46. The Black Hole of Calcutta - The History Behind The Phrase

The History Chap Podcast · Jun 21, 2023 · 18m

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"It's like the Black Hole of Calcutta" is a phrase regularly used to describe an overcrowded or stuffy room.

But where does it come from?

Well, it is actually based upon a real historic event.

In 1756, a large number of British prisoners were crowded into a tiny cell in Calcutta, India.

Measuring just 14 x 18 feet, they spent a night in this jail in tropical temperatures with no water.

Less than a third survived.

This is the story of that event, plus the events that led up to it and the aftermath.

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