Introduction
The English cemetery which is situated outside the city-wall (which was known as 'Alampanah') near the Katargam Gate reminds the visitor eloquently of many a famous names in the historical narratives of the English factory at Surat who were the significant persons in the political history of the city. As per the "Revised List of Tombs and Monuments of Historical or Archaeological Interest in Bombay and other Parts of the Presidency" published in 1912 there were about 19 tombs in the English cemetery during that time, many of which are still existing. In addition to these, there is a large number of simpler structures, and inscription slabs-over the graves of less important persons. Few of the imposing monuments of this cemetery are described here.
Mausoleum of Oxenden Brothers
The most imposing mausoleum in the English cemetery is that erected over the graves of those 'most brotherly of brothers' Christopher Oxenden and Sir George Oxenden. It is made of two cupolas, one of which being superimposed on the other. Christopher died in 1659, and a domed structure with four pinnacles at the comers, was erected over his grave. The English rendering of an epitaph in Latin, written by his brother and placed within it on a small slab is as follows:
Here lies buried Christopher Oxenden, by his life an example of probity, by his death of the perishable nature of life. He made his entrance and his exit. Here he brought to a termination both his undertakings and his life. He was able to enter into his accounts only by days not years, for death suddenly called him to a reckoning. Do you ask, 0 my masters, what profit you have gained, or what loss you have suffered ? You have lost a servant, we a companion, he his life; but on the other side of the page (per contra) he may write 'death to me is gain'. He departed this life on April 18. 1659.
Christopher's more famous brother, Sir George Oxenden, the President of the English factory, also died at Surat in 1669, being the victim of an epidemic that ravaged the town. He was deservedly popular among all classes of people by his very high character. As head of the factory and the more distinguished brother, a loftier and more expensive cupola was raised in his honor above the tomb in which his and Christopher's bones were laid.
Distinct Features
This Oxenden monument is remarkable for the peculiarity of its upper dome, which represents an open cross. Its height and diameter are 40' (12.2m) and 25' (7.62 m ) respectively. The cupolas are supported by massive pillars and round their interiors are galleries ' reached by a flight of many steps. The translation of the inscription in Latin on a large marble slab inserted in the upper compartment of this mausoleum is as follows:
Dost thou ask, friendly reader, what this lofty structure implies ? Have then thy answer. It glories in the fact that it encloses other noble pile also. It is proud besides that, along with that, it covers the remains of two high-born and most brotherly of brothers, who, both in life as also in death, were most closely bound together. If you wants to know about one of them, read in the other place, if, about the other, read on here.
Sir George Oxenden of Kent, the third son of James Oxenden, Knight, and himself honored with the rank of knighthood. He was President of the English in India, Persia, and Arabia, and Governor of the Island of Bombay, for the Honorable company under which he was both President and Governor. He was honored for. his oft-repeated services to the Company, with special marks of favor and gratitude. A man most eminent for his noble blood, experience of affairs, fortitude, prudence and probity, he died on the 14th of July amidst the tears of many, and was buried on the 15th July attended by a large number of persons, in the year of our Lord 1669, in the 50th year of his age. Alas, reader, do then profit a little from this great man, even though he is dead.
It has been reported that, his funeral was a great affair in Surat, and as the cortege passed by, the streets, balconies, and tops of the houses were so full as they could stand one by another. The Rev. Philp Anderson, in his book The English in Western India' says that 'the body of an Indian Viceroy might have found here a worthy resting place ; it is far too superb for the Chief of a Factory, and his brother who was only a subordinate.
The Tomb of Gerald Aungier
A grand structure, in close proximity to the mausoleum of the Oxendens, which strangely enough, has no original inscription in it, is generally supposed to be that of Gerald Aungier, President of the English factory at Surat. He was also Governor of Bombay.
An inscription to the effect that the mausoleum contains the remains of Gerald Aungier was placed in the tomb as late as 1916 at the suggestion of Lord Curzon, who visited Surat for more than once during his viceroyalty and was a keen student of the early history of the English factory in Surat as the cradle of the British power in India.
Other Tombs
In addition to the tombs described above, there are other less historical tombs in this cemetery, some of which display the armorial bearings of the families to which the deceased persons belonged. Among the less important tombs are those of Henry Gary ( 1658); Bartholomew Harris, President (1694); James Hope, 'Chief for the William Andrew Price, Chief for the affairs of the British Nation and Governor of the Moghul Castle and Fleet of Suraf (1774). The English rendering of the Latin epitaph on the Tomb of President Harris and his wife Arabella is as follows :
Here lie Bartholomew Harris, Esquire, lately Commander and Deputy Governor of the Fort and Island of Bombay and President at Surat for the company of British merchants trading with the East Indies, and his wife Arabella. He died on the 10th of May in the year of the Lord 1694at the age of forty-five, and she on the22nd of March in the year 1686 at the age of eighteen.