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© Copyright 1998, Jim Loy
On June 21, 1756, the headquarters of the East India Company was attacked by the anti-British forces of Suraj-ud-Daula, the nawab of Bengal. 146 prisoners were squeezed into the tiny one-room military jail at Fort William, for one evening. The room measured 18 ft. by 18 ft. The room temperature became very high, and only a small amount of water was given to a few prisoners. Prisoners died when they became too weak to stand, and were crushed by other prisoners. In the morning 23 prisoners were still alive. The jail became known as the Black Hole Of Calcutta.
Addendum:
The story comes from John Z. Holliwell, one of the survivors. Apparently, he exaggerated somewhat. It is now believed that about 64 people entered the Black Hole, of which 21 survived.