Seth, thank you very much for this edifying essay on a magnificent edifice! If I might humbly offer a couple of corrections for the record though, The Travellers Club building designed by Charles Berry was not completed until 1832. Also, the article notes “The Bengal Military Club opened in Calcutta in 1845, only the second club set up by the British in India…”. Actually, the first club to be set up by the British in India was the Bengal Club, in 1827 (originally known as the Bengal United Services’ Club!). This was followed by the Calcutta Golf Club in 1829 and the Madras Club in 1831, all of which are still extant today.
True, Calcutta Cricket and Football Club claims a lineage dating back to 1792, though they morphed and amalgamated many times over the years and their present facility in Ballygunge is thoroughly modern. In any event, thanks Seth for your great work. I read all your posts with interest!
Thanks for the suggested tweaks, Zachary, I've duly amended the piece!
The evolution of the British clubs in India is indeed a bit of a minefield. (A couple of the sporting clubs in Calcutta date to the 18th century, but you're absolutely right that the Bengal Club that started in 1827 is generally considered the "first", certainly of the city clubs - ironicially, it was a history of this club which put me off the scent on where the Bengal Military Club fit into things!)
Corrections always gratefuly received, I do want the Clubland Substack to be an accurate resource.
Small nits, I know, but hopefully they contribute something to the conversation, and constitute only very marginal corrections of what is otherwise a superb article. Thank you so much, and please keep it coming!
Seth, thank you very much for this edifying essay on a magnificent edifice! If I might humbly offer a couple of corrections for the record though, The Travellers Club building designed by Charles Berry was not completed until 1832. Also, the article notes “The Bengal Military Club opened in Calcutta in 1845, only the second club set up by the British in India…”. Actually, the first club to be set up by the British in India was the Bengal Club, in 1827 (originally known as the Bengal United Services’ Club!). This was followed by the Calcutta Golf Club in 1829 and the Madras Club in 1831, all of which are still extant today.
True, Calcutta Cricket and Football Club claims a lineage dating back to 1792, though they morphed and amalgamated many times over the years and their present facility in Ballygunge is thoroughly modern. In any event, thanks Seth for your great work. I read all your posts with interest!
Thanks for the suggested tweaks, Zachary, I've duly amended the piece!
The evolution of the British clubs in India is indeed a bit of a minefield. (A couple of the sporting clubs in Calcutta date to the 18th century, but you're absolutely right that the Bengal Club that started in 1827 is generally considered the "first", certainly of the city clubs - ironicially, it was a history of this club which put me off the scent on where the Bengal Military Club fit into things!)
Corrections always gratefuly received, I do want the Clubland Substack to be an accurate resource.
Small nits, I know, but hopefully they contribute something to the conversation, and constitute only very marginal corrections of what is otherwise a superb article. Thank you so much, and please keep it coming!