More about Kolkata-3-Shahid Minnar (Monument)

Monument- Kolkata- With Large Ground

Recently the Chief Minister of West Bengal one of the provinces of India has declared that Sahid Minar (Monument) will be decorated by digital light. This is grate! On coming December of this year this lighting work will be completed. But due to insufficient source of energy supply, this lighting show will be conducted on special days like India’s Independent day, Republican day, etc.

The height of the Kolkata- Monument is about 157 ft.  In the year 1828, this beautiful memento was constructed.  It was made and dedicated in the name of Sir David Octerlani who was the Major General of British India Company. Major General Sir David Octerlani won a tough fight against Maratha in the year 1804 and also he won the fight against the Anglo Nepalis.

Mr. J.P.Parker was designed such a wonderful thing Monument. It is situated at the center of the city Kolkata.  The structural style of plinth of this Monument was like Egoists architectural. The pillar or column of this Monument was made by following the Syrian architectural style. The top of this Monument was made by following Turkey architectural style. To reach at the top of this Monument there are 223 stair-steps.

But this is very unfortunate that the total cost of construction of this Monument was nearly fifty lakhs of Indian money and that was forcibly collected from common people by the British Rules of India.

There is a large open ground surrounding of this Monument. There were held various meeting, gathering in earlier days and still the same have been going on. In the year 1931, the famous Bengali Poet Rabindra Nath Tagore had also arranged one meeting and had given his valuable speech addressing to that meeting and had protested strongly against the Hijli Massacre by the British Ruler of India.

Earlier this Monument was open for all and was no need of permission and the view of the entire city are just beautiful and so attracting; but in 1997, one person were jumped from the top of the Monument and died, thereafter, the entry was restricted by the State Government of Bengal. Now only those can enter inside of the Monument with the written permission. 

 In the year 1969, the last left Government was renamed of this historical Monument as “Shahd Minnar” and was dedicated to the freedom fighters of India who were died for the freedom of India.

Visible Places of Kolkata-Part-III

View of Maidan

In my last three blogs , I am writing in brief about the visible places of Kolkata . Actually , there are so many place to visit in Kolkata .

Maidan: Maidan is actually the property of the Indian Army as well as of the Fort William . Nearly , 5 square kilometers of land was developed by the earlier British ruler . It was mainly developed for parade of their soldiers . Thus it is also known as Brigade Parade Ground . At the centre of this ground have a monument . This monument was founded in 1828 . It was dedicated to the name Sir David Ochterlony , the Major-general of British East India Company on his success against Marathas fight of Delhi and conquest over Gurkhas and Anglo- Nepalese's wars . This monument was designed by J P Parker and the cost of the construction paid from public funds . After independence , in 1969 , August , this monument renamed as Sahid Minar as dedicated in the name of those persons who were sacrificed their life towards the Indian freedom movement . The view of entire Kolkata from the top of this monument is very magnificent .

Eden Gardens Stadium: Eden Gardens is the famous cricket stadium in the world . It is the dream of every cricketer of the world to get chance to play cricket throughout his entire cricket life . Cricket playing was started in the year 1864 . Nearly 85 to 90 thousand spectators can sit here at a time . The glorious history of this cricket stadium is very attractive . Most of the famous cricketers of every national team of the world have played here . Beside of this stadium , the biggest Netaji indoor stadium is also situated . The siting capacity of this stadium is also huge . Both the stadiums are situated near Maidan . Opposite to the cricket stadium are having various tents of different football clubs . Near this cricket stadium are also having national radio station called Akash Bani . It was also founded at the time of British period . Opposite to radio stations are having Governor House , called Rajvavan .

Alipore Zoo , Alipore Zoo was opened for public in the year 1876 . This is oldest zoo of India . It was the creation of Sir Richard Camac Temple that was the Governor of Bengal during the time 1874 to 1877 of the British Period . There are rare collections of different animals in Alipore zoo . In front of the zoo are also having one aquarium which contains sea-fishes with exclusive verities .

Kolkata is situated on the bank of the river Ganges . So that , Ganges beauty is also the attraction of the tourists . Here is Millennium Park , from where the beauty of the Ganges is magnificent . Boats , Steamers are coming and going , crossing the Ganges , dropping passengers . There is circular Railway service near the bank of the Ganges of Kolkata side . This service is available between Majherhat to various places through Seladaha station .

The second Hooghly Bridge called Vidyasagar Setu is new addition which connects quickly Kolkata- Howrah and surroundings . It was constructed with latest technology , cable attachment which holds both sides of the bridge . Before this  bridged , there were two options to connect with Kolkata- Howrah , one Steamer- service and second one is Howrah Bridge which was constructed at the time of British period . Then to reach  longed distance between the Howrah and adjacent areas was very time taking matter . This new bridge has solved  the problem , now to reach various districts and adjacent provinces are possible within very short time due to this new bridge .

View of Monument