The Park Street Cemetery was one of the earliest non-church cemeteries in the world, and probably the largest Christian cemetery outside Europe and America in the 19th century. Opened in 1767 on what was previously a marshy area, the cemetery was in use until about 1830 and is now a heritage site, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The cemetery was opened to relieve the pressure on the old burial ground in the heart of the city. The road leading to the cemetery came to be known as the Burial Ground Road but was subsequently renamed Park Street after the park around Vansittart's garden house. By the year 1785 the burial ground had been extended on the northern side of Park Street and by 1840 a vast new cemetery was opened to the east of the Lower Circular Road. The Europeans started to disuse it in the year 1790. It has been confirmed by a marble plaque at the gate which reads "South Park Street, Opened:1767, Closed:1790". Tollywood's Bengali film, Gorosthaney Sabdhan was shot here. The film was based on the novel of the same name by Satyajit Ray.
Major-General Charles Stuart, army officer and Indophile popularly known as "Hindoo Stuart"
Walter Landor Dickens, son of English novelist Charles Dickens. He was buried initially in Bhowanipore war cemetery and the tombstone was later moved here in 1987
The memorials are almost all architecturally imposing and replete with classical details and sculptures. Among the interesting professions mentioned in the epitaphs are: breeder of cattle, jail-keeper, silversmith, schoolteacher, architect, translator, livery, printer, head tide-waiter, park superintendent, cooper, postmaster and surgeon.
Grave 363 and the oldest
This grave contains only the following epitaph, possibly indicating that the person wished to remain anonymous: "A virtuous mother ". The oldest grave in this graveyard is of Mrs.S.Pearson.
Features
The tombs are a mix of Gothic and the rich flavour of the Indo-Saracenic style. Among the Indo-Saracenic tombs is a unique and composite brick structure built in the ‘panchyatana’ manner, with a central dome flanked by miniature replicas of Orissan ‘rekha deul’ on four sides. Coupled with this peculiarity, the black basalt carvings on the frontal façade indicate a distinct respect for the Hindu faith.
Controversies
A well known business family wanted to turn the cemetery into an arts centre. The demolition work had begun in 1984 and the Calcutta High Court intervened and issued an order stopping further construction work. Nevertheless, substantial damage had already been done by then and many graves were lost. The grave of Charles Stuart was destroyed and the demolition of Derozio's grave had been initiated, when, Justice Bagbati Banerjee of Calcutta High Court issued orders to stop further construction work.
North Park Street Cemetery
The former North Park Street Cemetery is now the site of the Assembly of God Church School and the Mercy Hospital with only a sole grave standing that recalls its past. The Lower Circular Road cemetery still exists today and is used for burial, although it has fewer monuments.
