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The Black Hole of Calcutta Myth and the Real Siraj-ud-Daulah
In this episode, Lucas and Luna revisit the infamous 'Black Hole of Calcutta' incident of 1756, separating myth from historical fact. They explore how John Zephaniah Holwell's sensational account shaped British colonial propaganda, the actual conditions of the prison at Fort William, and the complex character of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah—not the monster of British lore but a young ruler caught between Mughal decline, Maratha threats, and East India Company encroachment. Drawing on recent scholarship and contemporary records, the hosts discuss the death toll (likely far lower than…
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