Nicholson Cemetery

Nicholson Cemetery, also known as Lothian Cemetery, is a Christian burial ground near Kashmere Gate in Delhi. Established in 1857, it is described as the oldest Christian cemetery in Delhi NCR. Its graves include those of Brigadier General John Nicholson and other British soldiers connected to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Overgrown greenery gives the site a quiet, atmospheric feel, while the inscriptions and graves offer a close look at Delhi’s colonial-era history. It is best suited to visitors interested in historic cemeteries and the events of 1857.

A cemetery dating to 1857

Nicholson Cemetery is also called Lothian Cemetery. It was established in 1857 and is described as the oldest Christian cemetery in Delhi NCR. The site contains around 2,400 graves dating from that year onward.

Its name comes from Brigadier General John Nicholson, a British military officer who took part in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. His grave, along with those of other British soldiers connected to the conflict, gives the cemetery a direct link to that period in Delhi’s history.

Visiting the grounds

The cemetery is near Kashmere Gate, in the Civil Lines area. Wild plants have grown around the graves, so covered clothing can help protect you from mosquitoes. Access is not assured: ask the guard at gate 4 of Kashmere Gate metro station whether you can enter.

The grounds are maintained by a Christian or diocesan society. Visitors interested in the cemetery’s past can ask local people about its stories. A weekday visit is suggested for a quieter experience.