On this day, the British Governor-General banned horse-racing and all gambling activities in Kolkata on Sundays.
According to the proclamation on November 9, 1798, “By the Right Honourable the Governor-General in Council”, “…several places in the vicinity of Kolkata, and elsewhere within these provinces, are become the ordinary resort of disorderly persons from the foreign settlements on the sabbath-day; and that at such places of public resort, horse-races are frequented, and the pernicious practice of gaming prevails, to the scandal of the British government, and to the prejudice of those who are entitled to its protection; and whereas the profanation of the day set apart for the solemn observance of public worship, is a practice destructive of the good order and morals of society and contrary to the duties and ordinances of the protestant religion; his lordship in council hereby orders and directs all magistrates, and officers commanding at all military stations, to prohibit horse-races, and all other meetings for the purpose of gaming on sabbath-day…”
If any person is found guilty of such behaviour, his name shall be reported directly to the Governor-General by the officials and such a person shall beliable to “forfeit the protection of the honourable the East India Company, and to be sent to Europe.”
