Scene in dem Eden Garten Calcutta

The photograph from the Elgin Collection: ‘Spring Tours 1894-98’ by Bourne & Shepherd (British Library, n.d.) illustrates the Eden Gardens in Calcutta by an unidentified photographer. The present-day Eden Garden was originally the village of Gobindapur. The larger part of the village was stagnant water and dense jungle ridden with tigers. This area underwent reclamation after the Battle of Plassey (De, 2010). The foundation of the gardens was first laid by the family of Lord Auckland, making it one of the most priced possessions of the family. The gardens were personally tended to by the Viceroy’s two sisters, Misses Edens. In 1840, the gardens were opened to the public for recreation and an artificial pond was made. Thus, it came to be known as the Auckland Circus Garden. In 1854, it was renamed Eden Gardens. In 1856 Lord Dalhousie installed a Burmese Pagoda within the area. Finally, in 1864 Eden Gardens Park was extended and given to Calcutta Cricket Club with exclusive rights (Mukherji, 2015).

This work was displayed as part of Sarmaya’s exhibition – ‘In the Dappled Light’ (29th March – 4th May 2025)