Mutiny Memorial
The Mutiny Memorial is located on Rani Jhansi Road, about 500 meters south of Hindu Rao Hospital on the Northern Ridg. The British built this octagonal tapering tower of red sandstone in 1863. Now known as Ajitgarh, Its architecture shows a ‘Gothic influence.’ It was erected ‘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.’
Situated just 200 meters away from the Ashoka Pillar, the tower is circular from inside and is raised on a base that is two-tiered. It has an ornamental façade and also has 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. This plaque mentions that the ‘enemy’ mentioned by the British were actually the freedom fighters and martyrs of the country, who fought bravely against the repressive colonial rule in the First War of Indian Independence.
