Loading...The National Martyrs’ Memorial (Jatiyo Sriti Shoudho) is a monument built to preserve the memory of the martyrs who lost their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation War. It is a national symbol of the country and is located in the Savar Upazila, just 25 kilometers from the capital, Dhaka, on 44 hectares of land.
On December 16, 1972, on Victory Day, the President of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, laid the foundation stone of this monument in Nabinagar, on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway, 25 km from Dhaka city. In 1978, President Ziaur Rahman took the initiative to construct the monument, and a design competition was held. Of the 57 designs submitted in June 1978, the design created by Syed Mainul Hossain was selected. Construction began in 1979, and the monument was completed just before Victory Day in 1982.
Foreign heads of state visiting Bangladesh often plant commemorative trees here. Apart from the monument’s tower, the architectural design for the overall project, including the landscaping and other constructions, was done by the Directorate of Architecture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Many who have only seen the front view of the memorial might not understand its structure and the historical significance behind its design. To truly understand it, one must get close to the monument and view it from the side. If you observe it carefully, you’ll notice that the memorial is made up of seven pairs of triangles. Many older people may not know that these seven pairs of walls represent the seven phases of the independence movement. The seven phases are:
- 1952 Language Movement
- 1954 United Front Election
- 1956 Constitution Movement
- 1962 Education Movement
- 1966 Six-Point Movement
- 1969 Mass Uprising
- 1971 Great Liberation War
These seven events are considered the chronological course of the independence movement, and the monument was built to reflect this journey.
The memorial is open to visitors from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On special national days, such as Victory Day and Independence Day, a large crowd gathers at the site.
How to Reach:
Buses to the memorial leave daily from various parts of Dhaka, including Shahbagh, Farmgate, Asadgate, Shyamoli, Gabtali, and Savar. Buses like D-Link and Abhijatri operate along this route. The fare ranges from 25 to 35 Taka.
What Not to Do:
- Do not throw chocolate wrappers, chips packets, or any trash anywhere. Please pick up litter and dispose of it in the dustbins provided.
- Do not pluck flowers from the trees. Please respect nature.
- Avoid attempting to climb the memorial from the side. This is disrespectful to the monument and the martyrs of the Liberation War.
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