Independence Day 2022: Ten crucial places to our freedom

On India's 76th Independence Day, here we list some historical lesser-known monuments that narrate their muffled tales.

Bangalore Fort in Bengaluru, Karnataka: Nicknamed the ‘Abode of Happiness,' the Bangalore Fort was built by Kempe Gowda in 1537. It was further enlarged during CR Wodeyar's rule between 1673 AD & 1704 AD. The 3rd Mysore war in March 1791 between the Kingdom of Mysore and the East India Company and the British captured it. After their victory, the Fort was dismantled and the process continued till the 1930s and made space to construct colleges, schools, bus stands, and hospitals. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Mangal Pandey Park in Barrackpore, West Bengal: This park has a statue of Mangal Pandey, the revolutionary who revolted against the British Lieutenant Baugh. The statue is under the banyan tree where he was hanged by the British authorities. The park, although under-maintained by the officials, is still significant in denoting the 'first spark of Independence'.

Sir Henry Lawrence Residence: To handle an insurrection of a native regiment near Lucknow following the first revolt for independence, Sir Henry Lawrence arranged for a garrison of over 1,400 Britishers and took refuge in this Residency. An intense battle raged that went on for almost 60 days, with even supplies of food, water and medicines completely cut off. Outnumbered, Lawrence was forced into a retreat. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Residency was soon besieged by the soldiers and the Siege of Lucknow commenced. A school, a post office, a jail, a graveyard of Lawrence and the soldiers near a church, and a stable, all deeply scarred with the marks of cannonballs and sniper bullets, are what remain of the Residence. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Jhansi Rani ka Qila in Bangira, Uttar Pradesh: Strategically located on Bangara Hill, this fort is spread over 20 hectares and has 10 massive gates. The Fort was a stronghold of the Chandela Kings in Balwant Nagar from the 11th through the 17th century and Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, who led the 1857 revolt against the British. The Fort withstood heavy bombardment by the British forces for 17 days before it fell to them. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Cellular jail in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Kaala Pani, or Cellular jail, was built in the middle of the ocean, as a place of exile for political prisoners. This eerie-looking Panopticon-style jail has been converted into a museum which portrays the hardships the inmates had to endure, including displays of various means used for torture. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Aga Khan Palace in Pune, Maharashtra: Sultan Mohammed Shah built the palace in 1892 for Rs 12 lakhs. The aesthetic amalgamation of Islamic and hints of Italian architecture. In 1942, the palace served as a jail for Congress Working Committee leaders who were released only after the end of the second world war in 1944. Prince Karim El Husseni, Aga Khan IV, donated the palace to the government of India in 1969. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Fort St. George in Chennai, Tamil Nadu: This Fort was one of the cornerstones in establishing British rule in India. This fort was constructed in 1639 by the Britishers to establish an English trade monopoly on the Coromandel Coast. The Fort faced many attacks from the French and Hyder Ali, the Sultan of Mysore. In 1783, the final modifications and reconstructions were done. The fort has more or less existed in the same form till the present. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Paona Brajabashi and Khongjom war memorial in Khongjom, Manipur: This monument was inaugurated by former President Pranab Mukherjee on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Anglo-Manipur war. The memorial and statue symbolise the patriotism and courage of the warriors such as Paona Brajabasi and other warriors who fought against the British Army at the Khongjom battlefield of 1891. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Mubarak Mandi in J&K: Overlooking the Tawi River, this palace is from where the Dogra rulers reigned for over 200 years. The palace has endured damages post the 1783-1808 CE war won by Raja Ranjit Singh, and later the first Anglo-Sikh war in 1845-46, which ended in the formation of the Treaty of Amritsar. After Maharaja Hari Singh moved out, it became the Royal Court and Secretariat of the Jammu kings until it was taken over by the state government post Independence. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The East India Company Factory, Gujarat: The East India Company arrived first at Surat, the most important centre for the overseas trade of the Mughal Empire, and set up its 1st permanent factory, after winning over the Portuguese in 1612. Four centuries later, those early footprints of the British Empire have been obliterated. There is no sign of the factory that once belonged to the sprawling establishment. The ruins are a testimony to our indifference to heritage structures. Credit: Wikimedia Commons