Who is the Old Commandant from the story, In the Penal Colony?

The old Commandant invented the execution machine as well as the organizational structure of the penal colony. During his time, he had many supporters and the colony seemed to thrive. The officer claims that the few remaining supporters of the old Commandant's ways are afraid to declare themselves, it is possible that the officer is the only one remaining. The old Commandant's gravestone lies under a table in a teahouse. The grave's unsigned inscription holds out the promise of his triumphant return. Critics who interpret the story as a religious allegory often surmise that the old Commandant represents orthodox religious tradition or the Old Testament.