Black Hole of Calcutta

June 20, ¸1759, Calcutta, India, 140 people were imprisoned, 23 released.

In the golden age of the British imperialism and East Indian Company, the English set down the foundations of the William fort. Dissatisfied with the increased political and military presence of royal forces, Nawab (governor) of Bengal, Siraj Ud Daulah, raised an army and started a siege.

The fort fell due to organised fleeing and deserters. After Siraj’s troops took over control of the fort, some 140 people were forced into a cell 4.3 x 5.5 metres in size. The prisoners pleaded for help the entire night, pleading for water, air, dying from heat, heart attacks and cramps. When Ud Daulah woke up the next morning and decided to release the prisoners, only 23 survived.