Swahid Smarak Kshetra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Swahid Smarak Kshetra | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Interactive map of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra area | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Public monument |
| Location | Boragaon, Guwahati, Assam |
| Coordinates | 26°06′27″N 91°41′00″E / 26.1075°N 91.6833°E |
| Construction started | 2020 |
| Completed | 2025[1] |
| Height | |
| Roof | 225 feet (69 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | TD Architects |
Swahid Smarak Kshetra is a memorial and park in Boragaon, Guwahati, Assam, India, dedicated to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement (1979–1985). The memorial commemorates the sacrifice of 860 numbers of agitators who lost their lives during the mass movement that sought to protect the cultural, linguistic and territorial identity of Assam.[1]
The Assam Movement, also known as the Anti-Foreigners Agitation, was a popular uprising in Assam, India, from 1979 to 1985, with the demand to the Government of India to detect and deport illegal aliens.[2][3] Led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) the movement defined a six-year period of sustained civil disobedience campaigns, political instability and widespread ethnic violence.[4] The movement ended with the Assam Accord in 1985.[5][6]
History
The foundation stone of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra was first laid on 10 December 2020 by then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on the occasion of Swahid Diwas (Martyrs’ Day). The project was envisioned to create a permanent landmark in memory of the Assam Agitation martyrs, whose struggles culminated in the Assam Accord of 1985.[7]
For decades, Assam lacked a centralized, official memorial honoring the participants of this pivotal movement. The establishment of Swahid Smarak Kshetra marked the state's efforts to institutionalize collective remembrance and educate future generations about the movement's significance.
Architecture
The Swahid Smarak Kshetra complex is spread over approximately 116–117 bighas (about 38 acres) in the West Boragaon area of Guwahati.[8] The centrepiece will feature three 60-metre-tall statues representing abstract human figures.
Key features of the memorial include:
- A central memorial tower rising to about 67.2 m (225 ft), serving as the focal point of the complex.[8]
- A Hall of Fame on the ground floor showcasing statues and busts of approximately 860 martyrs of the Assam Movement; where photographs are unavailable, names are inscribed on plaques.
- Galleries displaying photographs, historical documents, and memorabilia related to the agitation.[9]
- A meditation hall, auditorium (about 500 seats), and visitor facilities such as food courts, walking paths, lakes, and landscaped gardens.
- Recreational and public amenities including a cycling track, water features, and open-air spaces designed for reflection and education.
- A Swahid Pranam Jyoti (eternal flame) to perpetually honor the martyrs’ memory.[1][8]