Agra’s Purani Chungi Maidan has an eternal connect with patriotism
Now an open space in neglect, the ‘Purani Chungi Maidan’ facing the Dara Shikoh library in Agra has an eternal connection with India’s freedom movement. It’s the place where freedom fighters used to assemble in their fight against the British rule. Two days after Mahatma Gandhi gave the call for the Quit India Movement, a youth from Agra laid down his life for the country here on August 10, 1942.
“The resolution for the Quit India Movement was passed by Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai on August 8, 1942, as the nation was growing impatient against the British rule. The British too got active, and with the call for Quit India Movement, arrests of freedom fighters began all over India,” stated Shashi Shiromani, a veteran freedom fighter in Agra, now in his nineties.
“From August 9, the movement began spreading across the country and the uprising was named ‘August Kranti’. Late Krishna Dutt Paliwal, after whom Paliwal Park exists in the heart of Agra, was leading the freedom movement and was arrested along with prominent leaders by the British regime,” he said.
“Another veteran freedom fighter Babu Lal Mittal, who had gone underground, was asked to lead the Quit India movement in Agra and a call was given for a public meeting at Purani Chungi Maidan on August 10, 1942. Angered by the arrest of prominent freedom fighters in Agra, people were charged up as they prepared for the meeting,” recalled Shiromani.
“This Purani Chungi Maidan was named after the location of the municipal office often termed as ‘chungi’. It was an open space facing the historic library of Dara Shikoh, brother of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who got Dara Shikoh killed in the race for the throne. Located within the prosperous stone market, Purani Chungi Maidan was a favourite spot for meetings held during the freedom struggle,” revealed the veteran.
Before the meeting on August 10, the crowds moving in processions through the ma areas of Agra were marke British cops lined up all thro the route. The people gath at Purani Chungi Maidan amidst slogan raising, atmosphere got charged up resulted in stone pelting des appeals for peaceful condu meeting.
“A young man identifie Parush Ram, in his twen was shot dead in the police ing and this led to chaos. killing triggered protest closed market areas. The test spread to rural areas violence took place at Cham railway station near Agra, added.
Such was the connec Purani Chungi Maidan patriotism that even after i pendence, freedom figh used to gather here to celeb occasions like Independe Day.