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National
Martyrs' Memorial situated at Savar,
about 35 km north-west of Dhaka,
symbolises the valour and sacrifice
of the martyrs who sacrificed their
lives for the liberation of Bangladesh.
A national competition was held
for the design of the project in
June 1978. Among the fifty-seven
competitors Architect Syed Moinul
Hossain's design proposal was selected. |
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The
main monument is composed of seven isosceles
triangular planes each varying in size
in its height and base. The highest one
has the smallest base while the broadest
base has the lowest height. The planes
are folded at the middle and placed one
after another. The highest point of the
structure reaches 150 feet. This unique
arrangement of the planes has created
a structure that seems to change its configuration
when viewed from different angles.
The architect has used concrete for the
monument while all the other structures
and pavements of the complex are made
of red bricks. Use of different materials
has added to the gravity of the monument.
The whole complex is spread over an area
of 34 hectares (84 acres) which is again
wrapped around by a green belt of 10 hectares
(24.7 acre). Several mass-graves and a
reflection water body are placed in front
of the monument. Once one enters the complex
through the main gate he or she can see
the monument axially but to reach it one
has to walk through different ups and
downs of pavements and cross an artificial
lake by a bridge-all these represent the
struggle for independence.
The project was constructed in three phases.
The first one, began in 1972, involved
in acquiring land and constructing road
for the project at a cost of Tk 26 lacs.
During the second phase, 1974 - 1982,
Tk 3.77 crores were spent in order to
build the mass-graves, helipad, parking
space, pavements etc. In the third phase,
began in August 1982, the main structure
was built apart from the artificial lake,
green belt, cafeteria, housing etc. The
third phase required Tk 848.65 lacs. The
Public Works Department of the Government
of Bangladesh supervised the construction
of the project. [Md Shahidul Amin and
M Zakiul Islam]
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