That which flourished years ago is on a verge of disappearing from the hearts of men and that which flourishes now would soon overshadow the remnants of a glorious past. This post refers to a very special place which is hardly remembered by many but was a flourishing Anglo-Indian hub years ago – McCluskiegunj. This settlement lies 40 miles northwest of the capital of Jharkhand. This settlement was founded and established by the Colonization Society of 1933- especially by Earnest Timothy McCluskie. It was home to more than 400 Anglo-Indian families, though now only a handful remain in this settlement.
What is unique about this place is that no matter what happens in the world, McCluskiegunj has never succumbed to its modernity. Even though it is less inhabited now, it still remains full of greenery and one breathes fresh air on entering this place. For many, it goes unnoticed but a handful of them still continue to make it their favorite weekend getaway .
There are hardly any modern hotels in the area. Thus tourists mostly spend their time in lodges and guest houses run by the families living here. As the buildings used for accommodation facilities are old and antique, one could feel being transported back to the heydays of McCluskiegunj.
One very peculiar feature of this area is the projection of its secular culture with the presence of a Mosque and a Temple in the same complex. The chance to experiment two different religions within the boundary of a single complex often becomes a reason to draw tourists from all over the world. However, one should note that Churches are also present in this settlement. The St. Johns church is very famous in these parts and often sees the descendants of the old families coming in for a mass or a prayer. The presence of so many different religious structures makes us wonder sometimes about the people who originally resided here. Were there more communities other than the dominant Anglo-Indian Community? Were the Mosque and the Temple built before the Anglo-Indians came and settled here? The origins of these structures are still being traced though no particular date has been zeroed on till date.
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The plaque and the fountain head which are now being protected and preserved in memory of the commemoration of this place in 1934 by Earnest Timothy McCluskie is a sight which one should not miss in these parts. Another interesting feature of the area is that the nearby forests used to act as hunting grounds long ago. Thus, hutments which are now nearly in shackles can still be seen.
It is interesting to note that the Don Bosco Academy opened a residential school in McCluskiegunj. This has given employment to the few Anglo-Indian families that are left in these parts. Moreover the old bungalows and houses which were deserted are being used as hostels and residential campuses for the students, teachers and staff of this school. This has boosted economy and employment opportunities in these parts after a long time.
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However, not all bungalows are being used for either guest houses or school purposes. Many lie still in brambles and shackles with stories of their own to tell. Many are just properties in which foreigners and other Nationals have invested but are never used for staying purposes. Few had been captured by the Adivasis and when the descendants of the original owners came to claim it, they were driven out from the land. Some more have stories of apparitions and ghosts being attached to them due to an infamous suicide or a murder. But alas, one would never really come to know about all these stories as they have been lost in the sands of time or buried under the walls of the deserted bungalows. Many other stories must have just come to an end with the death of their owners.But the fact that this long gone community is trying its best to be recognized and draw in more people just to let them know about its presence is commendable in itself.
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With this I hope I have been able to provide you with some of the reasons why this place is a must visit and tops my personal list of places to see before I die.
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by Subhadrika Sen 
That looks like an amzing experience, I’d love to go there myself, but thanks to your pictures i get a little of the experience before that ever happens!
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Thanks. 🙂
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I have never heard of this place before. But I love to know a little bit about the place I am visiting and its history before I go there. It sounds so interesting!
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I have never heard of this place before but it sounds really interesting. I love knowing the history of a place and being able to understand what went on there before visiting.
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I have never heard of this place before but I think it would be interesting to visit. I love hearing the history behind it and what makes it unique.
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Yes, it is an amazing place. You should make a trip.
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This sounds like an amazing and powerful place to be 🙂 Thank you for writing about such a place I would have never heard about it
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There are so many hidden gems in this world. Its great discussing about them and sharing them with like-minded people through blogs.
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Really interesting to know more about the place. It’s nice when places aren’t too modern with loads of buildings and hotels about x
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I had never heard of this place! Glad it’s becoming more of a hotspot for tourists now, the best places are always the ones that not many people know about or have seen!
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I so agree with you. 🙂
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This place looks unique, and made me really curious to visit as well. It’s amazing how it’s untouched by the ‘hands’ of modernity. Thanks for sharing!
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Great to know that you liked it. 🙂
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This place sounds amazing! I would love to visit someday 🙂
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Sure! You should. Its great.
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Sometimes it is good to return to places that still reflect a simpler, less hectic time of life. It helps to teach us where our historical roots come from, as well as serves to recharge the mind and soul!
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Could’nt have put it better myself 🙂
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It certainly does sound like a wonderful place! There is very little of the past left in this age. I’m glad places like these have survived the corruption of modernity.
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Yes, as of know. And i hope it continues to be so in the future as well. 🙂
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Great insight! This is why we do what we do, isn’t it? For that unique perspective. Own it. I’ve just followed your blog, looking forward to coming with you on your adventures.
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Thanks . Yes i agree with you. this is exactly why we do what we do .:)
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This place is like paradise! I wish I could visit it! No money at the moment so will see!
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Some day i’m sure your adventures will lead you here. 🙂
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As a westerner, I would have probably never heard about this place. It looks so cool I want to go now 🙂
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Really interesting. I’m glad the town is having a bit of a resurgence.
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Yes, it has become a hotspot for tourist activities now, though not many people know about it / go there/ have it as a priority in their travel list. but its worth a visit. 🙂
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