Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Coming soon - my book on Genoa Monumental Cemetery, Italy - Dr. K.J.S.Chatrath


Genoa Monumental Cemetery (Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno) is one of the most renowned cemeteries in Italy and Europe, located in Genoa. Opened in 1851, it is famous for its elaborate funerary art and sculptures, reflecting 19th- and early 20th-century artistic styles, especially Realism and Symbolism. Many of the tombs were created by prominent Italian sculptors, making the cemetery an open-air museum of sorts. 

Staglieno is the final resting place of notable figures such as Giuseppe Mazzini (Italian patriot), Fabrizio De AndrĂ© (singer-songwriter), and Constance Lloyd (Oscar Wilde’s wife). Nestled on a hillside, the cemetery also offers panoramic views of the city and is a profound expression of Genoese history and culture.

   


 


 



Wednesday, April 30, 2025

My 48th book 'Milano Monumental Cemetery, Italy' published - K J S Chatrath

 Milano Monumental Cemetery: A brief backgrounder

Some Italian cemeteries are called "monumental" because they are characterized by large, impressive architecture, often featuring elaborate tombs, statues, and sculptures that are considered works of art, according to ResearchGate and Apollo – The International Art Magazine. These cemeteries are not just burial grounds, but also serve as open-air museums of funerary art, reflecting Italian identity and national pride. I visited one such cemetery in Milano Italy in 2018. 

 

The Cimitero Monumentale di Milano, or the Monumental Cemetery of Milan, is not only a resting place for the departed but also a breathtaking open-air museum...   ...   ...

 

Cover

 

  Back cover

 .....

Printed on glossy art paper.  May like to contact chatrath@gmail.com for obtaining a copy.  

 

Friday, October 25, 2024

'Price paid for Colonialism - early deaths of women and children - Lothian Cemetery, Delhi' - by K J S Chatrath

 


The oldest British cemetery in Delhi is the Lothian Cemetery which was established in 1808.  It was in use for more than a century before it was closed to burials during the 1960s.

Buried in the cemetery are those who belonged to the local Christian community between 1808 and 1867. Throughout the cemetery are graves of members of the East India Company and their families who perished during India’s first cholera outbreak during the 19th-century.

Also buried in the cemetery are English servicemen who died during India' First War of Independence in 1857. The rebellion was primarily aimed at the rule of the East India Company. 

One is sorry to note the deaths of children and young ladies in large numbers. May the departed souls rest in eternal peace. 

When I visited it on 4th November 2007, parts of it appeared to be under threat of  getting enchroached upon. 

Here are some of the inscriptions on the gravestones that I had noted down:

Sacred to the memory of

Mary

daughter of David Evans ,

Sarj Major, 1st Battln, 16 NL

who departed this life

on the 9th of March 1813

Aged 9 months & 10 days.

-----

Sacred to the memory of

Harry Deane

The sixth & beloved son of

Lieut. & Mrs. Burton

10th Regiment

who died at Delhi on the10th day of October 1842

Aged 3 years and 3 months.

(J.Butteress, Delhi) 

----- 

Sacred to the memory of

Rebecca

the infant daughter of

Mr. A. Beatty,

Asst. Commissioner of Ordinance

who departed this life

the 1st of August 1826

Aged 8 months & 11 days 

-----

Sacred to the memory of

Jane

Late wife of Thomas Bates,

Garrison Sarjeant Major of Delhi

who departed the life on

25th June 1824

Aged 19 years 

and

T.M.Bates

 son of the aove,

who died 25th of November 1829

Aged 7 years & 9 months.

(I.Clifford & Co)

-----

Sacred to the memory of

Alexander O'Connor

son of

Alexander & Hannah Nixon

Died on 19th September 1844

Aged 8 days.

----- 

Sacred to the memory of

 Caroline Amelia

daughter of John Bowles

Department of Public Works

who departed this life on

8th January 1832

Aged 5 months & 2 days.

-----

Sarah Louisa

infant daughter of 

Conductor Ralph Salt

Died 6th December 1832

Aged 1year 1 month & 11 days.

-----

 Sacred to the memory of

George

infant son of 

Harry & Matilda Marten

who departed this life

on the 6th March 1831

Aged 2 months & 2 days 

-----

 In memory of

John Edward Caldwell

infant son of

Joseph & Sarah Caldwell

who departed this life

on November 10, 1849

Aged 1 month & 9 days

-----

 Sacred to the memory of

Osmond Theophilus

infant son of

S.V. & E Foy

who departed this life

November 13 1841.  

-----

 Sacred to the memory of

Sabina Magdaline

youngest daughter of the 

late Godlys Lumley Esq.

who departedd this life

on 26th April 1832

Aged 6 years.

-----

 Sacred to the memory of

Robert Atkinson

The Conductor of Ordnance 

who departed this life

 on September 26, 1815

Aged 18 years

This monument is erected to his memory 

by M.E. Elden

his affectionate friend
This modest stone what few vain marbles can
May truly say here
Lies an honest man
Of manner gentle of affections mild 
a man with simplicity of a child
True companion and an easy friend
Unblam'd through life, Lamented in his end. 
-----

-----

Some British ladies and gentlemen who too lie buried in the Lothian Cemetery

-----

 Sacred to the memory of

Potgator

File Major 2nd Btn, 28th Regiment Number 1

who departed this life on the 12th February 1824

Aged 42 years. 

-----

Sacred to the memory of

M. John Plomer 

Conductor Ordinance

who departed this life

on the 3rd July

In the year of our Lord 1837

Aged 40 years. 

-----

Sacred to the memory of

Matilda Young

wife of J.B.Young Esq.

who departed this life on the 

19th March 1832 

-----

 Sacred to the memory of

P. Gibbals

Magazine Sarjeant,

Died n 11th March 1820

Aged 54 years

----- 

Sacred to the memory of

James 

Flying Sarjent Sappers

who died on 9th September 1851

Aged 30 years.

-----

Sacred to the memory of

Quarter Master Sarjeant

Richard Walker

of the 1st Battalion 22nd Native Regiment

who departed this life on the 

19th October 1808

aged 37 years

leaving a widow and 4 children

to lament the loss

The officers of the Corps

Impressed with a sense of his conduct

Erected this monument

to the memory of the deceased

-----

















Friday, October 18, 2024

Inscriptions in All Saints Church, Conoor, India - shared by K.J.S.Chatrath

 

I visited the All Saints Church, Conoor, India on 16th January 2009. Here are some of the inscriptions inside the church that I noted down: 

Brass Plate

This Tesselated Pavement was presented

In affectionate memory of

Captain Wentworth Vernon Cole R.N.

by his friends, and

dedicated on Passion Sunday

7th April, 1935.

-----

Brass Plate

n loving memory of

Wentworth Vernon Cole

Captain Royal Navy

Born at  Cirencestor, England

20th April 1861

Died at sea 26th April 1934.

----- 

Brass Plate

Sacred to the memory of 

Major T.B. Nicholson, O.B.E.

Eldest son of Sir Fredrick Nicholson & Lady Nicholson

Born March 15, 1876

Died October 3rd 1939

Life for Evermore

-----

 Brass Plate

In Memory of

William Mullaly

of Ibex Lodge, Conoorwhere he resided from 1859

to the date of his death April 1913,

aged 73 years

and his wife

Matilda Anne Mullaly

who died at Southsea, June 1917.

-----

  Brass Plate

To the glory of God

And in memory of

Arthur Charles Puddephat

for many years lay trustee

of this church

who entered into rest on Saturday, July 12th, 1930. 

This tablet was erected as a token of esteem

----- 

Brass Plate

To the glory of God

And in memory of

Richard Wooley

of Woodcote Conoor

who died in England on 10th May 1895.

The pioneer of Nilgiri Railways

Also of Percy William Wooley  

son of the above who died in Conoor

11th June  1926

A token of remembrance of the good he did.

All Rest. 

-----

Brass Plate

To the glory of God

And in beloved memory of my husband

Joshua Rowley Watson

Lt. Colonel Indian Army

who died 1st May 1911, aged 67

and our only son

Bertie Rowley Watson 

Lance Corpl 7th Queen's own Hussars 

who died 17th October 1894

aged 19.

 And our infant daughter

Florence Beatrice Watson

who died 18th February 1886

Aged 4 months

"They are without fault before the throne of God

Till the day dawn and the shadows flee away"

-----

 Brass Plate

In memory of

 William Lee Kirby of Brooklands

who died at Conoor May 4. 1895

From the effects of a carriage accident

Aged 43 years

Erected by a few of his old friends

In token of their affection and esteem.

-----

Aluminium Plate

 In the glory of God

This War Memorial Chapel

was dedicated by Dr. Whitehead , 

Bishop of Madras

on Sunday April 16, 1922

The marble steps. Tesselated and the pavements 

were presented by A church member and dedicated

on September 17, 1933.

-----

 Brass Plate

In memory of

Louise Mary Counsell

A regular worshipper of this church, and 

a member of the choir

for many years

Called to higher service

14th January 1940.

-----

 IMO

Anne Eliza Royal Dawson

a faithful member of the church choir

for many years

Entered into rest on 29th January 1926

'I will bless the Lord at all times'

-----