EPISODE · May 7, 2026 · 4 MIN
The Great Bengal Earthquake of 1897: When the Earth Shook the Raj
from The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the cataclysmic 1897 Assam earthquake, also known as the Great Bengal Earthquake, which devastated the northeastern Indian subcontinent. They discuss how the 8.0+ magnitude quake on June 12, 1897, leveled Shillong, triggered landslides, and altered the course of the Brahmaputra River. Lucas delves into the British colonial response, including the work of geologist Thomas Oldham, who pioneered seismology in India. The episode highlights the human toll—over 1,500 dead—and the architectural destruction, including the collapse of the iconic Shillong church and damage to Calcutta's St. Paul's Cathedral. The conversation also touches on the economic impact on the tea industry and the legacy of this disaster in shaping modern earthquake science. No prior episodes have covered this natural disaster, making it a fresh angle on Bengal's hidden history. #GreatBengalEarthquake #1897Earthquake #AssamEarthquake #ThomasOldham #Shillong #Brahmaputra #Seismology #BritishRaj #ColonialBengal #TeaPlantations #NaturalDisaster #HistoricalEarthquake #Calcutta #StPaulsCathedral #Landslides #BengalHistory #FexingoHistory #History #PalaEmpire #SenaDynasty Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the cataclysmic 1897 Assam earthquake, also known as the Great Bengal Earthquake, which devastated the northeastern Indian subcontinent. They discuss how the 8.0+ magnitude quake on June 12, 1897, leveled Shillong, triggered landslides, and altered the course of the Brahmaputra River. Lucas delves into the British colonial response, including the work of geologist Thomas Oldham, who pioneered seismology in India. The episode highlights the human toll—over 1,500 dead—and the architectural destruction, including the collapse of the iconic Shillong church and damage to Calcutta's St. Paul's Cathedral. The conversation also touches on the economic impact on the tea industry and the legacy of this disaster in shaping modern earthquake science. No prior episodes have covered this natural disaster, making it a fresh angle on Bengal's hidden history. #GreatBengalEarthquake #1897Earthquake #AssamEarthquake #ThomasOldham #Shillong #Brahmaputra #Seismology #BritishRaj #ColonialBengal #TeaPlantations #NaturalDisaster #HistoricalEarthquake #Calcutta #StPaulsCathedral #Landslides #BengalHistory #FexingoHistory #History #PalaEmpire #SenaDynasty Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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The Great Bengal Earthquake of 1897: When the Earth Shook the Raj
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