Archive · 1 Aug 2025
Kolkata's Role: How the Black Hole Inspired Einstein's Black Hole Theory
In 1756, a tragic event called the Black Hole of Calcutta occurred in India, where many Europeans died after being imprisoned.
This event, described as a 'massacre', later inspired the name for the scientific concept of a Black Hole in Albert Einstein's theory.
An American astronomer, John A Wheeler, is credited with applying this name to the concept.
The event led to controversy over the number of deaths, which inspired British monuments, and led to opposition from Indian figures like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who demanded its removal and promoted the idea that it was a stain on the memory of the Nawab, Siraj-ud-Daulah.
The Black Hole of Calcutta, a historical event, inspired the term 'Black Hole' in Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
The Black Hole incident involved the imprisonment and deaths of Europeans in a dungeon in Fort William, Kolkata.
John Holwell, a survivor, claimed 146 deaths, but this figure is disputed by other researchers.
The British erected the Holwell Monument to commemorate the event, but it was later relocated due to opposition led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The incident's impact extended to the execution of Siraj-ud-Daulah and the naming of a key concept in astrophysics.
- Who
- Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah imprisoned Europeans. John Holwell, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and others were involved with the event.
- What
- The Black Hole of Calcutta was an event where Europeans were imprisoned resulting in many deaths, which later inspired the name for black holes.
- When
- June 20, 1756.
- Where
- Kolkata, India (Fort William).
- Why
- The Nawab attacked Kolkata because of the Company's failure to stop fortifying the city.
British Perspective
Indian Perspective
Casualty Figures and Historical Significance
British Perspective
The event was a brutal massacre.
Indian Perspective
The event has been historically overstated and exaggerated for political reasons.
- Event
- Black Hole of Calcutta
- Location
- Kolkata, India (Fort William)
- Date
- June 20, 1756
- Inspired the Term
- Black Hole (astrophysics)
- Influential figures
- Siraj-ud-Daulah, John Holwell, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Albert Einstein