| Description: | This towering Shahid Minar is located at one of the most picturesque locales of Kolkata towards the North Eastern expanse of the Maidan. As the evening sun sets on the far horizon and dusk descends on the city of joy, this magnificent snow-white tower is lit up from all corners, which makes for a dazzling display right in the heart of Kolkata.
This monumental Minar (tower) was built by the British East India Company in the year 1828 to proclaim their hard earned victory over the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The original name of this tower was Ochterlony Monument, aptly named after Sir David Ochterlony of the East India Company who was instrumental in securing victory over Nepal in the war of 1814-16.
This tower is no ordinary tower, which was designed by renowned British architect - J.P. Parker. The visionary that Mr. Parker was, he designed this tower with a harmonious fusion of the Syrian, Egyptian and Turkish schools of architecture. The column is Syrian, the base Egyptian while the dome is unmistakably Turkish.
Adventurous tourists who are not satisfied with the mere sight of this magnificent tower and have the intention of reaching the pinnacle have to undertake the daunting task of climbing 218 steps in all. Once the last step is successfully encountered and you are on the highest platform, the City of Joy looks like a fairyland. This panoramic view of Kolkata viewed from the top of Shahid Minar is one of the most precious take away home memory for visitors.
Visitors who intend to climb up to the top of the Shahid Minar have to seek permission from the Lal Bazar Police Station, which is close by. A word of advice - "the Shahid Minar is not for the faint hearted and it is an absolute no, no for people with cardiac diseases.
The show doesn't stop once the pinnacle of the Shahid Minar has been conquered. There is more to it then meets the eye. The Minar being located to the left of Chowringhee Road which has now been christened, as Jawaharlal Nehru Road, happens to be the busiest shopping districts of Kolkata, is ideal for souvenir hunting. The roadside hawkers sell everything from Tibetan Thankas to Balucheri sarees. Within the periphery of the Shahid Minar you will also come across the street musicians of Bengal who belt out lilting Bengali folk songs. |
