1857 War Memorial Nears Completion in Ambala

A first of its kind grand memorial, "Azadi Ki Pehli Ladai Ka Shaheedi Samark" dedicated to the heroes of the First War of Independence (1857) is nearing completion near Ambala Cantonment of Haryana, to showcase the story of India's freedom struggle to the future generations.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

Spread over 22 acres, this Rs 500-crore project will showcase the bravery of the freedom fighters who had fought against British rule, taking the visitors 168 years back, providing them with a glimpse of India's history.

Officials have kept 10 May as the deadline to complete this project, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the memorial on Independence Day.

Set up along the Delhi-Chandigarh NH44—60 km from Chandigarh—this memorial will feature a 150-foot-high tower, a museum, a library, an audio-visual gallery, an open-air theatre with a seating capacity of 3,000 people. Besides, it will also have an exhibition hall, a children's park, a cafeteria, a food court and a parking facility for 400 vehicles. The war memorial will showcase the events of the 1857 war through short films, paintings, historical artifacts, and statues of freedom fighters.