Brahmanbaria War Memorial Honoring Allied Indian Forces Finally Opens to Public
Photo Collected
ASHUGANJ, Brahmanbaria — The district administration has officially opened the “Moitree Stambha” (Friendship Monument) to the public, a commemorative site dedicated to the Indian allied forces who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Liberation War. District Commissioner Md. Abu Sayeed inaugurated the site on Thursday, nearly two years after construction was completed.
Located on 3.61 acres along the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in the Kamaura area of Ashuganj, the monument stands as a historical repository of the sacrifices made during Bangladesh’s independence struggle. The project, initially launched in 2017 with a budget of 16 million taka, underwent several revisions and cost escalations, eventually totaling 72 million taka before reaching completion in December 2024.
The monument serves as a tribute to the 1,661 Indian soldiers who died in Bangladesh during the conflict, including 1,482 army personnel, 29 Border Security Force members, 11 air force personnel, 6 naval officers, and 149 commissioned and junior commissioned officers. Their names are inscribed in bronze at the base of the main structure.
The architectural layout features engraved murals depicting key historical moments, ranging from the military rule of 1958 and the revolutionary protests of 1962 to the surrender of Pakistani forces. Artistic installations also highlight the joint operations of the Mukti Bahini and Indian allied forces, including depictions of tanks, helicopters, and combat artillery.
The facility includes a fountain, an office and museum, a children’s park, and 27 commercial stalls, including a food court and a restaurant. To cover maintenance costs, which include an estimated 800,000 taka in monthly electricity bills, the administration has set an entry fee of 20 taka.
“We decided to open the site following directives from the ministry, as there was significant public interest and concerns regarding potential degradation from environmental factors,” said District Commissioner Md. Abu Sayeed. He added that the administration is currently evaluating whether to lease the facility for maintenance or manage the site directly.
The site’s longevity faces environmental challenges due to its proximity to the Dhaka-Sylhet highway and several nearby rice mills, which produce significant amounts of dust and soot. Local authorities, including the Upazila Liberation War veterans’ representative Abul Hashem Azad, have previously urged for the relocation of these industrial units to protect the integrity of the monument.
The monument stands as a testament to the alliance formed in November 1971, which played a decisive role in the liberation of Bangladesh. It is expected to serve as an educational landmark for new generations to learn about the historical trajectory of the nation’s independence.
0%
0%
0%
0%
