The British era cemetery in Balasore, dating back to the 18th century colonial rule, has around 33 gravestones including spires and tombs. Telegraph pictures.

Balasore, Aug. 23: The dilapidated condition of a British era cemetery in Balasore reflects the administrative insensitivity towards the ageless heritage site. Around 33 gravestones including spires and tombs dating back to the 18th century colonial rule lie forgotten at the cemetery.

For the British, Balasore was a favoured maritime centre. The strategic location of the place bordering the Bengal province had also drawn the Dutch, French and Portuguese maritime traders to this coastal pocket.

“The place, despite its rich historical background, is largely going unnoticed today. Nothing has been done to maintain the sanctity and holiness of tombstones. The place has immense potential to woo European tourists,” said Ashok Nandi, a local resident.

Authorities, however, have shown a careless attitude towards this age-old cemetery. The spot carrying the symbol of British legacy is located in Damodarpur locality in the township and is spread across nearly 70 decimal patch of land.

Attempts to restore the site had been made about a decade ago. Famous historian and member of Parliament, late Manmath Nath Das had sanctioned funds from Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MP LAD) funds. But no restoration work was carried out. Rather, wild herbs and shrubs adorn the place today.

“A boundary wall was erected around the site with a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh out of MP Das’s fund. Further the cemetery was refurbished after the visit of a team from Archaeological Survey of India. That was more than a decade ago. But the cycle of renovation has come to a grinding halt. The urban local body has done practically nothing to restore its glorious past,” said Haren Chandra Rana, former councillor of Balasore Municipality.

The graveyard contains the tombstones of Sir Henery Rickett, the first collector of Balasore (1827-36), his wife Lady Rickett (a doctor), captain Morganetc and captain Francis Walter, a hero of British Royal Navy who led several battles in Madras, Goa, Harispur, Pipili port and Balasore. It also houses tombstones of five clergies.

“Lady Rickett died in Balasore while Sir Henery Rickett died in England in 1886. But as per his last wish, his moral remains were ferried by sea to this place via Calcutta and his body was buried beside his wife’s. ‘Henry neither forgot Balasore nor Oriya’ is inscribed on the then British administrator’s tomb. Those inscriptions have corroded with the passage of time as the site is now in ruins,” said Biswanath Rana, a researcher on the history, culture and heritage of the district.

“This site was built between 1776 and 1881 and protected as per agreement between the then British government and Indian representatives on July 1, 1947, days before the dawn of the independence,” Rana said.

Lady Rickett served starving people with missionary zeal when the state was reeling under ‘Naanka Durvikha’, the worst ever famine that stalked the state in the late 60s with thousands perishing due to hunger and diseases.

The urban local body here, however, maintained that steps were being taken to preserve the spot.

“We are giving serious thoughts for its maintenance though we have paucity of funds, ” said Sudhansu Nayak, executive officer Balasore municipality. Additional district magistrate Sribatsa Jena said municipal officials have been directed to take up steps for restoration of cleanliness of the site.

“The cemetery is a heritage site for our district. It should be preserved,” said Santanu Pani, a teacher of history and principal at Remuna College.