The Shaheed Minar is the landmark of Kolkata. This is popularly known as the Monument. The same was established in the year 1848. It received the name of Ochterlony Monument as an honour. However, it received the name of Shaheed Minar as a tribute to the contribution of the Indian freedom fighters. To reach to the top of the minar you have to climb 218 steps and from the top you can have a detailed view of the City of Kolkata. Once you look at the architecture you can feel the essence of a serious blend of Syrian, Egyptian and Turkish style. The designing of the Minar is great with all the intricate detailing.
The Location in Exact
The Shaheed Minar stands in the Esplanade Area of Kolkata and it faces the north east direction of Maidan.
The Shaheed Minar was founded in the year 1848 and it is known as the Ochterlony Monument. The same was built to honour the win of Major General Sir David Ochterlony against the Gurkhas and this happened in the Anglo Nepalese war of 1825. The architect of the Minar was J. P. Parker and he conceived the structure of the 48 meter tall monument and it is based on the blend of the Egyptian and the Syrian style and it has the dome which strikingly resembles the superior Turkish design. In the year 1969, the monument was rededicated to the sacrifice of the Indian freedom fighters and these are people who sacrificed their lives in the freedom movement of real worth.
For the Bengali’s this is the Martyr’s Tower and the place holds much importance for the tourists and visitors alike. At the Monument there is the winding like staircase of 218 steps and once you reach to the top you are sure to have the best view of the city. In the year 1997 there was a mishap when a tourist while visiting the tower jumped from the Monument and committed suicide. From the time a rule was made that if you want to climb the stairs of the monument then it is necessary that you take the permission of the police. The last person who went up the monument was the Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi and his entire family.
In the recent past the West Bengal Government has taken the decision to open the museum for both the local publics and the tourists alike. The refurbishment process started in the year 2011 and the work would take place in two phases. After the work is finished all tourists would be allowed to walk up the stairs of the monument. Plans are made to establish stalls before the monument. The pathways would be well cleaned and decorated with flower plants. There is the vast field on the southern part of Shaheed Minar. This is known as the Shaheed Minar Maidan or the brigade Ground.
This is the place where political rallies are made to happen and the first political meeting at the place was supervised by Rabindra Nath Tagore. At the place he condemned the assassination of the young man in Hilji with the attempt of the British in the year 1931. From the time one cannot deny the superior history and details of the glorious destination.