Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial

Front View of Memorial Monument.jpg

Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial(in bengali: মীরপুর শহীদ বুদ্ধিজীবী স্মৃতিসৌধ) is a monument to commemorate the intellectual martyrs of Bangladesh Liberation War. It was first built on 22 December 1972 and has since been renovated a few times. The memorial is located in Mirpur area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Almost at the end of Liberation war of Bangladesh, when the Pakistani military became certain of their defeat, they started killing university teachers, writers, artists and statesmen in a planned manner. Especially on the night of 14 December, just two days before the official surrender, Pakistani army, along with the help of local collaborators systematically abducted hundreds of intellectuals from their houses and killed them blindfolded. The memorial is dedicated to the memory of 1971 killing of Bengali intellectuals.

Location

The monument is located in Mirpur adjacent to Shah Ali Mazaar. Mirpur is located 10 miles to the north-east of the centre of Dhaka.^[1] Streets to the monument is generally wide.

History

Intellectuals were actually the backbone of the nation and through their extreme merits it was possible to build a Golden Bangladesh which we are thinking right now.Being the symbols of prosperity it is quite absurd to undermine their contribution. They all were busy to use their knowledge for creating social awareness among people. For example, if the painters were trying to show the violent acts of Pakistani army, the singers produced songs such as,"JOY BANGLA BANGLAR JOY"( means: Its victory of Bengali, Bengali's victory) that gave inspiration to fight against misdeeds. All the remaining intellectuals gave their whole-hearted effort in order to bring stable political system.^[2]

When Pakistani realised that defeat is very near to them they started to kill the intellectuals just two days before the independence. So Pakistani army officer created a list of intellectuals that they want to kill. In this situation local rebel groups like Al-Badar, Al-Shams and so on helped the Pakistani army to succeed in their mission.^[3] Taking the advantage of existing curfew system, the Pakistani army abducted and carried away the targeted intellectuals from their houses in Gestapo style to particular camps or spots. Mirpur and Rayerbazar were the places where dead bodies were found in a pathetic situatioin;hands tied and eyes covered and even some conditions penetrates all the sense of human nature. These places emerged with dark spots as time goes on. The bright future of Bangladesh became merely a myth when ferocious Pakistany Army killed the great sons of the nation. Since then the nation observe the day commonly known as "Shohid Buddhijibi Dibosh".^[4]

Architectural Values

In memory of Martyred Intellectuals a Memorial has been established in Mirpur.^[5] The area of the Memorial in Mirpur is about 100 acres. The main structure of the Memorial is triangular structures of red bricks, erected by an altar made of black granite and a foundation plaque of marvelous marble.^[6] A poem in bengali is written on it in remembrance of the intellectuals,that is, "UDOYEB POTHE SHUNI KAR BANI, VOI NEI, ORE VOI NEI- NITSHESHE PRAN KORIBE DAN KHOI NEI TAR KHOI NEI",this means, Whose message we are hearing at sunrise, No fear, There is no fear,One who will give his life, He will never be destroyed. Between each triangular structure there are steps to the plaque.Prominent writer Rafiqul Islam said that the Memorial in Mirpur was sympathetically built by the students of Architecture Department of Dhaka University.

Things around the monumen'

On the side of the monument there is a small mass graveyard and graveyard of local people. On the other side a graveyard of the intellectuals is signified. One of the recognised grave was of Flight Lt. Matiur Rahman. The place embedded like a park structure surrounded by different kinds of trees and sitting facilities.

Present Condition

Memorial is controlled by Dhaka city co-operation. The place has become densely populated. It has now turned into a place of recreation. The beautification of the area has enhanced to a great value. On 14 December 2010 President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages paid rich tributes to the memories of the martyred intellectuals. The day's programme began with placing of wreaths by President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial at Mirpur in the capital early in the morning.President Zillur Rahman was the first to place a wreath at the altar of the memorial, followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Both the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence there for some time as the bugle played the last post. They also talked to the war-wounded freedom fighters and children of the martyred intellectuals there and enquired about their wellbeing.^[7]

Reference

1. ^ Extending themselves, pg-10,Abraham Tipple, ISBN 0-85323-913-4
2. ^ A Tale of Millions, pg - 265-268, Rafiqul Islam. ISBN 984 412 039 X
3. ^ A Tale of Millions, pg - 274-275, Rafiqul Islam. ISBN 984 412 039 X
4. ^ Banglapedia, vol-6, pg- 110, Chief editor- Sirajul Islam, Managing Editor- Sajahan Miah- Asiatic Society Of Bangladesh.ISBN 984-32-0581-2
5. ^ Banglapedia, vol-7, pg- 30, Chief editor- Sirajul Islam, Managing Editor- Sajahan Miah- Asiatic Society Of Bangladesh.ISBN 9843205766
6. ^ Mirpur memorial mum on martyrs, Sabrina Karim Murshed volume 4 numbers 193, web 19 December 2003.
7. ^ Martyred Intellectuals' Day observed,Daily StarTuesday,web: December 14, 2010

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