The Lasting Legacy of Colonial Cemeteries in South Asia

The work examines how colonial cemeteries reflect the British Empire’s history in the region. Nearly two million Europeans were buried in these sites which documented imperial expansion. After 1947, the declining upkeep led to the formation of BACSA to preserve these historical markers amid postcolonial changes.

The Lasting Legacy of Colonial Cemeteries in South Asia explores the interplay between architecture and historical memory, highlighting how colonial cemeteries serve as enduring reminders of the British Empire in the region. During British rule, nearly two million Europeans were interred in government-controlled cemeteries, which not only housed their remains but also chronicled the expansion of Britain’s Indian Empire, its military endeavours, and commercial activities. After India gained independence in 1947, these cemeteries were transferred to the new governments, which showed little interest in their upkeep. The British High Commission attempted to manage them through local Christian committees, but this initiative faltered by the late 1950s due to funding issues. In response to the rapid decay of these sites, the British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia (BACSA) was formed to preserve these historical markers and the colonial memories they embody in a changing postcolonial landscape.