Kolkata, Feb 27: In a city rooted deeply in Bengali culture, the name “Eden Gardens” often raises a simple question — how did one of India’s most famous cricket venues end up with such an English name?
The answer lies in colonial history.
The area that now houses Eden Gardens was originally a landscaped park developed in 1841 during the tenure of Lord Auckland, the then Governor-General of India. Initially known as “Auckland Circus Gardens,” the park was later renamed to honour his sisters, Emily Eden and Fanny Eden.
Historical records indicate that the Eden sisters played an active role in supervising and beautifying the garden area, which served as a recreational space for the British administration in Kolkata. In recognition of their involvement, the park was rechristened “Eden Gardens.”
In 1864, a cricket ground was established adjacent to the park. Over time, the venue adopted the same name. The ground gradually evolved into one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world, retaining the colonial-era title even after India’s Independence.
There is also an alternative local account suggesting that a Bengali landlord, Babu Rajchandra Das, renamed his garden “Mar Bagan” as Eden Gardens in gratitude towards Lord Auckland and his sisters. However, mainstream historical documentation largely credits the naming to the Eden sisters’ association with the park’s development.
Today, despite being located in the heart of a predominantly Bengali-speaking city, the stadium’s name stands as a reminder of Kolkata’s colonial past and its layered history. (Agencies)
