A Fascinating Journey Through History: My Visit to Alipore Jail Museum

I had the pleasure of visiting the Alipore Jail Museum, located in the center of Kolkata. I've been looking forward to visiting this newly constructed historic museum, which showcases the rich history of one of India's pre-independence prison systems under the British Empire. I'll be taking you through my incredible journey and sharing the remarkable stories that have emerged during my visit.

The Historical Significance of Alipore Jail:

ALIPORE JAIL MUSEUM

Alipore jail holds a prominent place in Indian history having witness numerous significant events and incarcerations. Originally built in 1864 the prison served as a central institution for British India and played a crucial role during the Indian Independence movement .Many prominent freedom fighters including Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, Rishi Aurobindo, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to name a few were imprisoned within its wall.

The Alipore Jail Turned Into Memorial and Museum:

It was a correctional home until 2019. The Alipore Central Correctional Home's transition into a memorial and museum marks a significant shift. It is now a memorial to the sacrifices made by freedom warriors who fought for India's independence. The revision emphasizes its historical significance and acknowledges the atrocities committed upon those who fought for the country's independence. It is noteworthy that the Alipore Jail buildings have been rebuilt, and the museum is now open to the public.It is being done via the efforts of the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation. Mr. Partha Ranjan Das must have done an outstanding job as the architect in charge of the conservation work. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, officially inaugurated it on September 21st,but the public can visit from September 23rd.

Arriving at Alipore Jail Museum:

As I started walking inside Alipore Jail Museum, I was greeted by the imposing red-brick walls, which were 18 feet tall and unique, which made it inescapable that it had witnessed countless stories of resilience and sacrifice. Also, you can see a martyr’s monument on your right; it commemorates the sacrifice of our revolutionary freedom fighters during India's fight for independence. There was a sense of history and significance in the very atmosphere of the place. The museum exhibits are divided into different sections, providing an interesting perspective on the history of prisons .The display includes original artifacts, photographs and documents, expertly curated to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the jail’s significance.

Cells and Incarceration Conditions:

As I made my way through the museum, I stepped into the recreated prison cells, complete with original iron bars, narrow beds, and minimal furnishings. These cells offer a glimpse into the harsh conditions endured by the inmates. Reading the stories of those who suffered within these walls and the hardships they faced brought forth a sense of empathy and reflection.

The courtyard and Gallows:

As I made my way to this section, the courtyard and gallows, which stood as a somber reminder of the past, made it one of the most chilling yet thought-provoking sections of the museum. Here, visitors can see the original gallows and learn about the grim process of capital punishment during colonial times. In this place, once filled with the cries of the oppressed, a profound silence descended upon me. The haunting environment of the place and the stories associated with this area left a profound impact on me, reminding me of the struggle and our freedom fighters.

Gallows and British state

The French word for gallows “Potence” comes from the Latin word Potentia which means power. Law lay at the heart of the British imperial enterprise, and criminal justice was at the core of law. Discipline, punishment, and execution of the condemned were important instruments in the subjugation of the colonized by the colonizer. The Gallows in this regard served as a powerful tool and testament of British brutality on Indian rebels.

The Gallows at Alipore Jail:

The Gallows here are typical of the most prison gallows in modern times. It stands on a scaffold in the yard, erected at ground level over a pit that is enclosed in a small shed of stone, with the beam resting in brackets on top.

Condemned Cells:

There are three such cells for the death-row inmates. The condemned cells were witness to the last hours and thoughts of those condemned to the gallows. Sentenced prisoners were sometimes given access to the Gita and allowed to have meal of their choice as the jail authorities nominally tried to fulfill their last wishes.

Medical examination room or Autopsy room:

The convict would be medically examined and checked particularly after their execution in this room.This typically where doctor pronounce them dead and conduct post-mortem investigation.

A grim spectacle of Gallows from Adjacent condemned cells Building:

It is believed that prisoners were kept in condemned cells building facing the gallows so they could see their fellow prisoners being hanged to death and made an example of. It was also an incentive for revolutionaries who were still alive to behave themselves and reveal any secrets that may have been withholding from the empire. The following freedom fighters were executed at the Alipore jail under the British Empire.

List of Martyrs in Alipore Jail:

1.    Kanailal Dutta was executed on 10th November, 1908
2.    Satyendra Nath Bosu was executed 21st November, 1908
3.    Charu Chandra Bose was executed 19th March, 1909
4.    Birendranath Datta Gupta was executed 21st February, 1910
5.    Gopinath Saha (Gopimohan) was executed 1st March, 1924
6.    Pramode Ranjan Choudhury was executed 28th September, 1926
7.    Ananta Hari Mitra was executed 28th September, 1926
8.    Dinesh Gupta was executed 7th July, 1931
9.    Ramkrishna Biswas was executed 2nd March, 1932