Chandigarh: Haryana energy and transport minister Anil Vij on Thursday said the Revolt of 1857 began in Ambala Cantonment even before it did in Meerut, but the contributions of its soldiers and revolutionaries had not received due recognition.Speaking after Union home minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 22-acre Shaheedi Smarak dedicated to the uprising, Vij said the memorial would bring Ambala’s contribution to the freedom struggle to the world’s attention and acquaint future generations with the sacrifices of known and unknown heroes.Vij said British records, including the 1923-24 gazetteer, referred to the revolt by soldiers at Ambala Cantonment on May 10, 1857. Citing historical documents, accounts of British officers and old maps, he also referred to an incident at the Parade Ground in Aug 1857, in which 135 Indian soldiers were allegedly killed in firing within 10 minutes.He said he had pursued the demand for a memorial for nearly 25 years, approaching successive govts. The proposal could not materialise during the Congress govt despite assurances from then chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. After the BJP came to power in 2014, Vij submitted historical documents to then chief minister Manohar Lal, who approved the project.The bhoomi pujan was performed on May 10, 2015, followed by the foundation stone laying on May 11.The memorial has 22 galleries showcasing the uprising and the sacrifices of revolutionaries from Ambala to Meerut and across the country, including Rani Lakshmibai and Rao Tula Ram. Visitors would need around six hours to explore the galleries, Vij said.Its attractions include a 63-metre-high lotus-shaped tower, a 300-seat auditorium and modern facilities. A digital tribute mechanism will allow visitors to record their names through a touchscreen, triggering a flame symbolising homage to the martyrs.
