Description
Military headquarters of British India. A massive star-shaped fortress on the Hooghly’s east bank, south of White Town, surrounded by the open ground of the Maidan. Houses the garrison, powder magazine, military administration, officers’ quarters, and hospital.
A few dozen white officers commanding thousands of Indian soldiers. The investigators see the power dynamic in every interaction. The sepoys are disciplined, professional, loyal, and some of them serve Ghosh.
In October 1814, the fort is busier than usual. Lord Moira’s Gurkha campaign is in preparation: staff officers, supply requisitions, troop movements. This bustle provides cover for unusual questions and military contacts but also means senior officers are stretched thin and irritable.
Notable Features
The Garrison: Several thousand troops, British regiments and Bengal Native Infantry. The 67th BNI (Frome’s regiment) is stationed here.
The Powder Magazine: Guarded, restricted, authorisation needed.
The Parade Ground: Military reviews. Hundreds of sepoys in formation. Ghosh has agents among them. Which ones?
Officers’ Quarters: European officers billeted within the fort or in adjacent compounds. Thomas Wyndham could request quarters here. Adrien, if his military liaison cover holds, might be billeted alongside.
The Hospital: Military surgeons.
The Plan
The Fort as it stood in October 1814: six gates, the parade, the barracks, the magazine and the public buildings. The same plan is Plate V of the Gazetteer’s maps, and the Fort is a close-up in the river chart.
Connections
- Calcutta 1814 — Part of the city, south of White Town
- Valentine Frome — Captain, 67th BNI
- James Hatcherly — Lieutenant, Bengal Engineers, demolitions
- Edward Renwick — Major, Bengal Engineers, embankment project
- Hector Dunmore — Captain, Assistant to the Town Major
- Ram Adhin Tiwari, Ghulam Rasul — sepoys, newly detached to the Cavendish Compound guard
Appearances
Campaign Log
- Session 12 - The Governor’s Ball — Pratap Singh visited the Town Major’s office on Wednesday 12 October and made his case to Captain Hector Dunmore for more guards for the Cavendish Compound. Dunmore detached two sepoys, Ram Adhin Tiwari and Ghulam Rasul, to the compound guard, in exchange for a dinner invitation to meet the Wentworth sisters.
- Session 14 - A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities — Freddy called on Colonel Blackwood amid the preparations for the Gurkha campaign. The mess dinner is moved to Monday 17 October.
Connections
People
Commanded by
- Colonel Arthur Blackwood NPC neutralSenior garrison officer. Twenty-five years in India, presides over the mess.2 sessions, The Governor's Ball to A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities
Visited by
- Freddy Cavendish Player character3 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities
- Havildar Pratap Singh Player character neutralMade his case at the Town Major's office for more guards for the compound (12 October 1814)3 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities
Location of
- Edward Renwick NPC neutralMajor, Bengal Engineers. Supervises the upstream embankment project.3 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities
- Colonel Arthur Blackwood NPC neutralPosted to the Fort William garrison2 sessions, The Governor's Ball to A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities
- George Drury NPC neutralBengal Artillery2 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to The Governor's Ball
- Ghulam Rasul NPC neutralSepoy, newly detached to the Cavendish Compound guard1 session: The Governor's Ball
- Hector Dunmore NPC neutralCaptain, Assistant to the Town Major1 session: The Governor's Ball
- Ram Adhin Tiwari NPC neutralSepoy, newly detached to the Cavendish Compound guard1 session: The Governor's Ball
- James Hatcherly NPC neutralLieutenant, Bengal Engineers. Demolitions, powder magazine keys.
- Valentine Frome NPC neutralCaptain, 67th Bengal Native Infantry.
Places
Borders
- The Maidan Location neutralCleared as the fort's field of fire1 session: The Magistrate's Table
Part of
- Calcutta 1814 Location neutralMilitary headquarters of British India, star-shaped fortress on the Hooghly's east bank south of White TownMilitary headquarters of British India, star-shaped fortress on the Hooghly's east bank
Organisations
Ruled by
- East India Company Faction neutralHeadquarters of the Bengal Army, the Company's own military establishment2 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities
Events
Location of
- Anglo Nepalese War Event neutralCommanded and supplied from the Bengal Presidency's military headquarters1 session: The Magistrate's Table
- Renwick Located at Baranagar Event neutralThe Engineers Park and the 67th orderly room, where the records were cross-referenced
Mentions
Sessions
People
Places
Organisations
Events
- Ashworth Dinner Garden Reach
- Breakfast Revelation 12 October
- Hugh Cavendish Veranda Gathering
- Maidan Steeplechase and Tilts