Vellore :

As the Fort City wakes up on Thursday morning to pay homage to the 350-plus soldiers who had sacrificed their lives to launch the ‘First War of Independence’ against the British imperialism in 1806 exactly on this day, the city would also remember the promise made by the State to establish a war memorial for the martyrs.

While the Tamil Nadu government had taken steps to release a commemorative postal stamp on the  revolt, when it came to the recording of Indian history, the revolt  had neither been recognised nor documented properly, they said.

According to Madras-based historian S Muthiah, most of the 1,500-strong Indian garrison at the Fort took part in the uprising. More than 100 of the 350 European soldiers on garrison duty were killed and by mid-morning the rebels had taken over the Fort.

A massacre ensued, with more than 350 of the rebels killed and as many injured before the British finally re-captured the Fort.

Social activist Chandrasekaran said, the Tipu and Hyder Mahals inside the fort and the tunnel in the Jalakanteswar temple must be renovated and thrown open to visitors. A sound and light show of the revolt could also be displayed for the visitors, to promote tourism.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by V. Narayana Murthi / July 10th, 2014