MOMENTS IN TIME

CHITRANJAN PARK, VARANASI

Named after Deshbandhu Chitranjan Das, Chitranjan Park is a well-known place situated in the heart of Varanasi near Dashashwamedh Ghat. Congress stalwart Chitranjan Das had visited Banaras several times before Independence and held several meetings at this place. During his visit to the city, he used to meet local leaders to formulate strategy for freedom movement. The park was named after Chitranjan Das after Independence.

NEEM KA PED, ALLAHABAD

The ‘Neem Ka Pedh’ site near kotwali in Chowk locality in old city area holds a special place in the history of India’s freedom struggle. It was at this place that the British, in an attempt to establish its supremacy and subdue the Indians after struggle for Independence in 1857, had hanged around 800 Indians from seven Neem trees at the site. However, successive governments failed to recognise the significance of the place and develop it into a memorial.

COMPANY BAGH, MALL ROAD, KANPUR

The big, old banyan tree on the west side of this sprawling park was used to hang 135 freedom fighters in 1857 by the embittered British forces, avenging the Satti Chaura incident. A memorial was established inside the Company Bagh, from where all the relics of raj era were shifted to All Souls’ Church following independence in 1947.

THE MEMORIAL AT CHAURI CHAURA, GORAKHPUR

In 1922, a mob of revolutionaries torched the Chauri Chaura police station, killing 23 policemen forcing Mahatma Gandhi to call back the Non Cooperation Movement. At least 19 freedom fighters were hanged in July 1923. The memorial is the reminder of the martyrs.

PURANI CHUNGI MAIDAN, AGRA

The ground facing the library of Dara Shikoh, known as Purani Chungi Maidan, enjoys an eternal connection with India’s freedom struggle. This is the ground where freedom fighters used to assemble in their fight against the British rule. A day after Mahatma Gandhi gave the call for Quit India Movement on August 9, 1942, a young man from Agra laid down his life for the country here.