St. Paul’s Cathedral started in 604, but it did not become the cathedral as we know it until sometime between 1675 and 1711. Many people visit the cathedral daily to worship or as tourists. The building consists of three distinct sections: the dome, the cathedral floor, and the crypt. Down below in the crypt lies the object of today’s travel guide, a clue into Britain’s colonial past.
In the crypt, there are multiple salutes to the brave souls of the British army who traveled to foreign lands and brought back many riches for the motherland. They are hailed as heroes and intellectuals for their deeds, bright shining stars of Britain’s finest. How they rose to acclaim has a much darker story, however.
One of these individuals is named Robert Montgomery, an important member of the Bengal Civil Service. Montgomery has a plaque in his honor located in the crypt. The plaque says the following tribute: “Prompt & Fearless in the crisis of 1857. Restored peace in Oude after the taking of Lucknow. Governed the Punjab wisely for six years. For nearly twenty years member of the council of Parliament.”
His tribute congratulates his work in Bengal, leading the Indian people for six whole years. The British initially entered India as traders through the British East India Company in 1608. By the time Robert Montgomery was stationed in the subcontinent, Britain was just beginning its colonial rule of India. During this time, Britain took advantage of India using it for resources and labor while oppressing the people who actually lived there. Britain had white Europeans, like Montgomery running a nation of people they did not understand or see as equals.
British rule was responsible for an estimated 35 million deaths of Indian people. In addition to this, they also systematically robbed the Indian subcontinent through a taxation operation. The British took high taxes from the Indians, used that tax money to purchase Indian goods, and invested those profits into the British economy. Even after Britain left, India was never the same. The unregulated partition of India and sudden withdrawal of British troops led to widespread religion-based lynching that continues to be a problem to this day. The same Civil Service that Montgomery is touted for participating in helped facilitate all these human rights violations.
When we look back at British heroes like Robert Montgomery who are celebrated in our churches, it is important to remember they were villains to many. The scars they left on a beat6iful country should not be forgotten or celebrated. In fact, it is somewhat contradictory for a peaceful and sacred place like a church to be supporting these kinds of people.
If you visit St. Paul’s cathedral, know that Robert Montgomery is not the only person like this with a tribute in the church. Multiple British colonizers who oppressed India or Africa are celebrated on plaques or on statues both on the main floor and the crypt. Although it is also important to enjoy the beautiful art of the church, take time to remember the darker histories hidden within these walls.