Suhrawardy Udyan

Suhrawardy Udyan (সোহরাওয়ার্দী উদ্যান) is a national memorial and public space located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Originally known as Ramna Race Course, it holds significant historical importance due to its association with key events in the country's history.

The site, covering an area of 95 acre, is notably associated with two pivotal moments in Bangladeshi history: the historic speech by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 7 March 1971 calling for struggle, and the surrender of the Pakistani forces on 16 December 1971, which marked the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War. In recognition of its historical significance, the area was renamed Suhrawardy Udyan in honour of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, a key figure in the early political history of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The space contains monuments and structures dedicated to the events of Bangladesh's liberation. Additionally, Suhrawardy Udyan hosts the annual Ekushey Book Fair, the largest book fair in the country, celebrating Bengali literature and culture.



1700s to 1950s
Suhrawardy Udyan was originally built during the Mughal period in the 18th century as Bagh-e-Badshahi ( in Persian) in the Ramna area. During British rule, it hosted a military club for English soldiers called Ramna Gymkhana and a horse-racing track known as Ramna Racecourse. On 21 March 1948, the Governor-General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, delivered a speech here to a large crowd.

1960s and 1970s: Liberation war events
Suhrawardy Udyan was a significant venue for events related to the liberation of Bangladesh. On 23 February 1969, a civic reception was held here to honour Sheikh Mujibur Rahman upon his release from jail after sedition charges. During this event, he was bestowed with the title "Bangabandhu" (lit. 'Friend of Bengal').

On 3 January 1971, the Awami League politicians organised a massive public meeting, where they vowed not to betray the Bengali people's cause. On 7 March the same year, Mujibur Rahman delivered his historic speech at a large gathering, effectively declaring independence. On the 27th, the Pakistani army demolished the Ramna Kali Temple, located beside the grounds, during the Ramna massacre. Eventually, they formally surrendered at this location on 16 December, now celebrated as Victory Day. After independence, the ground's name was changed to Suhrawardy Udyan in honour of politician Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, a key figure in the early political history of Pakistan and Bangladesh. On 17 March 1972, a massive public meeting was jointly addressed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Mujibur Rahman at this site.

The original flag of Bangladesh was hoisted here for the second time since it was first unfurled at the University of Dhaka and the first time it was flown at such a large public gathering in Bangladesh.

1970s to present
In 1975, a children's park was built on one-third of Suhrawardy Udyan's area. On 7 March 1996, an eternal flame (Shikha Chirantan) was inaugurated to commemorate the Liberation War. In July 1998, construction began on the Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument), to be completed in three phases.

Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument)
The Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) memorial is built on an area of 67 acre, designed to honour the fallen soldiers of the Liberation War and includes murals depicting the history of the war and the struggle for freedom from 1948 to 1971. The main attraction is a 150-foot glass tower. Additionally, the site features an underground theatre, the Museum of Independence, an amphitheatre, a display gallery, and a decorative fountain.

Shikha Chirantan (Eternal Flame)
An eternal flame, officially called Shikha Chirantan (শিখা চিরন্তন), was initiated in 1996 to mark the spot where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his historic 7 March speech. On the same day of 1997, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially lit the flame in the presence of three world leaders: South African leader Nelson Mandela, Turkish politician Süleyman Demirel, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Annual Independence Day tributes are performed here on 26 March.

Activities
Since 2014, an annual month-long book fair, considered "the largest literary-cultural event of the country," has been held in Suhrawardy Udyan alongside the Bangla Academy grounds. Titled the Amor Ekushey Grontho Mela (book fair), the fair is dedicated to the protesters who died during the Bengali language movement. It began as a week-long fair on the premises of Bangla Academy in the early 1970s.

Suhrawardy Udyan hosted a fireworks display for Mujibur Rahman's 100th birth anniversary on 17 March 2020. It has also hosted events organised by Shilpakala Academy and Ganojagoron Mancha, featuring artists like Artcell, Black, Powersurge, and Joy Shahriar.

Management
The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs owns the grounds, while the Ministry of Housing and Public Works owns the 95 acre park. The Public Works Department stated that it only manages the park.

Issues
In 2014 and 2021, Suhrawardy Udyan has been described as an encampment of homeless people. Approximately 200 homeless people, including women and children, spend the night within the park. Reports suggested that individuals were also engaged in the transportation, sale, and consumption of drugs within Suhrawardi Udyan. In 2021, Mehedi Al Amin of The Business Standard found that the open-air theatre at the centre of the grounds, intended for concerts and public amusement programmes, was overrun by drug abusers, even in the presence of policemen, although efforts have been made previously to conduct drives against drug peddlers and addicts.

Unlawful food stalls were discovered operating inside Suhrawardy Udyan, with reports of individals extorting money for illegal electricity connections. There were also reports of extortion under the guise of begging by transgender individuals, primarily targeting couples.

The grounds were also subjected to widespread tree felling in May 2021 as part of beautification projects, sparking extensive protests from environmentalists and the public. The High Court intervened, issuing an order to halt the activities.