On the Indo-Pakistan borders of Punjab is Hussainiwala, 11 km away from Ferozepur. Apart from the fact that travellers can watch the retreat of guards of the armed forces of the two nations, Hussainiwala is also the site where three of India’s most famous freedom fighters were cremated – Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar.
Singh, Rajguru and Thapar are three of the most common faces of the revolutionary road of the Indian freedom movement. Singh along with Sukhdev and Thapar were responsible for the assassination of police officer John Saunders in 1928 after Lala Lajpat Rai died. Later Singh together with Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb into the Central Assembly Hall in Delhi in 1929. After being captured Singh went on a 116 days fast demanding equal rights for both British and Indian political prisoners. After a hasty trial on the Lahore Conspiracy Case by a special tribunal all three of them were given the death sentence which was carried out at the Lahore Jail in 1931. The three were hanged a day earlier than the scheduled date, their bodies was sneaked out from the back wall of the jail as bringing them out through the main entrances would put the officials into throes of national fervour in the city of Lahore.
After the death sentence was carried out, the three bodies were brought to Hussainiwala on the banks for River Sutlej, and cremated. This is where the National Martyr’s Memorial has been set up to commemorate the lives of three of India’s most dynamic freedom fighters. Dutt, Singh’s ally in the bombing of the Central Assembly hall died in 1965 and he had requested that he too be cremated at Hussainiwala. It is said that till 1962 the site was under Pakistan occupation, who did little to raise interest. India got back this land in return for 12 villages near Sulemanki.
Apart from this, Hussainiwala and Firozpur have played an important role throughout the course of India’s history. The other nearby attractions include Anglo-Sikh War Memorial, Barki Memorial, Sargarhi Memorial, Harike Wetland, Indo-Pak border.
How to reach there
By Air: Closest airports are at Amritsar and Ludhiana. SpiceJet, Indian Airlines and Jet Airways service these routes from Delhi.
By Rail: Ferozepur is well connected to important railway stations in India. The main station here being Ferozepur Cant.
By Road: Hussainiwala is 11 km away from Firozpur. Cars and taxis are easily available. The distance between Amritsar and Ferozepur is 116 km; Jalandhar- Ferozepur is 125 km; Ludhiana-Ferozepur is 130 km; and Chandigarh-Ferozepur is 222 km and can easily be covered by road.
Where to stay
Being close to important cities of Punjab ie, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh, accommodation can be looked at these cities.
