Record of police history
ANTARA DAS
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The Calcutta Police Museum is a repository of invaluable documents, photographs and arms. It traces the history of the Calcutta Police from its inception in 1704.
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The fear and excitement surrounding the first war of independence is palpable when viewing some exhibits.
Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury
Imposing red building: Housing artefacts from as early as 1704.
Fancy peering into the mechanism of a bomb, enclosed within the pages of a book that was sent to D.H. Kingsford, Chief Presidency Magistrate, Calcutta, in an unsuccessful attempt by revolutionaries to eliminate him? Or would you rather be intrigued by the damaged tyre and car parts of the vehicle that Charles Tegart, the Commissioner of Police, who escaped a bid on his life in 1930, was travelling in?
The Calcutta Police Museum is a repository of invaluable documents, photographs and arms. The perspective remains neutral, that of upholder of the law, reflecting the contention that the terrorist of yesteryear is the freedom fighter of independent India.
The museum traces the evolution of the Calcutta Police, from inception in 1704 as a watch and ward unit to guard the English settlements, through the days of the British Raj and the turbulent post-Independence period, down to the present day. While the changes in uniform, medals and shoulder badges record the changing nature of the forces, the documents offer a telling commentary on the affairs of the times.
Fascinating display
For example, as one reads the notice that was issued by the Police Commissioner on August 6, 1857, asking the force to keep a watch for the “bands of upcountry men” who “have been seen coming in the direction of Calcutta”, the fear and excitement surrounding the First War of Independence becomes palpable.
A similar feeling arises on seeing books like Matripuja, which were considered capable of exciting passions and hence banned by the British, as well as look-out notices issued for freedom fighters like Prithi Waddedar, an absconder
in the eyes of the law.
Another fascinating display consists of the vast array of arms, including a wide range of revolvers, pistols, daggers, kukris, swords and bomb shells, which were seized from various revolutionary dens.
Also on display are the fragments of the bomb that was hurled at Lord Hardinge on December 23, 1912, while he was travelling on elephant back in a ceremonial procession.
The bomb, we are informed, weighed one pound and eleven ounce and comprised a 1/4 pound Capstan Navy Cut tobacco tin, bound with steel wire and iron clamps.
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