Calcutta in the Cotswolds: Heritage Open Day Talk

As a part of the Cheltenham Heritage Open Day Weekend, starting 6^th September 2018 until the 9^th September 2018, there will be buildings and tours offered to the general public. Visitors can participate in various tours around the buildings and town centre.

Paradise Lost? is a talk about the relationship between The East India Company and the Raj, and its links to Cheltenham. The Talk takes a look at the company's occupation and influence in British India during the 18^th and 19^th Centuries. It is the perfect opportunity for those who want to know the meticulous history between Cheltenham and British India, how the relationship between these two places changed over the centuries and what resulted after The East India Company and the Raj lost their influence as a trading company and their connections with various Indian regions.

The talk will consider the various architectural similarities that are in Cheltenham and Calcutta as an example, and take a look at the Earl of Ellenborough and his influence on Britain as an Empire. His involvement in British government was a catalyst for “The Great Game” between Russia and the British Empire. The talk also highlights the Ladies' College as having a plethora of information in regards to the Anglo-Indian women who came over to be educated. If that wasn’t going to be enough information for you then brief introductions of some of the men who served in the army, such as; Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kennedy, Captain Christopher Codrington, Lieutenant General Sir William Whish, Major General Arthur Wellesley and Colonel Kendal Coghill will also be included.

For those who want a more hands-on experience, The Cheltenham Curry and Colonels Guided Tour takes you around a number of the places included in this talk. It provides historical information that gives a bigger picture to Cheltenham beyond the East India Company. They provide a backdrop to how the East India Company came to be and how Cheltenham came to get a royal charter from King George III. Not only having a wonderful tour around the centre of town visitors will be able to have a cooking class in the East India Cafe.  See more of event here. If you would like to read about Jim Markland's talk then please read here.