The Bengal Heritage Foundation together with the Friends of Kensal Green is commemorating the life of Prince Dwarkanath Tagore for the first time by inaugurating his bust on 11 August 2018, at Kensal Green cemetery, in north-west of London, where he was buried and which currently has his tomb. the event will be attended by MPs, Lords, local Councillors and other key dignitaries.
Dwarkanath Tagore (1794–1846), the grandfather of Poet Rabindranath Tagore, was one of the first Indian industrialists and entrepreneurs, and the founder of the Jorasanko branch of the Tagore family. He is notable for making substantial contributions to the Bengal Renaissance. In the 1820s, Dwarkanath Tagore became foremost among the so-called merchant princes investing in range of businesses from steam engines to banking to coal mines.
Dwarkanath died at the peak of his fortune on the evening of 1 August 1846 at the St. George's Hotel in London during a tremendous thunderstorm. He was buried at the Kensal Green Cemetery and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who had welcomed him to their court like ‘an old friend’ sent four carriages. It was a princely send off.
Dwarakanath was only 52 when he died in the company of just two members of his vast family, a son and a nephew. Four days later, they buried him and among the mourners were his youngest son Narendranath, nephew Nabin Chandra Mukherji, four medical students who had accompanied him on his trip to England and his former partners Major Henderson and William Prinsep.
The inaugural event this summer, will include wreath laying ceremony, welcome songs at the cemetery chapel, followed by a tour of some key tombs there.
Sourav Nyogi, President of The Bengal Heritage Foundation told Asian Voice, “Very few Indians are aware of Prince Dwarkanath Tagore’s tomb in London. The current tombstone has very limited information on Dwarkanath Tagore. Bengalis are known for many things but not necessarily entrepreneurship. However this is changing. Dwarkanath is an inspiration for this new generation Bengali entrepreneurs. From coal to banking to trading - he successfully set the foundation of an industrial Bengal and internationalisation of India. Our effort is a humble tribute to this great son of Bengal and keep his heritage alive for the future generations.”
Anirban Mukhopadhyay, President of London Sharad Utsav, supporting this initiative said, “We would like to invite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to be the Chief Guest at this bust inauguration, and we will soon be getting in touch with her office for the purpose. It will be a thrilling experience for us if she graces the occasion with her presence.”
