EPISODE · Jun 28, 2026 · 10 MIN
The Black Hole of Calcutta: Myth, Massacre, and Memory
from The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
In 1756, the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah captured Calcutta from the British East India Company. That night, 146 prisoners were locked in a small room — the 'Black Hole of Calcutta.' Only 23 survived. But how much of this story is true? In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into the controversy around John Zephaniah Holwell's account, the forensic evidence, and how the Black Hole became a rallying cry for British imperialism. They explore the political context of Siraj's siege, the battle of the batteries at Fort William, and the later historiography that debunked the death toll. Was it a deliberate atrocity, a tragic accident, or a colonial propaganda tool? And what does the Black Hole's legacy tell us about how empires remember? The hosts also touch on the broader Anglo-Bengali conflict and the aftermath that led to Plassey. A nuanced look at a story everyone thinks they know. #BlackHoleOfCalcutta #SirajUdDaulah #FortWilliam #JohnZephaniahHolwell #BritishEastIndiaCompany #Bengal #Calcutta #1756 #Plassey #ColonialPropaganda #HistoricalControversy #MythBusting #SiegeOfCalcutta #NawabOfBengal #AngloBengaliWar #History #FexingoHistory #SouthAsianHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
In 1756, the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah captured Calcutta from the British East India Company. That night, 146 prisoners were locked in a small room — the 'Black Hole of Calcutta.' Only 23 survived. But how much of this story is true? In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into the controversy around John Zephaniah Holwell's account, the forensic evidence, and how the Black Hole became a rallying cry for British imperialism. They explore the political context of Siraj's siege, the battle of the batteries at Fort William, and the later historiography that debunked the death toll. Was it a deliberate atrocity, a tragic accident, or a colonial propaganda tool? And what does the Black Hole's legacy tell us about how empires remember? The hosts also touch on the broader Anglo-Bengali conflict and the aftermath that led to Plassey. A nuanced look at a story everyone thinks they know. #BlackHoleOfCalcutta #SirajUdDaulah #FortWilliam #JohnZephaniahHolwell #BritishEastIndiaCompany #Bengal #Calcutta #1756 #Plassey #ColonialPropaganda #HistoricalControversy #MythBusting #SiegeOfCalcutta #NawabOfBengal #AngloBengaliWar #History #FexingoHistory #SouthAsianHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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The Black Hole of Calcutta: Myth, Massacre, and Memory
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