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The Black Pagoda, an iconic architectural marvel of early colonial Calcutta, was once said to be taller than the Ochterlony Monument (now known as Shaheed Minar). It commanded the city’s skyline from 1730 through the early nineteenth century; its imposing presence captivating many visiting European artists who couldn’t resist capturing it in their works.

This lecture will explore the unique architectural features of the Black Pagoda, its depiction by different artists and the ways in which its decline has been captured in visual arts over more than a century.