Amit Shah Inaugurates ₹600-Crore 1857 Martyrs’ Memorial in Ambala, Says Anil Vij Will Be Remembered for Years

November 5, 2026

Ambala (Haryana): Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of a martyr memorial to the 1857 uprising in Ambala, Haryana and praised the efforts of state minister Anil Vij, who will be remembered for years to come, he said.

The 22-acre, 22-gallery martyr memorial, which cost about Rs 600 crore to build, will instill a sense of patriotism amongst the youth and pay tribute to all those who fought against the British, Shah told a gathering at Gandhi Ground.

Ambala Was Pivotal To 1857 Revolt

“This revolution of 1857 began from Ambala and spread throughout the country. I would like to pay my respects to all of those who were martyred. This memorial will show the contribution of this area to the freedom struggle of the nation,” he said.

“I would like to give a special congratulations to Anil Vij. With his continued efforts, with the support of Manohar Lal and Nayab Singh Saini we have been able to create a martyr memorial to the 1857 Revolution in Ambala.”

He added, “This memorial has been created on the very land where the revolution began on the 10th of May 1857. It spread throughout the country.”

Shah Praises Anil Vij

“Anil Vij has done a great job. The people of Ambala will remember him for as long as this memorial is here,” he said.

“This memorial, which cost 584 crore rupees to build, is incredible. Vij invited me here personally. Once he begins talking it is hard to get him to stop! Vij will be remembered by the people of Ambala as long as this memorial is here.”

The memorial includes a 63-meter high lotus building. Vij said the lotus was used as a signal during the 1857 uprising so one army company could communicate with another to get ready for battle.

He added the project was approved after submitting the relevant documents to the previous chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The ground breaking ceremony was held on the 10th of May 2015 with the foundation stone laid by Khattar.

Shah Applauds Haryana’s Progression Under BJP Governments

Shah praised Nayab Singh Saini and Manohar Lal Khattar for creating huge changes to Haryana in the last 12 years.

Haryana became the first state in the country to purchase 24 different crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state also played a part in running the country’s first hydrogen powered train and creating the country’s first elevated railway track.

He also mentioned Haryana’s educated panchayat, 50% female reservation and contribution to the armed forces, agriculture and sports.

Shah added Haryana has always won the most medals in national sports and contributed the most soldiers to the armed forces.

Saini Refers To Shah As Iron Man

Nayab Singh Saini called Shah an Iron Man as he will not stop until he achieves what he wants.

“This memorial will not just be a building. It will be a pilgrimage site of patriotism. Today we are paying tribute to those who gave their lives to free India from British rule on behalf of the nation,” he said.

Saini also added the Haryana government has completed 76 of the 217 promises they made and are working on completing the remaining 141.