Massacre Ghat is one of the most important ghat among many ghats in Kanpur. Massacre Ghat, is situated just hundred yards of my residence in the Cantonment Area. It is located on the right bank of the River Ganga. Scores of people visit and have many tales to tell. Here is my research I share with you all.
Massacre Ghat has become extremely significant in history since the Revolt of 1857, which is also popularly referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 or the first war of Indian Independence.
Said to trigger off the first war of Independence in India, on 27th June, 1857, Kanpur witnessed one of the darkest events of all times. As many as three hundred British men, women and children were butchered at the in Kanpur. Those who were able to escape such a brutal fate were later killed at what came to be known as the 'Bibighur Massacre'. The Ghat was renamed as Nana Rao Ghat as the rebellion was believed to have been led by Nana Sahib of Peshwa. This Sati Chaura Ghat later got recognized as Massacre Ghat.
Today the Massacre Ghat stands to tell the tragic story to those who visit it. A white temple stands at the site. Massacre Ghat in Kanpur, India would reveal to you, a darker and lesser known side of the history of Indian Independence.
Historical Massacre Ghat, that was a mute witness to one of the most gory massacre of the First War of Independence 1857, has fallen over bad days. It has even been discarded by Ganga. The river has changed its course and drifted about a kilometre from the ghat in Cantonment and towards Shuklaganj.
Today stray cattle loiter on the ghat littered with garbage and puja waste. Weeds have grown all over as district administration too has turned a blind eye towards its plight. The ghat has in fact gone dry as Ganga has drifted away. A few poodles of stagnant drainage water is what is left of once a swift flowing river. Devout, who turn up at the ghat for a dip, have to cover a long distance on river bed to reach the mainstream. Despite being a historical ghat it is lying neglected. Foot fall decreased drastically ever since the river drifted away. People turn up in the evening only during monsoon, when the river assumes gigantic proportion and even touches the ghat."
The ghat, gained notoriety as Massacre Ghat during the 1857 war of independence. Shedding light on it, local historian Manoj Kapoor said that on June 27, 1857, Kanpur (then known as Cawnpore) witnessed one of the grimmest incident during the struggle for independence. He said, "On June 26, 1857, head of British forces based in Cawnpore, Wheeler, surrendered before Nana Sahib after the latter promised to provide the Britishers with boats and safe passage to Allahabad through Ganga.
On June 27 morning, a large column of Britishers, including women and children, led by Wheeler emerged from the entrenchment. Nana Sahib had sent a number of carts, palkis and elephants to ferry women, children and the sick to Satti Chaura Ghat,. Company officers and armymen were allowed to carry arms and ammunition with them. At this ghat, Nana Sahib had arranged around 40 boats for their departure to Allahabad." Kapoor further said, "Wheeler and his party were the first to board a boat set it adrift. At the same moment somebody fired a shot possibly from high banks. In confusion, Indian boatmen jumped overboard knocking off a few cooking fire in the process. The fire soon engulfed a few boats."
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