Dutch Cemetery, Chinsura - Cemetery in Kolkata, Chinsurah - Hooghly, India

Among various European powers that set up their colonies in India, the Dutch were the second. The formation of the Dutch East India Company in 1602 also marked the arrival of the Dutch in India. They were here till 1825. Chinsurah -- on the western bank of Hooghly river, was a prosperous trading post of the Dutch East India Company in Bengal. This cemetery is one of the remaining Dutch heritages in Bengal.

This Dutch Cemetery contains an assortment of graves scattered under the shade of the trees. The graves include that of the former Dutch governors and other prominent personalities during those times. The tombs are varied in size, some of them being rather large. The oldest tomb is that of Sir Cornelius Jonge, who passed away in 1743 while the last recorded burial was held in 1887. The similarity in the architecture of the Dutch cemeteries in Tamil Nadu and Kerala are striking. The monuments are mostly brick, with black or white marble headstones and epitaphs. Until recently, site was in need of some care and protection from unruly visitors, but now as a protected Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site, it has been given a facelift.

A wonderful Dutch architecture. If you like adventure, you are in the right place. Chinsurah was a Dutch colony for almost two centuries. This cemetery was built by Governor Louis Taillefert. There are more than 200 graves of Dutch people here who died between 18th-19th century. In West Bengal, it is the largest non-British European cemetery. It is under restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is a protected monument.

It's a definite place to visit when in Chinaurah. It's interesting to know that while the English were in Calcutta, the French colonised the nearby port of Chandannagar and the Ditch came to chi aura also known as chuchura. This tiny town has a couple of places of interest including a Dutch cemetery which houses about 30th graves.

A place that holds a bit of history of Chinsurah in it. 45 Dutch graves in approximately 7400 square meter area give an unforgettable vintage vibes if you have interest in 18-19th century India. The oldest grave is of 1743. Archaeological Survey of India protects the place as national heritage. Different types and structures of tombs can be found. A must visit place if someone have interest to feel a bit of history.

This is an interesting and must visit place foe history lover. The cemetery is now under ASI or Anchilogical Survey of India. There are two cemetery. One is for dutch and another is for other christian community's. Authority is doing some renovations in the second cemetery. Dutch cemetery contains many Graves and Tombs. You can see even door in one tomb. You can see many graves and tombs are standing there and covered by wild grass. The place is safe. But it is recommended to visit the site as long as there is sunlight. Many boys use the place to take drugs and some also make romance there after evening. Otherwise there is no issues about security.

One of the neglected places of ASI, declared as 279 years old Heritage spot of Bengal, but lack of proper maintenance and preservation can be noticed throughout this historic landmark. The graves have been facing severe erosive problems due to the environmental issues. Many old graves are left marble looted from the grave walls. Now a days this place become a photogenic background of photography loving people, which also destroys the least beauty lying there. Otherwise the place is calm and the atmosphere here shivers a person in daylight also!! It attracts ghost hunters and investigators a lot. Also there are rumours of watching ghosts and non-body things during the night inside the boundary.

The Dutch Cemetery of Chinsurah was constructed on the order of the director of the Dutch East India Company in Bengal. The cemetery and all its graves are now maintained and Archaeological Survey of India.The cemetery, which was constructed in 1724, is believed to be the oldest in the country. The cemetery is built in the style of the Dutch architecture of the time, is surrounded by walls.