The North Park Street Cemetery legacy resurfaced in January 2026 when Jason Walker, a lawyer from Melbourne, visited Kolkata to trace his family’s history. In a city where colonial cemeteries have often been erased or repurposed, Walker found himself standing before the Robertson Monument, the lone surviving tomb of the razed cemetery. His journey highlights the fragile balance between urban redevelopment and heritage preservation, and the emotional pull of ancestral memory across continents.
2. The Cemetery’s History
- Established in the 18th century, North Park Street Cemetery was once a resting place for colonial officials and families.
- It was levelled in 1953, making way for the Assembly of God Church, its school, and hospital.
- Among those buried were:
- Richmond Thackeray, father of novelist William Makepeace Thackeray.
- James Achilles Kirkpatrick, immortalised in William Dalrymple’s White Mughals.
- The cemetery symbolised Kolkata’s role as a colonial hub of administration, trade, and culture.
3. North Park Street Cemetery Legacy: The Robertson Monument
- The sole surviving tomb, known as the Robertson Monument, stands in a quiet corner of the grounds.
- Its dome is weathered, and its plaque scarred by neglect.
- Why it survived remains unclear—possibly due to the Robertson family’s police connections or its location in an unused corner.
- For descendants like Walker, it is a tangible link to a nearly erased past.
4. Jason Walker’s Family Connection
- Walker’s grandfather’s sister, Dorothy, married into the Robertson family.
- Many Robertsons served as deputy police commissioners in colonial Calcutta.
- Some left for Britain around 1947–48, while others stayed.
- Walker’s mother, Pamela Stock‑Hall, was born in Calcutta in 1947 and left in 1969.
- His ancestors worked across trades: indigo, tea, military, policing, and public works.
- One ancestor was a writer at Writers’ Buildings around 1820, marking the family’s first clear connection to Calcutta.
5. Memory and Nostalgia
- Walker first visited Calcutta in 1981–82 as a child.
- He has returned nearly ten times, drawn by the city’s energy and heritage.
- His father, an Australian, was captivated by Kolkata’s intensity.
- Walker described the city as a “tamasha”—always alive with activity.
- His nostalgia is tempered by acceptance: “You can’t live in the past; you have to move forward.”
6. Governance Challenges
The cemetery’s erasure and lone survival reflect:
- Urban redevelopment pressures in post‑independence Kolkata.
- Neglect of colonial heritage sites not deemed nationally significant.
- Lack of documentation of graves before demolition.
- Community disconnection from heritage once tied to colonial families.
7. Government External Links for Assistance
- Government of West Bengal: https://wb.gov.in
- Archaeological Survey of India: https://asi.nic.in
- Ministry of Culture, Government of India: https://indiaculture.gov.in
- Supreme Court of India: https://main.sci.gov.in
8. Historical Context of Kolkata’s Cemeteries
- South Park Street Cemetery: Preserved as a heritage site, attracting tourists and researchers.
- Lower Circular Road Cemetery: Still active, with graves of colonial families.
- North Park Street Cemetery: Erased, leaving only the Robertson Monument.
- The contrast shows how heritage preservation has been uneven across Kolkata.
9. Community Impact
- For descendants abroad, cemeteries are vital links to ancestry.
- For locals, they are reminders of Kolkata’s layered history.
- The erasure of cemeteries risks losing collective memory of the city’s multicultural past.
- Walker’s visit reignited interest in documenting what remains.
10. Global Comparisons
Similar heritage challenges worldwide:
- London: Many Victorian cemeteries repurposed into parks.
- Hong Kong: Colonial cemeteries demolished for urban expansion.
- Singapore: Bukit Brown Cemetery partly erased for highways.
Kolkata’s case mirrors these global struggles where urban growth collides with heritage preservation.
11. Governance Lessons
The Robertson Monument teaches:
- Documentation before demolition is essential.
- Community engagement ensures heritage sites remain relevant.
- Balanced urban planning can integrate heritage with modern needs.
- International collaboration can preserve ancestry links for diasporas.
12. Future Outlook – Heritage in Bengal
India must move towards:
- Digital archives of cemeteries and monuments.
- Public heritage trails linking preserved and erased sites.
- Educational programmes to connect youth with local history.
- Partnerships with diaspora communities for heritage funding.
13. Conclusion
The North Park Street Cemetery legacy lives on through the Robertson Monument and visitors like Jason Walker. His journey underscores the emotional power of heritage, the fragility of memory, and the need for governance that respects both urban growth and ancestral ties. For Kolkata, the lesson is clear: heritage preservation is not about living in the past, but ensuring the past remains part of the city’s living story.
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