Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Martyrs' Memorial of the First War of Independence of 1857 in Ambala, Haryana, on Thursday, and called the events of 1857 a freedom struggle rather than a revolt.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Minister Manohar Lal were present.
What Shah said
Shah said revolutionaries sounded "the bugle of armed revolution against British rule" at Ambala on 10 May 1857, and that the uprising spread from there. He said some historians described 1857 as a mere revolt; it may have been that for the British, he said, but for Indians it was a freedom struggle, citing Veer Savarkar.
He said countless martyrs sacrificed everything during the 90 years from 1857 to 1947, and named Nana Saheb Peshwa, Rani Lakshmibai, Tatya Tope and Begum Hazrat Mahal among the fighters of 1857. He said a country that does not honour its martyrs cannot truly value its freedom, and that the Ambala memorial would inspire young people.
The release carries the minister's remarks. The characterisation of historians and of the 1857 events is his own view, attributed here to him. The release does not give the memorial's cost or design.
Source: official release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (05 NOV 2026 7:35PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates Martyrs’ Memorial of First War of Independence of 1857 in Ambala, Haryana.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2333270) issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 05 NOV 2026 7:35PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates Martyrs’ Memorial of First War of Independence of 1857 in Ambala, Haryana — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
