Shaheed Smarak to commemorate unsung heroes, tell untold stories

The Shaheed Smarak -- being built in Ambala Cantonment to commemorate the sacrifice of the heroes of 1857 Revolt, narrate the untold stories and pay tributes to the unsung heroes -- is taking final shape.

While over 90 per cent of the civil work has been completed, over 60 per cent artwork of the memorial has been finished.

The memorial will showcase the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, its circumstances and events that happened in three parts including the role and events at Ambala, followed by the role and outbreak at Haryana and the events and martyrs across the country.

Historians believe that before the outbreak of the mutiny at Meerut on May 10, the 60th and 5th regiments openly revolted at Ambala. But unfortunately, their planning didn’t succeed.

In support of their claim, a telegram sent by the Ambala Deputy Commissioner to Sir John Lawrence, Chief Commissioner Punjab, at Rawalpindi on May 10, 1857 reads: “This morning, the 60th and 5th regiments were in an excited state and under arms on their parade ground. Cavalry and artillery ordered out, but no actual row. The guard over one treasury turned out under arms and were in an excited state. I ordered the police corps to be in readiness and in their own lines. I have consulted with the General, who has sent an officer of the 5th to the treasury guard to dismiss the men to their lines, if necessary. The General will not give any orders without your sanction. This step will not, I think, be necessary unless some further disturbance takes place.”

Dr Udey Vir, retired head of the department of history at SD College Ambala, who had done research on the revolt, said, “About nine hours before the outbreak of mutiny at Meerut, the 60th and 5th regiments openly revolted at Ambala. Haryana was also punished for its revolt and hundreds of people were killed. About 26 people related to the revolt, whose names are mentioned in the records, were hanged on trees. However, the actual numbers were much higher. Sardar Mohar Singh, Kahan Singh and Ramprasad Bairagi were among those who sacrificed their lives. They were among those who instigated the regiments to revolt.”

“Research is a never-ending process and new facts will continue to come to light even in the coming years. The Shaheed Smarak is an attempt to present the real picture of the first revolt. Various areas of Haryana including Ambala, Kaithal, Karnal, Gulha Cheeka, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Palwal, Sohna, Rewari and other parts were majorly affected. Those who helped the revolutionaries were punished,” said Dr Singh, who is a student of Dr KC Yadav, who brought out the facts of Revolt of 1857.

Prof Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairman, Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, said, “The 1857 Revolt is a climax of anti-British sentiments. 50 to 60 major movements in the country were registered before this period in various parts of the country. Before Meerut, there were incidents in Ambala. During 1960s, a telegram came to light in which a reference regarding the mutiny in Ambala was shared.

“More than the date and timing of the revolt, the construction of the Shaheed Smarak is important because people should know about the opposition the British faced from the people of these parts (now parts of Haryana). There were battles in Kharkhoda, Rohtak, Hisar and Narnaul. The level of resistance the Britishers faced from the people of Haryana was unprecedented. The killing of a British officer was a big issue. Haryana paid the price for its rebellious nature and this region paid the price as it remained neglected in terms of development,” he added.

Meanwhile, Director of the smarak, Dr Kuldeep Saini, said, “Construction work of the Shaheed Smarak is in its final phase and a deadline of August-end has been fixed to finish the work in all aspects. The smarak will tell the real history of the first revolt and bust several myths as well. As many as 22 galleries are being developed. A 63m-tall memorial tower will be the centre of attraction and different advanced technologies will be used to give a real-time experience to the visitors.

“Short films and light-and-sound shows have been prepared to narrate the stories of the martyrs and the circumstances of the first revolt. Rough cuts of all the shows are ready and the historical facts will be checked by historians. The tower will be among the five screens to be used to show the light-and-sound show,” he added.

Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij, who has taken a keen interest in the project, said: “The Shaheed Smarak is an attempt to tell the real history of the first revolt and is a tribute to its heroes. People sacrificed their lives, faced brutality but the unsung heroes never got due recognition. The visitors who will come here will get to know about the hidden stories and they will be able to pay their tributes to the martyrs.”

The project has remained caught in red tape for years. It was first conceived by the then Bhupinder Singh Hooda government and the government acquired 22 acres near the local IOCL depot. However, due to political wrangling, the foundation stone-laying had to be called off thrice in 2010-14. The foundation stone of the project was laid by former CM Manohar Lal Khattar in May 2015.