Ambala (Haryana) [India], November 5 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated the state-of-the-art 1857 Shaheed Smarak (Martyrs’ Memorial) in Ambala Cantonment, declaring that Ambala was the crucible of India's first war of independence and that the new memorial will serve as a lighthouse of patriotic inspiration for youth across the nation.
Addressing a public gathering at Gandhi Ground to mark Haryana State Foundation Day and celebrate the state's 60th anniversary, Shah highlighted Ambala's pivotal historical role and emphasised the uprising's impact.
"Ambala is the very ground where the freedom struggle of 1857 began on May 10th. This struggle shook the foundations of the British Empire. The revolution of 1857 was not just a rebellion, but a genuine struggle for freedom," he said.
While standard mainstream historical accounts routinely mark Meerut as the epicentre of the Great Rebellion of 1857, regional historical research and local administrative records present a compelling timeline showing that the initial spark actually ignited hours earlier on the soil of Ambala, exemplified by the newly established 1857 Shaheed Smarak in Ambala Cantonment.
According to historical investigations by scholars like Professor KC Yadav alongside local district archives, troops of the 60th Native Infantry and 5th Native Infantry stationed at Ambala Cantonment openly revolted on the morning of May 10, 1857, around 9:00 AM—several hours before soldiers in Meerut took up arms later that afternoon.
The May 10 rising was not an isolated impulse; a series of deliberate arson attacks targeting British officers' bungalows had already been taking place across Ambala between late March and May 1, 1857, indicating deep-seated and organised unrest.
Unlike in Meerut, where the rebellion surged into a widespread multi-city movement, British commanders in Ambala were on high alert. Swift military suppression, coupled with early leaks of the plan, intercepted and contained the uprising before it could achieve full momentum.
Describing the newly inaugurated memorial in Ambala Cantonment, Shah highlighted its integration of cutting-edge technology and cultural heritage. "Today, on this very soil, a grand memorial dedicated to the 1857 Uprising has been established... The memorial integrates modern technology—such as virtual galleries, immersive reality, holography, and interactive projections—with historical documents, while also beautifully weaving in the diverse artistic traditions of Haryana... It features a light-and-sound show that transports us back to the era of 1857..."
"This memorial, built in Ambala, will serve as a great source of patriotic inspiration for the youth and adolescents across the entire nation... Today, Haryana—though small in size—contributes the highest number of soldiers to the Indian Armed Forces," added Shah.
Shah made a direct appeal to young citizens nationwide to visit the site, "I want to appeal to the youth across the country that if you want to understand who made it possible for us to be where we are today, you must visit this memorial in Ambala and pay tribute to the martyrs."
Along with the memorial, the Home Minister announced major infrastructure developments and showcased the achievements of the BJP leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini over the past 12 years: Inaugurated a ₹1,260 crore National Highway project to enhance state connectivity.
He highlighted that Haryana is the only state in the country procuring 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), alongside implementing the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana for horticulture, noting that Haryana became the first state to operate a hydrogen train, build the nation's first elevated railway track, and achieve smoke-free status with universal LPG coverage.
He underlined a 40% increase in conviction rates following the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 50% reservation for women in local bodies, educated panchayats, the country's largest Transgender Welfare Board, free 1,000-km travel schemes, and the end of the state's "transfer industry."
Aiming at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding ongoing demands for guaranteed crop prices in neighbouring Punjab, Shah drew a sharp contrast with Haryana's procurement record. "I am visiting Punjab frequently for the campaign for a drug-free India and a drug-free Punjab. There, farmers stand with placards demanding an MSP guarantee. Rahul ji has given them a rattle... I tell everyone that holding placards will not achieve anything. Form a BJP government, form an NDA government. Our Haryana is providing MSP for 24 crops." (ANI)
"Ambala is the very ground where freedom struggle began": Amit Shah inaugurates 1857 Shaheed Smarak, lauds Haryana's governance milestones
