The Shaheed Minar (English: Martyrs' Monument), formerly known as the Ochterlony Monument, is a monument in Kolkata that was erected in 1828 in memory of Major-general Sir David Ochterlony, commander of the British East India Company, to commemorate both his successful defense of Delhi against the Marathas in 1804 and the victory of the East India Company’s armed forces over the Gurkhas in the Anglo-Nepalese War, also known as the Gurkha War. The monument was designed by J.P. Parker and paid for from public funds.
On 9 August 1969, it was rededicated to the memory of the martyrs of the Indian freedom movement and renamed the "Shaheed Minar," which means "martyrs' monument" in both Bengali and Hindustani, by the then United Front Government in memory of the martyrs of the Indian independence movement<!--Is this second phrase "in memory of the martyrs of the Indian independence movement" really necessary? Earlier in the sentence we read "rededicated to the memory of the martyrs of the Indian freedom movement." If these are really the same thing, recommend deleting the second phrase. Also in that case, which phrase is better, "the Indian freedom movement" or "the Indian independence movement"?-->. The present government has decided to illuminate the tower during evenings and allow visitors to the top. The last people to have been up there were former governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi and his family.
Features
thumb|left|An old depiction of Shaheed Minar (visible at right)
Known as the "Cloud kissing Monument" by Mark Twain, the Shaheed Minar is located at Esplanade in Central Kolkata in the north-east facet of the Maidan. The tower is high. It has a foundation based on the Egyptian style. The column is a combination of styles with a classical fluted column, a Syrian upper portion, and a Turkish dome.
thumb|left|View of the Shaheed Minar Maidan
The monument was erected by Burn & Company.
Shaheed Minar Maidan
The vast field to the south of Shaheed Minar, is known as the Shaheed Minar Maidan or the Brigade Ground. It has a history of being the site of political rallies and fairs.