Popular myth surrounds this oldest graveyard

Located on Lothian Road near Kashmeri Gate on the northeast side of the railway bridge, Lothian cemetery is the first British cemetery of Delhi.

The cemetery is home to many graves, including the members of the Christian community of Delhi who were buried here between 1808 and 1867. 

Many of those who were killed in 1857 are buried here. With tombs all around and shrubs and grass growing wild, the funereal atmosphere at the cemetery gives one the creeps even during the day. Popular myth surrounding this final resting place of many an East India Company soldier is that the place is haunted. And that the traumatised spirit of a headless warrior haunts the premises. The ghost without a head is said to be the spirit of a British soldier who shot himself in the head after the woman he loved got married. Numerous times, people have reported seeing him walk with his head held in his hands on moonless nights.

But enter the cemetery on a quiet day and one is transported to an ancient moment in time when India was once thronged by Britishers whose grave lie on this very ground. The chill to the spine is very real! Visitors are welcomed with a huge and ancient cross which forms one of the distinguished features of this cemetery. This cross was constructed to mark the place as a memorial ground of numerous soldiers who were killed during the first battle of Independence of India in 1857 also popularly known as the Sepoy Mutiny. Today, the Lothian Cemetery is unfortunately in a dilapidated state and needs to be secured and recognised as a tourist site because of its historical significance.

 Encroachment has become a common feature in Delhi and it is alarming to see that even on a burial grounds like this one, numerous families are seen residing within the grounds of this ancient cemetery. The Britishers also constructed a railway track around this area which was once a very serene place, surrounded by thick dense trees and a carpet of greenery.

The historical Lothian Cemetery is open to the intrepid, tourists and visitors between 10 am to 5 pm and entry is free.