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Though India gained independence on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a sovereign, democratic, and republic state by adopting the Constitution on January 26, 1950.
There are many places in India where you will find traces of the long journey and events that led to freedom and India becoming an independent republic. Here is a look at some of them.
In Lucknow, visit the ruins of the colonial walls of the British Residency, located in the heart of the city. Lucknow was essential to all military actions during the Revolt of 1857, with the siege at the Residency being the longest and most violent. More than 2,000 individuals living inside the compound died during the estimated 90-day insurrection, which was eventually put down by British armed forces. The complex is now preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and serves as an important historical site in the city. While the Bailey Guard Gate remains tall and intimidating, the buildings and facilities within are severely destroyed. Some were completely destroyed as a result of the shelling. Once a beautiful garden, Musa Bagh too became a prominent site of the 1857 uprising. Lucknow’s active role in the First War of Independence began at this spot.
Getting There
Lucknow Airport or Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at Amausi is about 15 km away from the city centre. The Charbagh Railway Station connects Lucknow with the rest of country.
In the early 1940s, Manipur confronted two big issues: the presence of Allied soldiers in Imphal and Japanese enemy forces seeking to invade India. It was 1944, and the war against Japan had spread to Indian soil, particularly in Manipur and Nagaland. Moirang was the headquarters of the Azad Hind Fauj, or Indian National Army, during the time, and it was here that the INA's flag was first flown on Indian soil. Though the Japanese forces suffered their most devastating defeat to date, the combat helped put Imphal on the map of India's quest for independence. The INA Museum in Moirang contains an amazing gallery that shows rare photos, documents, and letters from Subhash Chandra Bose.
Address: Kumam Leikai, Moirangthem Leikai, Moirang
Timings: 10am to 4pm, Monday closed.
Getting There
You can take a flight to Tulihal International Airport in Imphal, around 45km away. The Jiribam Railway Station Jiribam Manipur is around 240km from Moirang district headquarters.
The stunning Indo-Saracenic campus of Aligarh Muslim University has produced many freedom fighters, including Abdul Gaffar Khan ('Frontier Gandhi'), Raja Mahinder Pratap (president of the first Indian government established in exile in Kabul), Saifuddin Kitchlew (recipient of the Lenin Peace Prize), Ali Sardar Jafri, and Dr. Zakir Husain, India's third president who was also one of the founders of of the Delhi-based Jamia Millia Islamia. The first lifelong membership granted by the university's student union was to Mahatma Gandhi, who had a close link with both the city of Aligarh and AMU. The Maulana Azad Library on campus contains various letters, documents, and images relating to Gandhi.
Getting There
The nearest airport is in New Delhi, around 181km away. You can easily get regular trains to Aligarh from major cities of the country.
In Mumbai, the Gowalia Tank Maidan, today known as August Kranti Maidan, is a spot that was immortalised as the birthplace of the Quit India Movement. On August 8, 1942, Gandhi made a historic speech on these grounds, ordering the British to leave India immediately, or suffer the consequences of nation-wide mass protests. Following Gandhi’s address, Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Indian National Flag here for the first time.
Address: 1, Tejpal Rd, Dadi Sheth Wadi, Tardeo, Mumbai
Timings: 5am to 9pm
Getting There
The main international airport serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Area is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, formerly known as Sahar International Airport. Located at Vile Parle East is the domestic airport. Mumbai has excellent train connections to the rest of India. With connections to the majority of Indian cities, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is the most popular station in Mumbai.
Away from the main heartlands of India, the next location lies in the breathtaking islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Completed in 1906, the Cellular Jail in the Andaman capital of Port Blair was used as an aftermath to the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Numerous political prisoners such as Yogendra Shukla, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were exiled to this remote archipelago. The isolated location of the islands often led to social exclusion, a punishment at times more severe than death.
Timings: 9am to 5pm; Entry Fee: INR 30.
Getting There
Port Blair is home to the Andaman Islands' sole commercial airport, Veer Savarkar International Airport. There are several cities with easily accessible direct flights to Port Blair, including Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai. Nevertheless, not every city offers direct flights to Andaman Island. You will have a layover in another location if you are flying from Delhi or Mumbai. You can also sail from the ports of Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, and Kolkata to Port Blair.
