Located in front of old telegraph building, mutiny memorial is located in front of the Kashmiri gate, New Delhi. Mutiny memorial is also known as Aligarh and it was built in memory of those who had fought in the Delhi field force, during the 1857 rebellion.
Erected by public works department in 1863, the meorial was built in haste and was criticized by the public when completed. On the 25th years of independence the Mutiny memorial was renamed as Ajitgarh- “the place of the unvanquished”. The memorial comprises of a plaque erected on the monument which reads that the“enemy” mentioned on the memorials were immortal martyrs for Indian freedom”.
Mutiny memorial Architecture
The Mutiny memorial has a gothic style in red stone. It comprises of an octagonal base and there are four tiers rising from there. The memorial is located on Rani Jhansi road, 500 meter south of HinduRao hospital and stands at a distance of 200 meters away from Ashok pillar. It was built to be slightly taller than. The 1857 rebellion brings backmemories of a ghastly past India witnessed. The 1857 mutiny was regarded as the first war of independence between Indians and British. Delhi was a prime center during the 1857 mutiny.
Presently heritage walks are conducted in the Northern ridge where some ofthe sites are explored and the spots where the mutiny unfolded are showcased. The mutiny cost the lives of not just soldiers but several locals who came from different walks of life. The names of several fighters and martyrs have been etched on the memorial. The memorial is a tribute and symbol of the brave hearts who laid their lives for the nations and self-freedom.
Kamala Nehru Ridge forest
The Mutiny memorial; was initially built on marsh lands in the Northern ridge. Today heritage walks are conducted on the North ridge area showcasing the spots that was a pivotal area during the British rule. Today the Northern ridge is surrounded by the lush trees and beautiful natural scenery. Today the ghastly past of the Ridge appears calm and beautiful and is known as the Kamala Nehru Ridge forest.
The use of the Victorian gothic style structure with a crucifix on top, with a brick spire the tower is uniquely shaped and stands as a monument that brings back memories of an important piece of history. Tourists and visitors can reach the memorial by auto or bus. Tour operators can arrange for cab rides to the memorial and the memorial is also conveniently reachable by the metro.
Delhi is lined with monuments and structures that narrate the history of India’s past and how each of these monuments and striking structures came into existence. The mutiny memorial with its spiraling steps as interiors, octagonal base on the outside and circular from inside is a heritage monument that should be visited in Delhi tour package.
