The Governor-General's residence, completed in 1803 to Wellesley's order and modelled on Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire.
Description
The Governor-General’s residence, completed in 1803 to Wellesley’s order and modelled on Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. It cost an amount that scandalised the Court of Directors in London, which was rather the intention. Wellesley’s stated view was that India should be governed from a palace and not a counting house.
Four curved wings radiating from a central block, a domed hall, a marble staircase, and a ballroom.
Notable Features
The Senses
- Smell. Beeswax, hot lamp oil, hair powder, cut flowers, and five hundred people in wool and silk in thirty degrees.
- Sound. A string band working hard, and the flat roar of a very large room full of people who all know each other.
- Colour. White stucco and gilt, black windows, and candlelight multiplied through cut glass until the room hurts to look at.
Connections
- The Maidan to the south
- Lal Dighi nearby
- Edward Renwick
- Anglo Nepalese War
Appearances
Campaign Log
- Session 12 - The Governor’s Ball — Hosted the Governor’s Ball on the night of 11 October 1814, with some five hundred guests in the ballroom. On the carriage line outside, two thin figures in wet white cloth panicked the horses; a half-dozen bodyguards drove them off with sticks and the pair walked into the river (see Carriage Line at Government House). In the ante-room, the Broadwood Grand pianoforte proved badly out of tune when Lady Moira asked Emma Wentworth to play it.
Known Figures
What Happened Here
October 11, 1814
Carriage Line at Government House
Two changed men in wet white cloth walked the carriage line, humming, and panicked the horses. Six carriage bodyguards beat them with sticks without effect; both walked into the river unhurt.
Connections
People
Location of
- Lord Moira NPC neutralThe Governor-General's residence1 session: The Governor's Ball
Visited by
- Emma Wentworth Player character neutralAsked by Lady Moira to play the out-of-tune Broadwood at the Governor's Ball3 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to The Governor's Ball
- Freddy Cavendish Player character neutralAttended the Governor's Ball here on 11 October 18143 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to The Governor's Ball
- Georgiana Wentworth Player character neutralAttended the Governor's Ball here on 11 October 18143 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to The Governor's Ball
- Havildar Pratap Singh Player character neutralOn the carriage line outside the Governor's Ball3 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to The Governor's Ball
- Katherine Ward Player character neutralAttended the Governor's Ball here on 11 October 18143 sessions, The Magistrate's Table to The Governor's Ball
- Abrar NPC1 session: The Governor's Ball
- Apoo NPC1 session: The Governor's Ball
- Asif NPC1 session: The Governor's Ball
Places
Part of
- Calcutta 1814 Location neutralSeat of the Governor-General
Events
Location of
- Carriage Line at Government House Event hostileOutside the ball, among the waiting carriages