Haryana, Maharashtra join hands to build Shaurya Memorial at Panipat’s Kala Amb

Famous for three historical battles, Panipat will get a Shaurya Memorial near Ugrakheri village on the Panipat-Sanoli-Haridwar highway. A total of 20 acres have been purchased by the state government, adjoining the Kala Amb War Memorial, to build the new memorial. The memorial will be constructed by the Haryana and Maharashtra Governments.

The Panipat Museum, housed in the Irrigation Department’s Canal Rest House — a British-era building — on the banks of the Delhi-parallel canal near Binjhol village is likely to be shifted to the Shaurya Memorial.

The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas led by Sardar Sadashiv Bhau and Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Abdali on January 14, 1761. The battle lasted about five months.

The Kala Amb Memorial was constructed at the spot where Sadashiv Bhau was killed in action. It is said that so much blood was shed during the battle that a mango tree, irrigated by blood, turned black. The War Memorial is now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Battles of Panipat Memorial Society had established the Panipat Museum to highlight the major events that took place over 264 years and made Panipat a place of historical importance. The then Governor Babu Parmanand had inaugurated the memorial on November 10, 2000.

The museum has nine galleries displaying the significant developments in the three battles through paintings, sculptures and models. The cultural heritage of Haryana in form of dresses, ornaments, utensils, agricultural implements, household goods, etc, is an attraction in the museum.

It is being protected by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana government. Though a renovation was carried out by the Public Works Department four years ago, the work was not done so well. Basic amenities are not in a good condition.

Despite all historical monuments, miniatures and artefacts, the museum fails to attract a considerable number of visitors, because of its location. As per sources, 20-30 visitors reach the museum daily on an average. The museum is 6 km from the main bus stand as well as railway station.

Banani Bhattacharya, Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and Museum, Haryana, said the renovation work at the museum would be started soon. The work on pathways and basic amenities would be done under the renovation, she said.

The department would start rejuvenating the galleries once it gets the funds, the Deputy Director added.

On June 18, 2016, during the first term of the BJP-led government, the former Chief Minister at a function organised by the Yodha Smarak Samiti had announced to develop the Kala Amb War Memorial as a tourism hub and shift the Panipat Museum there. After the ASI refused to provide land to accommodate the museum, it was decided that the Shaurya Memorial would be developed on a site adjoining to the Kala Amb War Memorial. Rajesh Goyal, Member Secretary, Yodha Smarak Samiti, said on the 250th anniversary of the Third Battle of Panipat, the Samiti started making efforts to develop Shaurya Memorial.

The memorial would have an auditorium, light and sound show, historical sculptures, artefacts and statues of warriors and great men, besides other monuments, he said. Deputy Commissioner Virender Kumar Dahiya said a 20 acres had been purchased from three farmers through the e-Bhoomi portal for the construction of the memorial.

The Principal Secretary to the Maharashtra CM had also visited the site here, the DC said, adding that the Maharashtra Government is preparing the design of the memorial.

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