DOWN MEMORY LANE
Stories of bravery unfold at India’s tallest religious tower Fateh Burj at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial in Mohali
Not many people know that Punjab is home to India's tallest religious tower. Located on the outskirts of Mohali, the monument—Fateh Burj—is housed in the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial. Dedicated to the valour of Sikhs and their glorious history, this tower bears testimony to the conquests of the Sikh general Banda Singh Bahadur who took on the might of the Mughal empire in early 18th century. Inaugurated on November 30, 2011, this 20-acre memorial is a sight to behold.
Snapshot of a Braveheart Formerly known as Madhu Das, Banda Singh was a reformed bandit living in the forests near Nanded in Maharashtra. It was there that the 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh initiated him into the Khalsa Panth and gave him the responsibility of going to Punjab to organise an army of Sikhs to battle the tyranny of the Mughal rulers. Subsequently, he became an inspiring figure who stood up against injustice and protected the weak against atrocities.
Towering Glory Perhaps the one thing that draws maximum visitors to the memorial is the 328-feet-tall Fateh Burj or the tower of victory. The tower is dedicated to establishment of the Sikh Misls in India in the year 1711. Each of the three floors of the tower depicts a story. The first one symbolises the victory of Sikhs against the Mughals at Samana (now in Patiala district of Punjab), the second is dedicated to the victory of Sadhaura (now in Yamunanagar district of Haryana) and the third is about the conquest of Sirhind in the battle fought at Chappar Chiri.
Chappar Chiri, about 15 km from Chandigarh, is the site where Banda Singh Bahadur won a decisive battle against Wazir Khan, commander of the Mughal army, and avenged the execution of the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh at Sirhind.
More to the Memorial Apart from the tower, there are life-size statues of Banda Singh Bahadur and his five generals—Bhai Fateh Singh, Bhai Ali Singh, Bhai Mali Singh, Bhai Baj Singh and Bhai Ram Singh—placed on landscaped mounds along a water body. The green areas with well-lined paths enveloping the water body makes the place ideal for a stroll. There’s also an open-air theatre, a green belt, a reception and a canteen for the visitors.