Boddho Bhumi, RU

The Rajshahi University massacre site is a terrible reminder of the brutal killing of freedom-loving Bengalis by the Pakistani occupying forces and their allies. During the 1971 Liberation War, Rajshahi University was a conscious educational institution. Many of the students, teachers and staff here actively participated in the Liberation War. But many of these heroes had to pay the price of their lives. They were brutally killed and buried here, which is why this pillar has been built.

With the help of the Pakistani army and the Razakars, many innocent teachers, students and local people were captured and brutally killed in a secluded place of the university. Originally, the place adjacent to the Kajla Gate of the university was the stage for a horrific murder. They were shot blindfolded in the dark of night. This place was later identified as the 'killing ground'. This closed ground is located at the very end of Rajshahi University. You can reach this killing ground by walking from Rajshahi University. A huge cement signboard has been installed in front of the closed ground by the authorities because it was renovated and rebuilt a few years ago.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs of Bangladesh and the Department of Public Works were responsible for implementing it. It was inaugurated by Professor Md. Rezaul Karim. After we went there, we saw that the place was completely deserted and there were many flower gardens around. To enter inside, you must take off your shoes. It is just a respectful process. You have to leave your shoes outside to respect those who died for the country. I think they deserve this respect. So we all took off our shoes and entered there and slowly climbed the stairs.

You won't be able to appreciate much if you don't want to know about history. You need to know about the history of Bangladesh first, especially the history of the 1971 war. There you can see the stairs and on the left side you can see the garden of mistakes, but there is a signboard that clearly says Please do not sit on the altar. This means that the boundary around the monument is not allowed to sit there.

In this massacre, the renowned professor of the university, Dr. Shamsujoha, who sacrificed his life to save the lives of the students, was martyred. He was the first martyred teacher, whose sacrifice further strengthened the spirit of the Liberation War. Since this incident, a deep shadow of grief has fallen in the history of Rajshahi University. In addition, many others were martyred there, and this memorial has been built in tribute to their martyrs, which is made entirely of bricks. Here, a pillar has been built so perfectly with bricks that it is a living witness to history, and a circle has been created around it.

After independence, the massacre was converted into a memorial and a plaque was installed here in memory of the martyrs. This place still reminds the new generation how independence came and how much blood and sacrifice is hidden behind it. It has been gradually updated with the evolution of time and this pillar is kept clean and tidy by the government to highlight the history of Bangladesh. It is currently considered a small tourist center because there is a huge central garden next to it where there are different types of flowers and fruit trees. We went there and tried to delve into the history. It is an adventurous place for those who love history. We saw different types of flowers and strange trees there.

Red flowers in the flower garden
Strange tree next to the slaughterhouse

Since we went to Rajshahi University, we went to see this massacre on the advice of a student there. It helped us to know the history of Bangladesh. This massacre is a living monument bearing witness to our history. Let us pledge not to forget this history by respecting the spirit of the Liberation War and the martyrs. That is why we could not forget every brick there. Basically, where innocent people were killed and buried, a pillar has been built by building large bricks. This is that historical brick pillar. Those who love history can come here to see the place.

People were buried here after being killed

I have set a 10% beneficiary to @steem-atlas for supporting this project.