Shaheed Minar
The Central Shaheed Minar was built in honor of the martyrs who were killed in 1952 during the historical Language Movement. It is the national monument of Bangladesh. It is a symbol of freedom, strength, and unity. It is located at the premises of the University of Dhaka, beside Dhaka Medical College. Hamidur Rahman was the architect of this monument. The Shaheed Minar is not simply a memorial but something more. It is of great importance and significance in our national life. It was built to tribute the martyrs who gave up their life for language. The Language Movement martyrs are remembered at the Shaheed Minar every year.
The Shaheed Minar is the symbol of our national hopes and aspirations. It symbolizes all the aspirations of Bengali identity and nationalism. It has been designed with a view to focussing on the Language Movement as the central concept. On February 21, 1952, Salam, Barkat, Jabbar, Rafique, and many other unknown people were killed brutally by the Pakistani oppressors near this place when they brought out a procession demanding Bengali as our state language. The Shaheed Minar conveys the aspirations of the people. The basic horizontal and vertical forms of the Shaheed Minar bring out the concept of Bengali solidarity and unity for her national identity. The four columns on both sides of the central structure reflect the balance and harmony of the united stand. The vertical lines are the manifestation of inner strength and the four columns on both sides of the central structure reflect the balance and harmony of a united stand. The Shahid Minar is not a mere mausoleum but is symbolizes our national hope and inspiration. It freshens our motivation to keep our language clean and Safe from attacks of other languages and cultures. It reminds us of the devotion of the martyrs of the language movement.
Thus the Shaheed Minar stands for the unified aspirations of Bengali identity and nationalism. It is a unique example in the whole world that the heroic sons of this soil sacrificed their lives for the cause of the mother tongue. A replica monument is situated in the Altab Ali Park in the Tower Hamlets of East London and another is found in the Westwood neighborhood of Oldham. When we stand before a Shaheed Minar, we feel honored having the Bengali Identity. Our heart lifts with pride for those brave sons who had sacrificed their lives for our mother tongue. Every year, the Language Movement is remembered at the monument.
