Mutiny Memorial

The Mutiny Memorial ^[1] is a monument in New Delhi. Also known as Ajitgarh, it was built in memory of British soldiers killed during First War of Indian Independence (Sepoy Mutiny) in 1857.

Its architecture is Gothic with an octagonal perimeter. Around the building there are several plaques bearing names of soldiers killed in battle.The Mutiny Memorial tower was built by the British in 1863 in memory of the officers and soldiers, British and Native of the Delhi Field Force, who were killed in action or died of wounds or disease between 30th May and 20th September 1857 i.e. during the first war of Indian Independence. This octagonal tapering tower of red sandstone is now known as Ajitgarh and is situated just 200 meters away from the Ashoka Pillar.

The architecture of the tower shows a typically Gothic influence and, while the tower is of an octagonal shape from the outside, it is circular from within and is raised on a base that is two-tiered. It has an ornamental façade with a staircase leading to the top. All around the tower there are many plaques on the walls mentioning the names and ranks of the soldiers who fought for the British in the War of 1857.

In the year 1972, on the 25th anniversary of India's Independence, a new plaque was added to the memorial which mentions that the 'enemy' mentioned by the British were actually the freedom fighters and martyrs of India, who fought bravely against the repressive colonial rule in the First War of Indian Independence.

Address – On Rani Jhansi Road, about 500 meters south of Hindu Rao Hospital on the Northern Ridge, Delhi

How to Reach – One could either take local buses or hire an auto rickshaw or a taxi. The nearest Metro station is Kashmiri Gate.

Notes

1. ^ BBC News; Mutiny Memorial