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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{coord|15|30|0|N|73|49|34|E|display=title}}
{{infobox military memorial
|name=Azad Maidan Monument
|body=[[india]]
|image=Azad Meidan Monument.jpg
|caption=A photo of the monument
|commemorates=[[Annexation of Goa]]
|use_dates=
|coordinates=
|location=[[Goa]], [[Panaji]], India
|nearest_town=
|designer=
|inscription=
|established=
|unveiled= 23 March 1973
|unknowns=
|commemorated=
|source=
}}
'''Azad Maidan''' is a martyrs' monument and ground in the [[India]]n state of [[Panaji]], [[Goa]]. It is located opposite the [[Goa Police]] headquarters on the [[Mahatma Gandhi]] Road, Panaji. It is located at {{Coord|15|30|0|N|73|49|34|E}}.<ref name=tourist>{{cite web|title=Azad maidan|url=http://www.touristlink.com/india/ga-azad-maidan/overview.html|publisher=Tourist Link|accessdate=5 July 2013}}</ref>

==History==
Originally built as a square, it was known as the ''Praça de Sete Janelas'' (''Square of the Seven Windows''). The name was derived from the iconic [[Goa Police]] headquarters building, which has seven windows each to its either ends and the entrance. The building originally had a ground floor and three sets of seven windows each on the first floor.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtZ4_irUPp0</ref> In 1843, a statue of the legendary Portuguese general [[Afonso de Albuquerque]] was laid inside the domed structure at the ''Maidan''. It is said that the iron beams and granite pillars for the monuments were brought from the Convent of S. Domingos, [[Velha Goa]]. The pillars and columns for the dome came from the College of St. Thomas Aquinas, located on a hillock of Conceição. After Albuquerque's statue was installed, the square came to be known as ''Praça Afonso de Albuquerque''.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtZ4_irUPp0</ref>

==Post liberation==
After the [[liberation of Goa|Annexation of Goa]], the statue of Albuquerque was removed from the domed pedestal by a mob of Marathi immigrants in the city.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtZ4_irUPp0</ref> Albuquerque's statue was transferred to the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] Museum at [[Old Goa]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.goa-tourism.com/GTDC-holidays/see-museum-archaeological-museum-of-goa.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223125651/https://www.goa-tourism.com/GTDC-holidays/see-museum-archaeological-museum-of-goa.htm |archive-date=23 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goaholidayhomes.com/information/the-azad-maidan.html|title=The Azad Maidan in Panjim Goa, Azad Maidan the monument dedicated to those who fought to liberate Goa from the Portuguese}}</ref> A brass urn containing the mortal remains of [[Tristão de Bragança Cunha]] was subsequently installed in its place.<ref>http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Panjim/Memorial-for-freedom-fighters-is-resting-place-for-beggars-and-stray-dogs/89809.html</ref>

===Martyrs' Memorial===
A martyrs' memorial was built at the ''Maidan'' by the Freedom Fighters' Association with public donations, in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the [[Goa liberation movement]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/martyrs-memorial-an-icon-of-the-resistance-and-brotherhood/|title = Martyrs' Memorial – an icon of the resistance and brotherhood|date = 17 June 2016}}</ref> The memorial is a tall structure with a crest displaying a forum-armed structure. The four-armed structure has a pyramid between and atop these arms. The four-armed structure acknowledges the participation of freedom fighters from the four corners of India in the [[Goa liberation movement]], while the pyramid structure indicates ashes, indicating the sacrifice of these freedom fighters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/panaji-a-city-honours-remembers-its-past/|title = Panaji – A City Honours & Remembers itItsast|date = 18 November 2016}}</ref> The memorial was unveiled on 23 March 1973 by [[Lieutenant general]] [[Kunhiraman Palat Candeth]], who had led the [[Indian Armed Forces]]' [[annexation of Goa]] in December 1961.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/martyrs-memorial-an-icon-of-the-resistance-and-brotherhood/|title = Martyrs' Memorial – an icon of the resistance and brotherhood|date = 17 June 2016}}</ref> A stanza composed by the poet [[Balakrishna Bhagwant Borkar]] has been etched on the memorial as follows:

''धन्य लोहिया, धन्य भूमी ही''
''धन्य तिचे पुत्र''
''धन्य तयाचा त्याग देखते ''
''जनतेचे नेत्र''
which translated as ''Fortunate are the eyes, which saw the sacrifices of its brave sons, brave [[Lohia|Ram Manohar Lohia]] for its lands''.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtZ4_irUPp0</ref> On the either side of this monument are two rectangular pillars which display the name of 67 freedom fighters of the [[Goa liberation movement]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/martyrs-memorial-an-icon-of-the-resistance-and-brotherhood/|title = Martyrs' Memorial – an icon of the resistance and brotherhood|date = 17 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/panaji-a-city-honours-remembers-its-past/|title = Panaji – A City Honours & Remembers itItsast|date = 18 November 2016}}</ref>

Every year on national days, dignitaries pay homage by laying a wreath at the memorial and observing silence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/new-generation-needs-to-know-about-freedom-struggle-governor/|title = New generation needs to know about freedom struggle: Governor|date = 19 June 2015}}</ref><ref>http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Martyrs-Day-on-Jan-30/84113.html</ref>

==The ''Maidan'' today==
In the modern times, the ''Maidan'' has become a melting pot for the Goans, where different opinions were voiced and issues discussed openly.<ref name=parrikar>{{cite web|title=Panjim Promenade - Azad Maidan|url=http://www.parrikar.com/blog/2011/04/12/panjim-promenade-azad-maidan/|publisher=Parrikar.com|accessdate=5 July 2013|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130705154405/http://www.parrikar.com/blog/2011/04/12/panjim-promenade-azad-maidan/|archive-date=2013-07-05|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=best>{{cite web|title=Azad Maidan |url=http://www.bestgoadeals.com/Azad-Maidan.html |publisher=Best Goa Deals |accessdate=5 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527023506/http://www.bestgoadeals.com/Azad-Maidan.html |archivedate=27 May 2013 }}</ref>

The grounds are used for holding meetings and protests.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/protest-in-panaji-over-halting-of-mining-in-goa/article4309246.ece|title = Protest in Panaji over halting of mining in Goa}}</ref><ref>http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Protest-by-retrenched-workers-at-Azad-Maidan-is-a-drama-Tawadkar/103829.html</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://digitalgoa.com/demonstration-held-at-azad-maidan-to-protest-demonitisation/|title = Demonstration held at Azad Maidan to protest demonitisation|date = 28 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/the-wanton-destruction-of-panajis-iconic-azad-maidan/articleshow/56547599.cms | title=The wanton destruction of Panaji's iconic Azad Maidan | date=15 January 2017 | newspaper=The Times of India | accessdate=19 December 2018 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Panaji]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Panaji]]
[[Category:Martyrs' monuments and memorials]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Goa]]

Azad Maidan (monument) - Revision history

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