India is known for its nationalistic sentiments and we have all felt goosebumps every time we sang the National Anthem in school. But what is it about certain places that time begins to stand still, the nation’s struggles come to the fore and our very soul begins t make sense? IT is because these places have an astounding history supporting them, the very foundations of our freedom. Let’s have a look at 7 of such destinations in India, which bring out the Indian inside each one of us!
- Jalianwala Bagh, Amritsar: It was a celebratory day of 1919, when thousands of peaceful revelers had gathered in the Jalianwala Garden in Amritsar. Piercing bullets by British troops were fired at these innocent people and ever since then, this memorial stands as a proof of human resilience and power. This 6.5 acre garden stands near the famed seat of Sikhism in India called the Golden Temple and is a definite visit for anyone who wants to get deeper into the struggles of the freedom we have today.
- India Gate, New Delhi: Originally called the All India War Memorial, India Gate is a memorial to 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian army who had lost their lives in the First world war and overall during a period of 1914 – 1921. It is constructed in the form of a triumphal arch and is situated in the heart of Delhi, with easy accessibility to tourists. An open space around it and plenty of street vendors and visitors makes this a must-visit for youngsters to delve into the history of India. Being in a capital, it is all the more necessary for people who come from far and wide to enjoy the grandeur of this historical monument.
- Nathu La Pass, Gangtok: Sikkim is a beautiful state, perched atop the north Eastern Himalayas and shares a border with China. It is at this border that Nathu La pass can be visited and China can be practically touched from here. Nathu La, which means “listening ears” in Tibetan language, is an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road which was an important trade route for many centuries. The rich economic history and Nathu La’s role in the Sino-Indian war of 1962 makes it an essential visit for anyone proud to be an Indian. Special permissions might be needed to visit it, but can be obtained easily through Sikkim Authorities to view this magnificent spot
- Wagah Border, Amritsar: Due to a rich historical legacy and sharing a border with Pakistan, Amritsar features again on this list owing to the importance of Wagah Border. This is probably the most famous border point we share with Pakistan and might be said for Pakistan in relation to India as well. Sumptuous dose of patriotism is experienced when you see the ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony that happens here. The flag hoisting and perfectly dressed soldiers here is definitely a sight to behold.
- Netaji Bhawan, Kolkata: Popular Indian nationalist and freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose often incites strong reactions from an Indian patriot. And it is not without reason, that his past residence, now a memorial, is a tourist spot known for its nationalistic sentiments. It is also a museum and contains the relics of Netaji’s footprints. A library and archival house is also built into the house and this is where Netaji escaped from house arrest and went on to organize the Indian National Army.
- Central Jail, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Although Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a reputation of being pristine beach islands, If you happen to be holidaying here, the Kaala Paani Jail, also called the Central Jail is a must visit. It is now a memorial, but was once used by Britishers to host prisoners fighting for Indian Freedom. A hospital was later constructed at the location and it is eerie enough to check the cells and Jail atmosphere out.
- Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad: Patriotic destinations without the mention of the Father of The Nation, Mahatma Gandhi is almost incomplete. Situated at the banks of the river Sabarmati, this Ashram is where Gandhiji began his famous Dandi March. It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smarak Sanghralaya, and has a library, a painting gallery, manuscript archive location and much more. There are guided tours one can take and get lost in the memories of famed events of Indian history.
