Located in the scenic Belvedere Estate, in Kolkata, the National Library of India has a reputation of being one of the most haunted locations in the city.
Most people will experience disembodied footsteps but it is the long time staff and caretakers who have seen the mysterious apparitions.
Most people will experience disembodied footsteps but it is the long time staff and caretakers who have seen the mysterious apparitions.
A Secret Chamber
It looks more like a palace than a library. In 2010, as the National Library of India was undergoing some restoration work by the Archaeological Survey of India, a secret chamber was discovered.
The chamber itself was thought to be 1000sq feet and was located on the ground floor. No obvious openings could be located, except for a archway that had been bricked in. Trapdoors leading to the chamber from the first floor were sought out but none were found.
The building, standing on the historic Belvedere Estate in Alipore, had been the residence of many prominent figures including Warren Hastings (the first Governor General of Bengal), and the Viceroy of India.
Why was there a large and completely closed off room located in the middle of a former governors residence?
The chamber itself was thought to be 1000sq feet and was located on the ground floor. No obvious openings could be located, except for a archway that had been bricked in. Trapdoors leading to the chamber from the first floor were sought out but none were found.
The building, standing on the historic Belvedere Estate in Alipore, had been the residence of many prominent figures including Warren Hastings (the first Governor General of Bengal), and the Viceroy of India.
Why was there a large and completely closed off room located in the middle of a former governors residence?
Simply Stunning. It was suggested that maybe it was a punishment room - early British officials could be a somewhat cruel bunch and bricking people up alive in rooms was not unheard of. Could this have been a punishment room, skeletons and possible devices of torture inside?
Maybe it was filled with ill gotten treasure?
The punishment room idea seemed to get the most publicity, not just because we humans seem to have an interest for the darker side of history but also because the National Library of India is said to be very, very haunted. What better reason for their being ghosts in the building than cruel pain and death!
Maybe it was filled with ill gotten treasure?
The punishment room idea seemed to get the most publicity, not just because we humans seem to have an interest for the darker side of history but also because the National Library of India is said to be very, very haunted. What better reason for their being ghosts in the building than cruel pain and death!
Some History and Haunts
An illustration dating back to the 1800s. As mentioned, the history of the building housing the National Library of India is quite grand. Built in the mid 1700's it was, over the years, home to a number of very prominent people all the way through to the libraries opening in 1953. However, reports of ghosts do not go back to the beginning of the building but only start appearing in the 1840's, with guards and foot soldiers telling of run ins with all manner of strange entities – ghosts, poltergeists, doppelgangers and even banshees (though they are not known by such names in India).
Caretakers over the years have told of disembodied footsteps and students who have walked the aisles searching for books, have felt they are closely shadowed by unseen presences. The footsteps are attributed to the restless spirit of an ex governors wife.
Caretakers over the years have told of disembodied footsteps and students who have walked the aisles searching for books, have felt they are closely shadowed by unseen presences. The footsteps are attributed to the restless spirit of an ex governors wife.
Belvedere Estate. But it is the staff (and guards prior to the buildings conversion to a library) who have seen her. Appearing in dress reminiscent of the 1800's she will suddenly appear amongst the books and desks of the library after dark. The only fear is not knowing when she will next turn up, her sudden appearance being startling at best.
As with most old buildings with 'dead residents' it is during times of great change that activity ramps up and this is very true of the library. When the National Library was relocated into the building there was much work carried out in order to suit its new purpose. This was a time when the ghostly woman was seen quite frequently and as such it was not long before the libraries reputation of being one of India's most haunted buildings took hold.
As with most old buildings with 'dead residents' it is during times of great change that activity ramps up and this is very true of the library. When the National Library was relocated into the building there was much work carried out in order to suit its new purpose. This was a time when the ghostly woman was seen quite frequently and as such it was not long before the libraries reputation of being one of India's most haunted buildings took hold.
The Chamber Revealed!
At sunset the library takes on a much different feel. Deaths are not all confined deep in the past. As new buildings were being constructed or added onto the estate, a number of workers were killed in various construction accidents. It is believed that their spirits return as black masses and can inflict illness on those who see them. As such people warn it is not good to stay on the property after dark – even if the library is still open.
As for the hidden chamber. It was decided that rather than break down a wall and potentially damage something priceless on the other side, it would be best to drill a hole and take a look through it.
What the archaeologists found was something a lot more surprising than either skeletons or treasure – they found mud. It is believed that it was a empty cavity filled with mud in order to strengthen the buildings foundations. Still, many ask why there was an arch that was bricked in if it was never meant to be entered.
And of course, could there be something buried, hidden, in the mud?
As for the hidden chamber. It was decided that rather than break down a wall and potentially damage something priceless on the other side, it would be best to drill a hole and take a look through it.
What the archaeologists found was something a lot more surprising than either skeletons or treasure – they found mud. It is believed that it was a empty cavity filled with mud in order to strengthen the buildings foundations. Still, many ask why there was an arch that was bricked in if it was never meant to be entered.
And of course, could there be something buried, hidden, in the mud?
Ashley Hall 2013
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