Haryana to get memorial for 1857 War of Independence

Haryana will build a memorial to India's first War of Independence in 1857 to highlight the role of freedom fighters and particularly of the contribution of Ambala city in the country's freedom struggle, a minister said on Monday.

Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij said that all the formalities for the construction of the War Memorial at Ambala were being completed and it would be a true tribute to the freedom fighters.

"The First war of Independence of India in 1857 started from Ambala district. Its entire history would be projected with light and sound in the War Memorial," Vij said.

He said that the war memorial would display events of the freedom struggle, from Ambala to Rangoon, and information about all known and unknown freedom fighters of Haryana would also be included.

"As per an estimate, about 3,500 people lost their lives in the 1857 struggle, out of which about 1,100 have been identified. At that time, the British completely destroyed 115 villages," Vij said.

The minister said that the stellar role played by leaders of that time like Bahadurshah Jafar, Jhansi ki Rani Laxmibai, Tantya Tope, Mangal Pandey and other freedom fighters would be highlighted for present and future generations to understand the importance of that struggle.

"The war memorial would have facilities like auditorium, library, tower museum, food court, reception, covered parking and a helipad," Vij added.