Ambala, Nov. 5 -- Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated the state-of-the-art 1857 Shaheed Smarak (Martyrs' Memorial) in Ambala Cantonment, declaring that Ambala was the crucible of India's first war of independence and that the new memorial will serve as a lighthouse of patriotic inspiration for youth across the nation.

Addressing a public gathering at Gandhi Ground to mark Haryana State Foundation Day and celebrate the state's 60th anniversary, Shah highlighted Ambala's pivotal historical role and emphasised the uprising's impact.

"Ambala is the very ground where the freedom struggle of 1857 began on May 10th. This struggle shook the foundations of the British Empire. The revolution of 1857 was not just a rebellion, but...