Nicholson Cemetery
A few meters west from the Kashmiri Gate Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT), at the northeastern end of Boulevard Road, is one of the earliest British cemeteries in Delhi, the Nicholson Cemetery.
Named after the renowned British Brigadier General John Nicholson, the cemetery has a cross-shaped gateway with sloping roofs and is spread over a large area housing numerous gravestones and memorials. Although the cemetery is overgrown with vegetation, and in a state of serious neglect, there still are many memorials and tombstones, which are of high architectural value and worth a visit. The wooden gateway, as well as the enclosure wall of the cemetery, dates back to the time when the cemetery was constituted.
As one enters the cemetery, the grave of John Nicholson can be seen just near the entrance on the right. Said to be a man of high principles, he was among the leading officers who were responsible for the defeat of nationalist forces during the first War of Indian Independence in 1857. A great administrator, General Nicholson was buried in this cemetery when he died, just before the end of the War of 1857.
Besides Nicholson, there are many English soldiers, administrators and their wives who are buried here. The inscriptions on their gravestones record the difficult life that they lived in India. The numerous gravestones of children are particularly touching. Visitors need to be aware of the monkeys around. However they are not dangerous until they are teased.
