Shaheed Minar

Shaheed Minar was built in 1828 to commemorate the victory of Major-general Sir David Ochterlony, the commander of the East India Company who led the armed forces to victory against the Marathas in 1804 and the Gurkhas in the Anglo-Nepalese War.

It is also dedicated to all the people who laid down their lives during the Indian freedom movement. One of the most inspiring historical places in Kolkata, the base of the monument was built in the Egyptian architectural style and the column is purely based on Syrian architecture while the dome resembles Turkish structural design.

History of Shaheed Minar

Shaheed Minar was erected in 1828 by the East India Company in memory of Major-general Sir David Ochterlony who was the commander of the British East India Company. The monument was made to commemorate and celebrate the victory of the East India Company against the Marathas in Delhi in 1804 and the win against the Gurkhas in the Anglo-Nepalese War.

The monument was constructed in memory of Sir David Ochterlony as he was the commander during these wars. He was born on 12th February 1758 and died on 15th July 1825 at the age of 67. He was a Major-general of the Bengal Artillery and was awarded the GCB or Dames Grand Cross award. The monument was designed by J. P. Parker and was funded by public funds.

It was rededicated to the memory of the martyrs of the Indian freedom struggle on 9th August 1969 and renamed the “Saheed Minar '' which translates to ‘martyrs’ monument’ in both Bengali and Hindi, an apt name for this honorary piece of architecture. The last few visitors at this Memoriam are Gopal Krishna Gandhi with his family. After all these years, the government of West Bengal has decided to reopen this venue for the public to visit, decorating it with sparkling illuminations.

Architecture of Shaheed Minar

Standing at a height of 48 meters (157 ft), Shaheed Minar was famously called the “Cloud kissing monument” by Mark Twain. It has a foundation that is based on Egyptian styles of architecture, while the fixed column has a Syrian upper portion and a Turkish dome.

The design has a classical fluted column with two balconies on the top. The top floor is accessible by a staircase with a total of 223 steps to the top. The monument was made by Burn & Company. Most people who visit Shaheed Minar do so because of the historical significance of the place and also to look at the mixed architectural styles of Egyptian, Syrian, and Turkish.