watch tower
A few steps ahead is the watch tower which was strategically constructed at the centre of the courtyard to keep the entire jail complex under surveillance. Functional since the time of the British till 2019 when Alipore Jail still housed prisoners.
Special Cells
The cells which housed dignitaries like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Deshapriya Jatindra Mohan Sengupta have been named after them and the statues of Netaji, Nehru, Chittaranjan Das and Bidhan Chandra Roy have been placed in and around their respective cells. The historical markers beside each cell would inform you of the tenure each spent in their cells.
General Cells
A double storeyed building resembling barracks were created under the British system of discipline and punishment, that could accommodate no more than 50 prisoners in each division.
Detention Cells
Located right across the gallows to invoke fear among inmates by making them witness the execution of their fellow prisoners. Not only that, but the gallows also served as a motivation for revolutionaries to impart information that they might be withholding.
Jail Canteen
Initiated by “lifers” (inmates serving life sentences) who had previous experience in cooking or running a canteen, this jail canteen was established in 2009. The canteen would sell snacks, tea and coffee in addition to the meals and breakfast that were served free of cost to inmates. Coupons were used to purchase these items which were sold at subsidized rates for the prisoners. They could either use the money they would earn a day (INR 25) or even their relatives could deposit money to help them in purchasing the coupons. Since a self-help group of 10 lifers were running the canteen, working there would help them to earn money too that they could deposit with the jail officials or even send to their families.
Jail Hospital Exhibitions
The infirmary that was constructed in the 1900s within the walled yards but outside the jail now houses exhibitions which speak extensively about some of the revolutionaries of Bengal!
The exhibition includes:
Bengal in India’s independence struggle
• Bengal in India’s independence struggle
• Behind the bars
• Story of martyrs
• Tribute to Aurobindo Ghose
• Tribute to women freedom fighters of Bengal
• Tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
• Souvenir and Coffee Shop
• Ekante Independence Kitchen
Coffee shop
Where visitors now sit and indulge in a variety of snacks, coffee and tea but definitely not at subsidized rates!!
Entry Fee: INR 30/person (Full ticket for children above 3 years)
Entry Timing: 11 am to 5.30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
One of the places of historical importance in Kolkata - the once Alipore Central Jail (also known as Presidency Jail) that is now Alipore Jail Museum was built in 1864 houses records of Bengal revolutionaries whose contribution towards India’s freedom fight has been monumental and each one of them need to be recognized and remembered with reverence and gratitude.
As someone who has grown up reading about these revolutionaries, it was a walk down the memory lane at this historical monument that stood as a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom; depicting the sacrifice of the selfless freedom fighters.
It is a place which would invariably invoke a deep of pride, veneration and gratefulness in any Indian.
It did mine, I am sure it would do yours too.
Happy Independence Day!!
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