10 Most Iconic Landmarks of the Indian Freedom Struggle [2023]

The Indian freedom struggle was not only a long but also bloody one that ended 190-year-long British Rule in India. Throughout the period of the revolt, there were several iconic landmarks that played critical roles in the freedom movement and served as the symbol of hope, courage, and determination toward making the motherland free from colonial rule. Here, we explore the must-see iconic landmarks of the Indian freedom struggle, signifying their role in influencing the course of history.?

10 Must-See Iconic Landmarks of Indian Freedom Struggle [2023]

1. Red Fort, Delhi

Considered one of the anti-colonial resistance monuments, Red Fort is one of the most significant places in the history of the Indian freedom struggle. The fort was constructed by Mughal ruler Shahjahan when he transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi. It has survived several attacks since the Britishers came to India. Britishers took control of Red Fort in 1857 when they defeated Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and converted it into the British Army headquarters. When India achieved its freedom, the first prime minister of the nation, Jawaharlal Nehru, raised the national flag and gave a historic speech, a tradition that continues even today.

2. Mubarak Mandi, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

Located near the Tawi River, Mubarak Mandi is the place where Dogra rulers reigned for over 200 years, and each of them, including the Vatican Pope, made a significant contribution to its expansion. It comprises styles of European, Rajasthani, Baroque, and Mughal architecture. The palace survived the damages post-1783-1808 CE war, which was won by Raja Ranjit Sigh, and the first Anglo-Sikh war of 1845-1846, which resulted in the Treaty of Amritsar. When Maharaja Hari Singh moved out, it became the Royal Court and Secretariat of Jammu Kings. After independence, the palace was taken over by the state government. The Dogra Art Museum, accommodating over 800-odd rare paintings from Kangra, Basohli, and Jammu, is the only part of Mubarak Mandi open to the public.?

3. Bangalore Fort, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Bangalore Fort, also called Abode of Happiness, was constructed by Kempe Gowda in 1537 using mud and mortar. After the arrival of Chikaadeva Raya Wodeyar’s rule, the structure was enlarged between 1673 AD and 1704 AD. Hyder Ali converted this structure into stone mortar in 1761, also strengthened by Ali’s son, Tipu Sultan. The Third Mysore War was fought between the Kingdom of Mysore, led by Commandant Bahadur Khan, and the East India Company, accompanied by the Maratha Empire and Nizam of Hyderabad, in 1791. The fort’s Delhi Gate was breached, and the Britishers succeeded in capturing it. Post their victory, the Bangalore Fort was dismantled until 1930, and the space was used to construct hospitals, schools, colleges, and bus stands.?

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4. Jhansi Rani ka Qila, Bangira, Uttar Pradesh

It has a strategic location at Banjara Hill, Jhansi Rani ka Qila, comprising ten gates and over 20 hectares of land space. Chandela Kinds strongly controlled the fort in Balwant Nagar from the 11th century to the 17th century, and Rani Lakshmi Bai led a revolt against the Britishers. When the Britishers advanced towards the fort, Rani Lakshmi Bai tried to escape and capture the Gwalior fort, but before she reached there, she succumbed to the battle with British forces. The British heavily bombarded the fort for 17 days until it fell.?

5. Mangal Pandey Park, Barrackpore, West Bengal

Sahid Mangal Pandey Maha Udyan is the place where the first martyr, a great patriot, raised his voice against the oppressive British Raj in 1857 and was hanged on 8 April that year at Barrackpore. The park has a statue of the legendary hero under the banyan tree, where British authority hanged him. Possibly a lesser-known, but it's one of the most significant landmarks of the Indian freedom struggle and frequently attracts tourists, particularly on weekends and holidays.?

6. Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab

Describing the Indian freedom struggle is incomplete without mentioning the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919. It's one of the historic landmarks of the Indian freedom movement that still makes Indians' blood boil. When tens of thousands of people gathered in this walled garden for a peaceful protest against British Rule in India, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered his armed forces to open fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women, and children on 13 April 1919. There were around 1,000 people killed and 1,500 injured. This place has now transformed into a memorial, still having bullet marks on the walls and adjoining buildings.?

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7. Kala Pani (Cellular) Jail, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Isolated from the mainland, Kala Pani, the cellular jail was constructed in the middle of the ocean, Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the British. Considered one of the most dreaded and gruelling prisons of the colonial era, Kala Pani Jail was used to imprison political prisoners, including some notable freedom fighters like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. However, the jail was built between 1896 and 1906 based on Jermy Bentham’s Panopticon design; British rulers used the island as a prison from 1857.?

8. Netaji Bhawan, Kolkata, West Bengal

Known for its historical importance, Netaji Bhawan was built by Janakinath Bose, father of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, in 1909. Subhas Chandra Bose lived here during the Indian freedom struggle, and the house served as the centre of political activities, guiding and motivating freedom fighters. It's also where Netaji made his grade escape from house arrest in 1941 and fled to Berlin. Later, he travelled to Japan-occupied Southeast Asia and formed an Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) to fight against British Rule.?

9. Aga Khan Palace, Pune, Maharashtra

Aga Khan III, Sultan Mohammed Shah constructed the Aga Khan Palace in 1892 for Rs 12 lakh. The structure is spread over seven acres and represents the perfect amalgamation of Islamic and Italian design, while the rest of the 12 acres are allocated for the well-maintained garden. Post Quit India movement, notable leaders like Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Mahadev Desai, and Mahatma Gandhi, among others, were imprisoned here at this palace from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944. During this imprisonment tenure, Kasturba Gandhi, due to prolonged illness, and Mahadev Desai, due to a heart attack, passed away, and the samadhis of both freedom fighters were built within the campus. Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim El Husseini, donated this historic monument, signifying the Indian freedom struggle, to the Government of India in 1969.

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10. Lucknow Residency, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Constructed during the regime of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, the British Residency of Lucknow has a significant place in the history of the Indian freedom struggle. It is now in ruins and has been categorised as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Lucknow Residency was a refuge for nearly 3,000 British inhabitants during the increasing revolt of 1857. Today, the British Residency of Lucknow has been converted into a government office, and some part of it has also been preserved as a museum managed by authorities.?

Conclusion

From Red Fort, symbolising Indian might, to Bangalore Fort, Aga Khan Palace, and Kala Pani Jail, among others, all of these iconic landmarks of the Indian freedom struggle give us a strong reminder of the sacrifices made to achieve independence. A visit to these historical sites is a small way to recognise, remember, and celebrate our brave history.?

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