{{Short description|National memorial in Dhaka, Bangladesh}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox park | name = Suhrawardy Udyan | image = আমাদের লাল-সবুজের জাতীয় পতাকা, শিখা চিরন্তন, সোহরাওয়ার্দী উদ্যান, ঢাকা।.jpg | image_size = 250 | image_caption = Eternal Flame: a monument marks the spot in Suhrawardy Udyan, where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his historic 7th March Speech on 7 March 1971 | type = National memorial | location = Shahbagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh | coordinates = {{Coord|23.7331|90.3984|region:BD_type:landmark|display=title,inline}} | area = {{convert|68|acre|km2}} | created = | operator = | visitation_num = | status = Open all year }} thumb|Suhrawardy Udyan
'''Suhrawardy Udyan''' ({{langx|bn|সোহরাওয়ার্দী উদ্যান|Sōhrāōẏārdī Udyān|Suhrawardy Park}}) is a national memorial and public space located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Originally known as Ramna Race Course, it holds historical importance due to its association with key events in the country's history.
The site, covering an area of {{Convert|95|acre|km2}},<ref name="tbs9Jun2021">{{Cite news |last=Al Amin |first=Mehedi |date=9 June 2021 |title=Suhrawardy Udyan: From historic grounds to complete mess |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/suhrawardy-udyan-historic-grounds-complete-mess-258073 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref> is notably associated with two pivotal moments in Bangladeshi history: the historic speech by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 7 March 1971 calling for struggle against the Pakistani establishment and the surrender of the Pakistani forces on 16 December 1971, which marked the end of the Bangladesh War of Independence. In recognition of its historical significance, the area was renamed Suhrawardy Udyan in honour of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the 5th Prime Minister of Pakistan and a key figure in the early political history of East Pakistan (later Bangladesh). The space contains monuments and structures dedicated to the events of Bangladesh's liberation. Additionally, Suhrawardy Udyan hosts the annual Ekushey Book Fair, which is the largest book fair in the country, celebrating Bengali literature and culture.
== History == {{See also|Ramna Thana#History}}
=== 1700s to 1950s === Suhrawardy Udyan was originally built during the Mughal period in the 18th century as ''Bagh-e-Badshahi'' ({{Translation|King's Garden}} 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.<ref name="encdhaka2012">{{Cite book |last1=Mahmoud |first1=Firoj |title=Encyclopedia of Dhaka |publisher=Asiatic Society of Bangladesh |isbn=978-984-512-019-7 |editor-last=Ahmed |editor-first=Sharifuddin |location=Dhaka |publication-date=June 2012 |pages=398–399 |language=bn |script-title=bn:ঢাকা কোষ |script-chapter=bn:সোহরাওয়ার্দি উদ্যান |trans-chapter=Suhrawardy Udyan |editor-last2=Hasan |editor-first2=Delwar |editor-last3=Majlish |editor-first3=Najma Khan |editor-last4=Rabbani |editor-first4=AKM Golam}}</ref>
=== 1960s and 1970s: Liberation War events === [[File:An English Couple with Nabab Sir Salimullah at Ramna Race Course Field.jpg|thumb|Nawab Bahadur Sir Khwaja Salimullah at Ramna Racecourse (now Suhrawardy Udyan), early 20th century]]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 of the same year, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his historic speech at a large gathering. 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.<ref name="sadiq">{{Cite Banglapedia |article=Ramna Racecourse}}</ref> After independence,<ref name="bbc19May2021">{{Cite news |last=Islam |first=Sayedul |date=19 May 2021 |script-title=bn:রেসকোর্স থেকে সোহরাওয়ার্দী উদ্যান - যেভাবে ইতিহাসের সাক্ষী হয়েছে |trans-title=From the Race Course to Suhrawardy Udyan - How It Witnessed History |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-57164267 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=BBC Bangla |language=bn}}</ref> the ground's name was changed to Suhrawardy Udyan in honour of politician Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy,<ref name="encdhaka2012" /> a key figure in the early political history of Pakistan and Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite Banglapedia |article=Suhrawardy, Huseyn Shaheed |article-url=Suhrawardy, Huseyn Shaheed |author=Harun-or-Rashid}}</ref> On 17 March 1972, a massive public meeting was jointly addressed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Mujibur Rahman at this site.<ref name="sadiq" /><ref name="encdhaka2012" />
The original flag of Bangladesh was hoisted here for the second time after it was first unfurled at the University of Dhaka and the first time it was flown at such a large public gathering in Bangladesh.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
=== 1970s to present === In 1975,<ref name="bbc19May2021" /> 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.<ref name="encdhaka2012" /> In July 1998, construction began on the Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument), to be completed in three phases.<ref name="bss16Jan2018">{{Cite news |last=Pramanik |first=Shahidul |date=16 January 2018 |title=Govt undertakes project to give Swadhinata Stambha complete shape |url=https://wp.bssnews.net/?p=15252 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521193626/https://wp.bssnews.net/?p=15252 |archive-date=21 May 2024}}</ref>
== Landmarks and structures ==
=== Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) === {{Main|Swadhinata Stambha}} thumb|Independence Monument The Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) memorial is built on an area of {{Convert|67|acre|km2}}, designed to honour the fallen soldiers of the Independence War and includes murals depicting the history of the war and the struggle for freedom from 1948 to 1971.<ref name="ds4Jun2007">{{Cite news |last=Ghias |first=Durdana |date=4 June 2007 |title=Swadhinata Stambha: Design of glass tower yet to be finalised |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/06/04/d706042503133.htm |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |volume=5 |issue=1069}}</ref> The main attraction is a 150-foot glass tower.<ref name="bss16Jan2018" /> Additionally, the site features an underground theatre, the Museum of Independence, an amphitheatre, a display gallery, and a decorative fountain.<ref name="ds4Jun2007" />
=== Shikha Chirantan (Eternal Flame) === An eternal flame, officially called Shikha Chirantan ({{Langx|bn|শিখা চিরন্তন|links=no}}), 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Tawfique |date=2 April 2021 |title=Glass tower gets green light |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-180095 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2019 |script-title=bn:দেশপ্রেমে প্রোজ্জ্বল শিখা চিরন্তন |trans-title=The flame of patriotism is eternal |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/photo/bangladesh/photo-feature/1864 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=jagonews24.com |language=bn}}</ref> Annual Independence Day tributes are performed here on 26 March.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2014 |title=Nation pays tribute to martyrs to mark 44th Independence Day |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-others/58625/nation-pays-tribute-to-martyrs-to-mark-44th |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2015 |title=Nation celebrates 45th Independence Day |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/online/nation-celebrating-45th-independence-day-73901 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |agency=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha}}</ref>
== Activities == thumb|Ekushey Book Fair 2020 Since 2014, an annual month-long book fair, considered "the largest literary-cultural event of the country,"<ref name="fe28Feb2020">{{Cite news |last=Sarkar |first=Shihab |date=28 February 2020 |title=What makes Ekushey Book Fair a distinctive event |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/opinions/what-makes-ekushey-book-fair-a-distinctive-event-1582815590 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Financial Express (Bangladesh) |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sathi |first=Muktasree Chakma |date=31 January 2014 |title=Amar Ekushey Book Fair begins today |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-others/52212/amar-ekushey-book-fair-begins-today |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 January 2014 |title=Ekushey book fair will encompass Suhrawardi Udyan |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/ekushey-book-fair-will-encompass-suhrawardi-udyan-7721 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref name="fe28Feb2020" />
Suhrawardy Udyan hosted a fireworks display for Mujibur Rahman's 100th birth anniversary on 17 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hossain |first=Imran |date=17 March 2020 |title=Fireworks kick-off Mujib Year celebrations at Suhrawardy Udyan |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/204143/fireworks-kick-off-mujib-year-celebrations-at |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> It has also hosted events organised by Shilpakala Academy<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 February 2015 |title=More than book fair |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/more-book-fair-1830 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> and Ganojagoron Mancha, featuring artists like Artcell, Black, Powersurge, and Joy Shahriar.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 December 2014 |title=Concert for Freedom at Suhrawardy Udyan |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/concert-for-freedom-at-suhrawardy-udyan-55843 |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref>
On 12 April 2025, the venue hosted a large-scale demonstration titled the March for Gaza, organized to express solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict. It has been described as the largest pro-Palestine protest in the country's history.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-13 |script-title=bn:ঢাকায় উত্তাল জনসমুদ্র ফিলিস্তিনের প্রতি সংহতি |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/first-page/2025/04/13/1503609 |access-date=2025-05-06 |work=Kaler Kantho |language=bn}}</ref> Subsequently, on 3 May 2025, the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh held a grand rally at the same location. The event included demands for accountability concerning the Shapla Square massacre, the withdrawal of legal cases against the organization's leaders filed under the administration of Sheikh Hasina, and the dissolution of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:শরিয়াবিরোধী আইন প্রতিহতের ঘোষণা |url=https://dailyinqilab.com/national/article/758593 |access-date=2025-05-06 |work=Daily Inqilab |language=bn}}</ref>
== Management == The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs owns the ground, while the Ministry of Housing and Public Works owns the {{Convert|95|acre|km2|adj=on}} park. The Public Works Department stated that it only manages the park.<ref name="tbs9Jun2021" />
== Issues == In 2014<ref>{{Cite news |last=Islam |first=Udisa |date=5 April 2014 |title=Suhrawardy Udyan: A haven for the homeless |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-others/59931/suhrawardy-udyan-a-haven-for-the-homeless |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> 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.<ref name="tbs9Jun2021" /> Reports suggested that individuals were also engaged in the transportation, sale, and consumption of drugs within Suhrawardi Udyan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hossain |first=Md Esaraf |date=26 February 2018 |title=Suhrawardy Udyan den of drug addicts |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/291785 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Daily Sun (Bangladesh) |language=en}}</ref> 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,<ref name="tbs9Jun2021" /> although efforts have been made previously to conduct drives against drug peddlers and addicts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 July 2017 |title=26 arrested for 'taking drugs' |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/26-held-suhrawardy-udyan-taking-drugs-1429861 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2018 |title=103 druggies held at Suhrawardy Udyan |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/city/103-druggies-held-suhrawardy-udyan-1626214 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref>
Unlawful food stalls were discovered operating inside Suhrawardy Udyan, with reports of individuals extorting money for illegal electricity connections.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Islam |first=Tausiful |date=21 May 2024 |title=Suhrawardy Udyan now a den of makeshift shops, extortion |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=473386 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=The Daily Observer (Bangladesh)}}</ref> There were also reports of extortion under the guise of begging by transgender individuals, primarily targeting couples.<ref name="tbs9Jun2021" />
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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hasan |first=Rashidul |date=5 May 2021 |title=Suhrawardy Udyan being destroyed ! |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/551247 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Daily Sun (Bangladesh) |language=en}}</ref><ref name="tbs9Jun2021" />
==See also== * Ramna Park
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{commons category-inline|Suhrawardy Udyan}}
Category:Parks in Dhaka Category:Memorials to Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy Category:Treaty signing historic sites Category:Landmarks of Bangladesh Liberation War