The Hindu : Restoring the glory of a cemetery

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 30, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Restoring the glory of a cemetery

By Divya Sreedharan

Bangalore Nov. 29. A part of Bangalore that connects the city with its colonial past is finally getting some attention.

The nearly 200-year-old Agaram cemetery is between the ASC Centre and the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) parade grounds. There are over 840 graves of British soldiers and civilians there, some dating back to 1808. Now the ASC Centre, the MEG, and some concerned citizens are trying to restore its past glory.

The cemetery, also known as the Old Protestant Cemetery, lies on Defence land. Civilians are not allowed inside. But over the years, it has fallen into ruin. The former Chief of Naval Staff, O.S. Dawson, has been trying since 1993 to get people involved in restoring the cemetery. "It is part of Bangalore's heritage", he points out.

His efforts have found support in Ronald Johnson, who on his site, http://www.geocities.com/ronnie.Johnson, has put up pictures of the cemetery and its history. According to him, the cemetery was disused around 1870 and abandoned after the 1920s.

The tombs and gravestones reflect many architectural styles. Mr. Johnson says undertakers such as S. Mullenex and Nelson and Black built most of the graves with very large granite slabs and blocks. But with time, some gravestones were used for a dividing wall between the cemetery and the KSRP. Eventually, the place became overgrown.

Each tombstone has a story, humorous or poignant. One headstone, for example, lies over the remains of Lt. Col. Peter Latouche Chambers, HM (Her Majesty's) 41st Regiment, and his wife Emily Ann, who died in the "epidemic cholera that swept Bangapilly on August 29, 1827". A grave near the entrance is that of Uriel Truelove, who died of cholera on January 5, 1855. The oldest grave is dated 1808, that of Sgt. Major Kelly, HM 59th Regiment of Foot. "It is said one of the soldiers buried there was executed because he refused to drink his pint of rum!", says Mr. Johnson on his page.

It will take a lot of money to restore the cemetery. So far, Admiral Dawson has had discussions with the ASC and the MEG on this and even the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, had evinced interest in the project.

Admiral Dawson had earlier wanted a "Garden of Remembrance" on the site. Now the ASC and MEG plan a "permanent memorial" at Manekshaw Parade Ground, he says. It is still unclear when work will begin, who will do what or where the money will come from. Admiral Dawson knows that this will take a lot more time. But he is happy that he has commitments for help.

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