The Afghanistan War Memorial was constructed in 1842 to commemorate the sacrifice of the soldiers who lost their lives in the first Anglo-Afghan war, which was fought between the European Indian Company (EIC) and the Afghans between 1838 and 1841. It is situated near the Ordnance Factory gates in Dum Dum on Jessore Road, Dum Dum. The monument is constructed in the form of a tower-shaped white structure, resembling the Octernole Monument at the northeast corner of Maidan; however, there is no balcony or staircase leading to the top of the monument. The top of the monument features a striking design featuring a lightning bolt. 2nd British afghan war 1878 fought and British invaded Afghanistan.
Introduction
![The Afghanistan War Memorial](https://www.travelhistoricaltourism.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1-1-1024x536.png)
The Afghanistan War Memorial
Historical Context of the Afghan War Memorial
The tower of the Afghan War Memorial stands near the gate of the DumDum Ordnance Factory, which was the second arms factory in the country. It was built in 1846 after the British had lost the war in Afghanistan, so the British East India Company decided to open the first factory to make ammunition in India. Built in 1942, the huge white memorial the Afghan War Memorial honors the British soldiers who died in the first war between the two countries.
According to local folklore, the sound of the testing guns was the source of the name “Dum Dum”. However, historians dispute this notion, as the origin of the name can be traced back further than the Ordnance Factory itself. According to the Persian word “dumduma”, which translates to mound, Dum Dum does indeed have a mound. The most notable feature near the Ordnance Factory is the mysterious “Clive House”, which is believed to be the oldest structure in the Kolkata area. The Ordnance Factory is situated on Jossore Road, and the Afghanistan War Memorial can be seen from the gate of the Factory. A right-hand turn from the Factory Road leads to the Monument Road, where a few steps lead to the Afghanistan War Memorial.
The First Anglo-Afghan War, commonly referred to as Auckland’s Folly, was a conflict between the Kingdom of British India and the Republic of Afghanistan that marked the start of a rivalry for influence and power in Central Asia and would later become known as the Great Game. An army of 21,000 men, led by Sir John Keane, left the Punjab in December 1838 and arrived in Quetta by the end of March 1839. On April 18, 1839, the British captured Kandahar, the Fort of Ghazni, and parts of Kabul. In 1841, the Afghans attacked as the British retreated to Peshawar, resulting in a defeat due to the cost of the occupation and the weather. The lack of ammunition was the primary cause of the defeat. The British lost almost 20,000 men in this war. In November 1841, the 1st Horse Artillery of the British India Army, led by General George Pollock, fought a heroic battle at Jalalabad in Afghanistan. After a disastrous campaign, the surviving forces erected a memorial in memory of their dead comrades at Dum Dum, known as the Afghan War Memorial, in 1842.
![A piece of timeline of modern Indian history](https://www.travelhistoricaltourism.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2-3-1024x536.png)
A piece of timeline of modern Indian history
The Memorial Tower
What is more strange is that there is a monument at the side of the road in DumDum. the Afghan War Memorial is in the shape of a white tower and looks a bit like the Octernoly Monument. It is located near the entrance of the Dum Dum Ordnance Factory. It commemorates the fallen British soldiers in the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–42). The Octernoly Monument is located in the northeast corner of Kolkata Maidan. The base of the column is lessening square, with memorial plaques on the two sides originally. A third plaque was added after restoration. The base of the column has a simple round shape with grooves at its base and top. The top section has a decorative finish with honeycomb grooves.
Significance and Importance
Due to the fact that Calcutta was the capital of the East India Company, the decision to build the Afghan War Memorial a monument to the fallen British officers was made. It should be noted that although the troops consisted of approximately 20,000 indigenous sepoys, they do not find a place in the memorial. Only the names of Englishmen are inscribed on the memorial plaques surrounding the memorial column.
The Afghanistan War Memorial right next door to another iconic building, the Ordnance Factory in Dum Dum. At the time the memorial was built, the factory wasn’t around, and it wasn’t until 1846 that it came into being. The factory was built to provide a constant supply of ammunition, which the British forces lacked most. The troops couldn’t break through the walls of the Ghazni Fort because they didn’t have enough cannons, and the ones they did have weren’t very effective. It was an accident that one of the citadel’s weak points was attacked.
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So, in a sense, it was more of an encouragement for the British to set up the Ordnance Factory in India, right next to the newly built Afghanistan War Memorial.
![Another Monument](https://www.travelhistoricaltourism.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/3-2-1024x536.png)
Another Monument
Restoration and Preservation
In 1842, the British erected the Afghan War Memorial in Dum Dum to honor the soldiers who had lost their lives in the war. This war memorial is located in the area now known as Ordinance Board Factory, the factory famous for the manufacture of dum dum bullets. The Memorial’s base and a large building in front of it. On the right shows the Kabul Memorial, which is still standing today in a small, unassuming corner of the Factory, almost forgotten and very close to the busy road. These are in good condition after restoration.
Visiting the Memorial
You can see the monument(the Afghan War Memorial) from the road, but the main gate is always locked. To get in, you’ll need to get permission from the Ordnance Factory first. Send them an application that explains why you’re visiting, and they’ll get back to you. You’ll be notified when you have the go-ahead. The Afghan War Memorial reminds you the specific timeline of modern Indian history.
![lightning bolt](https://www.travelhistoricaltourism.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4-2-1024x536.png)
lightning bolt
Conclusion
Many people have forgotten the Afghan War Memorial. This memorial is well maintained. According to me, a different Kolkata city tour guide’s heritage walk should cover this noteworthy place. The first Afghan war and the defeat of the British army are proof of the East India Company’s aggressive state expansion planning in India and Asia, not just trade. Afghanistan was used by England as a reserve state to safeguard all routes to British India against a Russian incursion. British apprehensions regarding Russian influence in Afghanistan gave rise to the First (1838–1842) and second (1878–1880) invasions of Afghanistan. I can assume British East India Company didin’t come to this part of the Asia only for trade they want to established the British Empire also its same as what were the areas of conflict between the Bengal Nawabs and the east India Company. Lastly, I can suggest the West Bengal Tourism Corporation (WBTDC) should introduce a heritage hotel like ‘Surestay Heritage Walk by Best Western Amritsar’ because of its heritage location as well as its proximity to Kolkata International Airport. The state will generate a good amount of revenue from tourism.
Encore Audio Visual of The Afghan War Memorial
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