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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.
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.
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Front view of
National Martyrs'
Memorial, Saver
Courtesy:
SR Rahul
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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.
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Side view
of
National Martyrs' Memorial, Saver |
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 cos t 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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