John Zephaniah Holwell

John Zephaniah Holwell

John Zephaniah Holwell (1711 – 1798) was a British surgeon, colonial administrator, and author known for his account of the Black Hole of Calcutta incident. He was also a notable figure in the early study of Indian culture and religion.

Early Life

Holwell was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1711. He studied medicine and became a surgeon, eventually joining the British East India Company.

Career in India

Holwell arrived in India in the 1730s and quickly rose through the ranks of the British East India Company. He was appointed as a surgeon and later took on administrative roles. Holwell is best known for his tenure as a colonial administrator in Bengal.

The Black Hole of Calcutta

Holwell is most famously associated with the Black Hole of Calcutta incident, which occurred on the night of June 20, 1756. According to Holwell's account, 146 British prisoners were confined in a small dungeon, leading to the deaths of 123 due to suffocation and heat exhaustion. Holwell's narrative of the event was widely publicized and contributed to the British justification for subsequent military actions in India.

Contributions to Indian Studies

Holwell had a deep interest in Indian culture and religion. He authored several works on the subject, including "Interesting Historical Events, Relative to the Provinces of Bengal, and the Empire of Indostan." His writings provided early European insights into Hinduism and other aspects of Indian society.

Later Life and Death

After returning to England, Holwell continued to write and lecture on his experiences in India. He passed away in 1798.

Legacy

Holwell's accounts, particularly of the Black Hole of Calcutta, have been both influential and controversial. While his narrative was accepted for many years, modern historians have questioned the accuracy and motives behind his descriptions.

Related Pages

• Black Hole of Calcutta
• British East India Company
• Bengal
• Hinduism
• Colonial India

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