States » NorthPosted at: Nov 6 2026 12:29AM


Ambala's Rs 800-crore memorial honours forgotten heroes of 1857 revolt; uprising began here before Meerut, says Anil Vij

Kamlesh Kali
Ambala, Nov 5 (UNI) Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said the newly inaugurated Rs 800-crore Martyrs' Memorial in Ambala Cantonment would give long-overdue recognition to the unsung heroes of the 1857 uprising, asserting that historical records showed Indian soldiers had revolted against British rule in Ambala nearly nine hours before the rebellion in Meerut.
Addressing a gathering after union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 22-acre "Azadi Ki Pehli Ladai Ka Shaheed Smarak", Vij said the memorial was the culmination of more than two decades of efforts to preserve a neglected chapter of India's freedom struggle.
He said research by historian K.C. Yadav, former head of the History Department at Kurukshetra University, indicated that soldiers of the 5th and 60th Native Infantry stationed in Ambala Cantonment had raised the banner of revolt against the British on May 10, 1857, before the uprising in Meerut. Vij said he had studied several historical documents, including British-era records, to establish Ambala's contribution to the rebellion. "The uprising was not confined to Ambala. It spread across the country," he said, referring to the scale of resistance against colonial rule.
The minister said British military records showed that 54 of 74 military companies had been disbanded and another 18 disarmed in the aftermath of the revolt.
He also referred to the disbandment of 10 Native Cavalry units.
Vij said documents obtained from the National Archives contained accounts of the killing of 135 Indian soldiers by British troops at Ambala's parade ground in September 1857.
According to the account cited by the minister, the soldiers were killed within minutes during a confrontation with British forces. He said these events demonstrated the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers and civilians whose contributions had not received adequate recognition in mainstream historical narratives.
Recalling his interest in history, Vij said he had questioned the accounts taught during his school and college years, which largely associated the freedom struggle with the Congress.
He pointed out that the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, nearly three decades after the 1857 uprising. The minister said the memorial was intended to ensure that the sacrifices of those who fought against British rule in 1857 were preserved for future generations.
Spread over approximately 22 acres along the Delhi-Chandigarh highway, the memorial has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore. It features galleries depicting major events of the uprising in Ambala, Meerut, Delhi, Jhansi and other parts of the country.
The complex incorporates digital presentations, historical recreations, audiovisual displays and interactive technology designed to provide visitors with an immersive account of the rebellion.
More than 700 freedom fighters associated with the 1857 uprising have been identified through historical research, and their names have been inscribed in golden letters at the memorial.
A prominent feature of the complex is a 63-metre-high lotus-shaped structure equipped with two lifts. Other facilities include a 300-seat auditorium, an open-air theatre and visitor amenities.
Vij said visitors would require approximately six hours to explore the memorial and understand the events presented in its galleries.
A dedicated tribute gallery has also been developed to honour lesser-known freedom fighters.
According to Vij, the facility includes a digital system through which visitors can pay homage to martyrs, with a symbolic flame illuminating in their memory.
Tracing the project's history, Vij said he had pursued the demand for a memorial for nearly 20 to 25 years and had repeatedly raised the issue before successive governments.
The project was initially proposed in 2010 during the tenure of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. However, the foundation stone was laid by then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on May 11, 2015, following a groundbreaking ceremony conducted by Vij a day earlier.
The minister credited Manohar Lal with taking the project forward after examining the historical material presented to him. Vij said the memorial would serve not only as a tribute to the martyrs but also as an educational institution where students, researchers and visitors could learn about the wider geographical spread of the 1857 uprising.
The Haryana government has also announced arrangements to facilitate visits by students from educational institutions across the state so that younger generations can learn about the sacrifices of freedom fighters.
The memorial is scheduled to open to the public on November 6.
union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, union Power Minister Manohar Lal and other senior leaders attended the inauguration.
Vij expressed confidence that the memorial would emerge as a major centre for historical education and heritage tourism, while ensuring that the contributions of lesser-known participants in the 1857 revolt remained part of the nation's collective memory.
UNI KK RN
Tags: #Ambala's Rs 800-crore memorial honours forgotten heroes of 1857 revolt; uprising began here before Meerut# says Anil Vij
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