St Paul's Cathedral - Calcutta (Kolkata) 1865

This photograph of St Paul's Cathedral in Calcutta was taken by Oscar Mallitte in 1865 to form part of an album entitled 'Photographs of India and Overland Route'. It shows a view of the cathedral looking across the Birjee Tank (water supply) on the south-east corner of the Maidan. The cathedral was designed in the Indo-Gothic style by William F Forbes. Forbes, a military engineer who was later promoted to Major General, was also responsible for the design of the old Calcutta Mint where he held the post of Mint Master for a time. Construction of the cathedral began in 1839, when the foundation stone was laid by Daniel Wilson, Bishop of Calcutta, and completed in 1847. The tall central spire and square tower beneath were inspired by a similar feature at the twelfth century cathedral in Canterbury, England. The upper portion of the tower, which originally reached a height of sixty-one metres, was destroyed in an earthquake in 1934.

From: British Library

St James's Church - Delhi c1860's

Photographer: Samuel Bourne
Know more in Wikipedia
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

St. James's Church - Delhi 1860

Source: British Library
Photographer: Eugene Clutterbuck Impey
Know more in Wikipedia

Colonel James Skinner raised the famous cavalry corps in India known as Skinner's Horse. Skinner (1778-1842) was of mixed parentage, born of a Scottish father and Rajput mother. At the age of 16 he was taken under the wing of the French commander of Maharaja Scindia's forces. He went on to acquit himself well in many battles and become one of India's leading mercenaries. St. James's Church in Delhi was founded by Skinner who while lying wounded on the battle field vowed that if he survived he would build a church in thanksgiving. It is the oldest church in Delhi and is built in the shape of a Greek cross, with a dome reminiscent of the Renaissance style. It was designed by Major Robert Smith; building commenced in 1826 and finished ten years later. Skinner himself is buried within the church.

St. James's Church - Delhi 1858

Photographer: Robert and Harriet Tytler
Source: British Library
Know more in Wikipedia

St.James's Church in Delhi showing damage caused by the Mutiny fighting

Photograph of St. James's Church in Delhi from 'Murray Collection: Views in Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad and Benares' taken by Dr. John Murray in 1858 after the Uprising of 1857. St James Church was commissioned by Colonel Skinner (1778-1841), a distinguished military officer, famous for the cavalry regiment Skinner’s Horse, known as the Yellow Boys because of the colour of their uniform. While lying wounded on the field of battle he made a vow that if he survived he would build a church in thanks for his life being saved. The church was started in 1826 and completed ten years later. During the Uprising of 1857 the Chruch was damaged by shellfire. The dome of the chruch is topped by a copper ball and cross, which was used by sepoys in 1857 for target practice.

Source: British Library