Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the vision of Viksit Bharat was possible only because of the sacrifices made by India’s freedom fighters. He described Ambala as the starting point of the 1857 uprising against British rule.
Shah made the remarks while inaugurating the Azadi Ki Pehli Ladai Ka Shaheed Smarak in Ambala, Haryana. The memorial honours those who sacrificed their lives during the First War of Independence in 1857.
“Ambala is the very ground where the freedom struggle of 1857 began on May 10. This struggle shook the foundations of the British Empire,” Shah said. He described the uprising as a genuine fight for freedom, not merely a rebellion.
He said the memorial would inspire young people across the country. Shah added that Haryana, despite its small size, contributes the highest number of soldiers to the Indian Armed Forces.
The inauguration took place during Haryana Foundation Day celebrations. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other dignitaries attended the event.
Spread across nearly 22 acres, the memorial has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore.
It features 23 galleries that showcase different aspects of the 1857 uprising. More than 700 martyrs’ names appear in golden letters.
The complex uses digital presentations, interactive displays, 360-degree projections and laser-and-sound shows to recreate key events from the uprising.
It aims to promote historical learning, research and tourism while highlighting Ambala’s role in the freedom movement.The memorial will open to the public on November 6.
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