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Freedom Trail Mumbai - August Kranti Maidan and its Surrounds

Quit India Movement August Kranti Maidan

Image source: The Wire

August Kranti Maidan Historic Image

8th August 2022, marked the 80th year of the Quit India Movement which was initiated at August Kranti Maidan, formally known as the Gowalia Tank Maidan. The Maidan was also the venue of the first Congress in 1885 and has several historic sites and structures of national importance in its surrounds. 

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Since Independence, August Kranti Maidan has been used as a recreational ground. However, in 1972, the Maidan was divided into 6 smaller sections, separated by fences including a children's play area, seating area for senior citizens and a section with the Gandhi Memorial Column which was erected in 1970. 

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Over the years, several encumbrances around the Maidan and the internal fences made the ground partially accessible. Further, only 60m out of the total 550m long periphery of the Maidan was visually accessible, among other issues which called for the restoration of the lost identity of the Maidan, an improvement in the visitor experience and upgradation of its physical infrastructure in the present day. 

Image source: The Print

Evolution of the Maidan

August Kranti Maidan Plan in 1960s

1960

In the 1960s, the Maidan was one large unified open space; Map sourced by BMC from archives department

August Kranti Maidan plan in 1972

1972

The Maidan was divided to create space for the Gandhi Memorial and Nana-Nani Park in 1972; Map sourced by BMC from archives department

August Kranti Maidan plan in 2021

2021

In 2021, when the proposal for the heritage conservation of August Kranti Maidan was being conceptualised, the Maidan was sub-divided into six parts - separated by fences; As per total station survey, 2021

Freedom Trail Mumbai

To recognise and reinstate the identity of several sites and structures of national historic significance which are located near the Maidan, the proposal for the heritage conservation of August Kranti Maidan evolved into a larger goal, which was the setting up of a 2.5 km long Freedom Trail Mumbai.

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These area development initiatives for the Maidan surrounds will be started after the restoration of the Maidan is completed including directional signage, information plaques and footpath markers which will all be used to describe the freedom movement.

Heritage Conservation of August Kranti Maidan

Existing situation analysis of the Maidan in 2021 brought forth several initiatives which could be taken up to improve the visitor experience of the Maidan. Under the Freedom Trail Mumbai initiative, the heritage conservation of the Maidan would focus on improving the visibility to the Maidan, increase its physical accessibility and unification of its sub-divisions. Creation of a permeable mud-macadam walking path along its periphery would allow visitors of all age groups to walk comfortably. All encumbrances around the periphery would be removed and the external fence and gates would be restored. 

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Read about the process in detail below:

Existing situation analysis 

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Reduced visual access due to parking along the Maidan periphery, August Kranti Road

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BEST canteen long the front boundary of the Maidan

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Sulabh Shauchalay along front boundary of the Maidan

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External fences broken and dilapidated conditon

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Internal fences create visual and physical barrier

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Existing children's play area in a state of despair

Aim

To restore a culturally and historically significant site of national importance, which was an important milestone in India’s freedom movement.

Objectives

  • To restore the identity of August Kranti Maidan;

  • To maximise visual and physical access to August Kranti Maidan;

  • To improve visitor experience through decluttering and footpath re-engineering in its surrounds.

Urban Design Interventions

Urban Design Interventions for Heritage Conservation of August Kranti Maidan
Discussions with various departments and higher officials of MCGM

Discussions with various departments and higher officials of MCGM

On-site discussions with AMC(ES)
On-site discussions with AMC(ES)

On-site discussions with AMC(ES)

The Proposal

The proposal was formulated after studying old CTS sheets and other official records and documents available. Before the execution process started on-site, several discussions were held with various departments and higher officials of MCGM. Considering the historic importance of the site, prior permissions and suggestions were also taken from the Archaeological Department and MHCC during the preparation of the proposal, plans, and site specific drawings. Issues and present-day needs of various visitors of the Maidan were deliberated upon by the UCM team, senior officials and D-Ward. Preparation of site-specific drawings, plans and design details was done after the analysis of the existing situation of the Maidan and its surrounds through a comprehensive total station survey.

Proposal for the heritage conservation of August Kranti Maidan

Aerial visualisation of the Maidan 

Ongoing works

The proposal under Heritage Conservation of August Kranti Maidan is currently in progress including the unification of the different parts of the Maidan, restoration of the peripheral fence and gates, upgradation of the children's play area and the heritage basalt stone works. 

Gallery of ongoing site progress:

Publications

In the Media

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