National Martyrs’ Memorial
Jatiyo Smriti Soudho or National Martyrs’ Memorial is one of the most significant historic monuments in Bangladesh as it is the symbol of the valor and the sacrifice of the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. It tells and reminds all the sacrifices made by the martyrs that played the most vital roles to bring the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistani rule.
The monument is located in Savar, about 35 Kilometers north-west of Dhaka. Plans for the monument were initiated in 1972, right after the independence. Following the site selection, road and land development, a nation-wide design competition was held in June, 1978. Following evaluation of the 57 submissions, Syed Mainul Hossain’s design was chosen. The main structure and the artificial lake and other facilities were completed in 1982.
This Martyrs Memorial is a symbol of Bengali nationalism, patriotism and sacrifice. It occupies a land of 108 acres and offers real scenic beauty. The monument is composed of 7 isosceles triangular pyramid shaped structures, with the middle one being the tallest. The highest point of the monument is 150 feet. There is an artificial lake, and several mass graves in front of the main monument.
