Shaheed Minar: The oldest Icon of Kolkata

All great cities have their own icons, one or more architectural wonders that highlight the area’s exclusivity. The Taj Mahal represents Agra, the Charminar Hyderabad, the Eiffel Tower Paris, the Colosseum Rome, and many more. Additionally not an exception is Calcutta. Despite being much newer than the aforementioned examples, the City of Joy has a distinctive personality and undoubtedly some magnificent icons.

Any Calcuttan can tell you five architectural styles that, in his opinion, best describe the city. I wager that the three items listed below will be present in the response: Shaheed Minar, Howrah Bridge, and the Victoria Memorial. While the first two have not yet become 100 years old, Shaheed Minar is almost at its 200-year mark.

The Ochterlony Monument, constructed in remembrance and honour of Sir David Ochterlony, Commander of the British East India Company, was formerly or initially known as the “Monument.” The memorial was planned after his passing in 1825, and work on it began that same year.

The tower was designed by J. B. Parker and built by Burn & Company with the assistance of Charles Knowles Robison. Martin & Co. and Burn & Company later merged to form Martin Burn Limited, which was then owned by Sir R N Mukherjee.

This, like many other Calcutta heritage buildings, was paid for by subscriptions from the general population. An estimated 35,000 rupees were spent on the construction. In 1828, the landmark was finished.

This structure that kisses the clouds was created in the manner of Islamic architecture. Through its base, column, and dome, the monument as a whole exhibits three separate designs. The structure is based on an artificial Egyptian design.

Each of the 82 20-foot-long Sal logs was driven into the ground with its head 8 feet below the surface. A sturdy teakwood frame was placed over them, and 8 feet of sturdy brickwork was built above that.

The monument’s entrance is actually on its square base. The entry is through the North and is decorated with a circular corinthian leaf garland on each of its three sides. The decorations on and above the Iron Gate are reminiscent of ancient Egyptian architecture.

One’s attention will undoubtedly be drawn to the motif of two vultures, most likely, spreading their ‘wings of desire’ or feathered wings. Below the parapet, on the upper portion of the base, are still clearly visible Corinthian leaf patterns.

The masonry of the classically fluted column is built with an upper section in Syrian style. Two balconies and a red bronze dome, more accurately a Turkish cupola, are on top of the column. You may reach the first balcony by ascending the 218-step serpentine staircase made of Chunar stone, which has 7 more steps to the top floor.

A dinner party is said to have been hosted on top of the shaft, which was then 3 feet above the second balcony and 145 feet above the earth, right before the Monument was finished.

A safe temporary railing was set up to safeguard the guests as the seats were positioned around the balcony. The party lasted until the “strange hour” of nine o’clock at night, according to old records, and was “unique and amusing.

The Ochterlony Monument was renamed Shaheed Minar or the Martyrs’ Monument in honour of the Indian Freedom Struggle martyrs during the United Front Government’s rule in 1969, led by Chief Minister Ajay Mukherjee. The judgement took effect on August 9th, 1969.

Shaheed Minar Maidan or Brigade Parade Ground is the name of the enormous green field to the south of the Shaheed Minar. The Indian Army is the owner of it. Brigade literally refers to an army division. In the British era, the entire Maidan field, also known as the “Green before the Court,” was initially constructed as a 5 sq. km. area for a parade of British forces. The “Lungs of Kolkata” are now in focus. Nowadays, political demonstrations are frequently held on Brigade Parade Ground (posters for “Brigade Cholo” can be seen everywhere in the city).

However, Rabindranath Tagore presided over the first-ever political gathering organised here in 1931 to denounce the British assassination of a young man in Hijli.

Although entry is limited, the Shaheed Minar’s balconies provide a wonderful panoramic view of Kolkata. Since a tourist plunged off the Monument’s lower balcony in 1997, admission has been restricted. Currently, following the refurbishment of the building, anyone wishing to ascend must first obtain permission from Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police HQ, in order to do so.

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