HISTORY OF THE SHAHEED MINAR KOLKATA.
Located at the very heart of Kolkata, the 158-foot high,and 48 mtr.hight. pristine white Shaheed Minar has remained a landmark monument for over a century and a half. Its characteristic design and size has drawn the attention of many, including Mark Twain who dubbed it the ‘cloud kissing monument.’ However, the structure’s history remains just as interesting as its architecture.
Constructed in 1848 as a tribute to Major-General Sir David
Ochterlony, commander of the British East India Company, the tower was initially known as the Ochterlony Monument.
The structure sought to celebrate his defense of British occupied territory in the Indian subcontinent against the Marathas and other regional armies.
However, in 1969, decades after India gained
independence, the monument was rededicated to the memory of the martyrs of the Indian freedom movement.
It was then renamed the Shaheed Minar, which translates to ‘the Martyr’s Monument.’
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