Baba Augharh Nath Temple (Kali Paltan Mandir) The Temple situated in Meerut Cantt. area is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is said that for the first time the spark of First War for Independent India, 1857 took place here and then it raged into a flame. Soldiers of the Kali Paltan, a part of “British Army” often comes to quench their thirst from the well in the Temple premises. It was the taunting by the chief priest of the temple on the use of disputed cartridges sealed by Cow fat that instigated the soldiers to a violent reaction and which fall out of that spark was the revolt against British rule on 10th of May, 1857. Shahid Smarak and Government Freedom Struggle Museum, Meerut The Shahid Smarak Meerut is devoted to Martyrs of India and specially associated with the First War for Freedom of India 1857. It is situated on Delhi road, about 6km. North-East from the city Railway Station and at a distance of about 200 meters from Delhi Bus Station (Bhaisaii). The compounds of Shahid Smarak are well decorated, lush and green, with a Shahid Stambh in the premises which is devoted to the Martyred Freedom Fighters. In the compound of Shahid Smarak Government First Freedom Struggle 1857 Museum is also situated. The Museum consists of collects, preserves, documents and exhibits cultural property of glorious past depicting important episode of the war of independence 1857 through paintings, relief and dioramas. The museum consists of two main Galleries: Gallery 1 and Gallery 2. Gallery 1 exhibits events of Meerut from 1857. Here it displays the story from the arrival of a Fakir (saint) an important leader in the struggle who incited people and Indian Soldiers to rise and revolt against foe British Rule. Along with gallery also exhibits and displays major events. Some of them as- Soldiers refusing to use disputed cartridges on 18th of April 1857, Shooting of Col. Finish, Soldiers requesting Bahadur Shah Zafar to take command of the upsurge of 1857 and Rani Laxmi Bai in battle etc. Meerut-Sardhana Gallery 2 is also worth visiting to discover our glorious past and realize and feel the endeavor and passion of martyrs of First War of Independence of India 1857 through paintings, relief etc. Painting of Rani Laxmi Bai (icon of female power in the India psyche) Sati Chaura Ghat (Kanpur), Lucknow Residency, Sikander Bagh and other important centers of events of 1857. Mausoleum of Shahpir (Shahpir Ka Makbara) It is a holy structure made of red stone near about 17th century A.D. well known as Makbara (Mausoleum) of Sufi Sant Shahpir. It is a center of deep faith for devotees who visit here in huge number round the year and during holy ceremony (Urs) to offer prayers and get blessings Victoria Park This site has its own importance in First War of Freedom of India 1857. Imprisonment of 875 soldiers in the Jail, situated here at that time, as a punishment for refusing to use disputed cartridge, instigated the soldiers, which resulted in rode and doors of jail were broken up on 10th of May, 1857 by soldiers of 3rd native cavalry to release there 85 imprisoned Heroes. The zealous freedom fighters attacked the British settlement located near by the jail and killed many of them and then all marched off to Delhi (Dilli Challo). Gandhi BaghThis centrally located garden has a very beautiful and serene environment. Locally known as “Company Garden”, this is situated here from before independence. Later on it got renamed to its current name. Here on every evening a musical fountain show is being organized. The park also houses a small water storage chamber and motor which is noted to have been removed from The Red Fort in Delhi and erected here. Earlier, the garden used to have multiple entrance gates which were always kept open and no entry fees was imposed. But now, only one entrance gate is kept open and a ticketing system with nominal charges has been imposed. Sardhana Situated 22 KMs. toward West of Meerut in District Meerut. It is a fascinating town with historical past. It was established during 18th Century by the French adventurer Walter Reinhardt, popularly known as “Sanira”. He came to India in 1754 as a private soldiers from the French East India Company. The Jagir of the present day Sardhana was awarded to him by Najub Rohilla Chief Zabta Khan of Saharanpur for his services. After his death in 1778 he was succeeded by his widow, Begum Yohana Samru, who built the imposing Roman Catholic Church Shrine at Sardhana. The magnificent church now known as “Shrine-Basilica of our lady of Graces” was built by Farzana Begum, the princess of Sardhana. The work began in the year 1809 and was completed in 1822. It costs more than four Lac Rupees at that time and it has been declared a protected monument by Archaeological survey of India in 1924 and raised to the status of Basilica in 1961. Shri Mahdev Temple at Gujran Gate and Samru Mahel are also some of the important tourist places worth visiting in Sardhana.
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