RAJSHAHI, Jun 06: The teachers, officials and students of the Rajshahi University (RU) had a vital role in 1971. During the liberation war, the university lost a number of its teachers, students, and officials.
That's why, the authority set up a museum and also several monuments at different parts of the campus to pay tribute and recall contribution of these martyrs in the liberation war.
Contribution of the family members of RU in the independent war began from the massive movement in 1969 to protest the illegal and unlawful tyranny of the Pakistani government the students of this university became furious.
Shahid Dr Shamsuzzoha is a name of first martyr of the country who laid down his life on February 18, 1969, to save the students when the police force took preparation to shoot at the procession of the students.
Then Pakistani law-enforcing agency killed him in front of university main gate. He was buried in front of RU main administrative building.
RU authority established Shahid Smriti Sangrahashala in 1972 which is the first museum of the country on the liberation war.
Rare mementos used in war by the freedom fighters including arms, clothes, and documents are on display in the Shahid Smriti Sangrahashala.
Besides preserved are about thousands of skeleton of martyred freedom fighters who lost their lives in the greater Rajshahi district during the war.
Sabash Bangladesh is the most attractive monument on liberation war which stands on the university campus.
Eminent artist Nitun Khundu had designed Sabash Bangladesh in1976 that situated on right side of the university Senate building .
After liberation war, in 1972 an eye-catching Shahid Minar was built beside the Shahid Smriti Sangrahashala. The first Shahid Minar was demolished by the Pakistani army on April 14, 1971, in front of Shahidullah Arts building.
Another memorial establishment is Shahid Smriti Sthombo-71 that was built on university mass graveyard at the east side of the campus.
After independence, April 23, 72 mass graves were discovered which is the largest in the country.
The area of which measures more than three acres.
Later in 2003 university authorities built a mass graveyard monument to pay respect to the martyrs on the east side of the campus.
Besides, the authority set up another monument 'Bidhargo' in front of the Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall premises on August 2011.
Lastly, in commemoration of the Shahid Dr. Shamsuzzoha`s contribution 'Zoha Chattar' built centering the grave of Dr. Shamsuzzoha in front of the RU administration building.
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