Nana Rao Park

Nana Rao Park, Kanpur
Type	Urban park
Location	Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Operated by	Kanpur Nagar Mahapalika
Status	Open all year

Nana Rao Park / Company Bagh (Hindi: नाना राव पार्क / कम्पनी बाग़, कानपुर ) is an public city park in Kanpur city, the industrial hub of Uttar Pradesh in North India. It was earlier known as Memorial Well and commemorated the British women and children who had been massacred in a building on the site and their bodies dumped into a well in the grounds during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

History

Use before 1857

Bibighar massacre (1857)

Further information: Siege of Cawnpore and Indian rebellion of 1857

The park is of immense historical significance as the location of the massacre of around 200 British women and children by the Nana Sahib's forces in the 1857 Indian rebellion. The women and children had surrendered to Nana Sahib, after receiving his oath that they would be allowed to leave Kanpur (then Cawnpore) safely. The bodies were then dumped down a nearby well.^[1] Due to the massacre the area within sight of the well was used for punitive actions by British soldiers of the East India Company.

Memorial Well (1858 to 1947)

Originally the park was first called Memorial Well after the memorial which was subsequently raised to commemorate the dead. The memorial had a large railing, a marble gothic screen with "mournful seraph" and a cross at the site of the well. The inhabitants of Cawnpore were forced to pay £30,000 for the creation of the memorial; this was partially their punishment for not coming to the aid of the women and children.^[2]

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  Bibigurh house where European women and children were killed and the well where their bodies were found, 1858.

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  The memorial. Albumen silver print by Samuel Bourne, 1860.

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  A view across the park to the memorial. Samuel Bourne, 1860.

Post Indian independence in 1947

After Indian independence in 1947 the marble gothic screen was transferred to the churchyard of the All Souls Memorial Church, the rest of the memorial was crushed. The remains of a circular ridge of the well can still be seen in the park today.

Nana Rao Park today

Importance

The park is well maintained and is a favorite haunt of many fitness groups. Presently, the park is one of the favorite Kanpur parks frequented by early morning and evening visitors.

For many people in Kanpur, the park serves as an outdoor location for the start of a healthy day. this includes brisk walking, jogging, swimming, badminton and yoga.

Location

The park is located in the central area of Kanpur District and is close to Phool Bagh, LIC Building.

Statues

The park is replete with statues of eminent people who played a part in the Indian independence struggle. The statues include those of Tatya Tope, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Lala Lajpat Rai, Ajizan Bai.

Flora

A plant nursery is located inside the park.

Fauna

Nana Rao Park is a favorite resting place for many types of local birds and bats.

Attractions

• Boodhha Bargad, (Hindi: बूढ़ा बरगद, कानपुर ) an old banyan tree, with great historical significance to Indian Independence struggle, is located in the park ground.
• There is a traditional vyayamshala inside the park
• There is a public swimming pool.

Maintenance and sponsors

• The park currently is under the charge of Kanpur Nagar Mahapalika and is well maintained.

References

1. ^ English, Barbara (February 1994). "The Kanpur Massacres in India in the Revolt of 1857". Past and Present 142: 169–178. doi:10.1093/past/142.1.169. 
2. ^ "Angel of Cawnpore". http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armycampaigns/indiancampaigns/mutiny/cawnporewell6.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-11. 

Coordinates: 26°28′16″N 80°21′39″E / 26.471044°N 80.360935°E / 26.471044; 80.360935