Background

Rayer Bazar Bodhyo Bhumi: A Memorial to Intellectuals

Reflect on the sacrifices made for Bangladesh's independence at this poignant memorial honoring the intellectuals martyred in 1971, a place of remembrance and learning.

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Rayer Bazar Bodhyo Bhumi, or the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial, stands as a solemn tribute to the intellectuals who were brutally murdered during the 1971 Liberation War. This memorial in Dhaka commemorates the immense sacrifices made by Bangladesh's brightest minds and the nation's struggle for independence.

A brief summary to Rayer Bazar Bodhyo Bhumi

  • Q925+637, Sadarghat - Gabtoli Rd, Dhaka, Hazaribag, BD
  • Monday 7 am-8 pm
  • Tuesday 7 am-8 pm
  • Wednesday 7 am-8 pm
  • Thursday 7 am-8 pm
  • Friday 7 am-8 pm
  • Saturday 7 am-8 pm
  • Sunday 7 am-8 pm

Local tips

  • Maintain a respectful demeanor while visiting the memorial, as it is a place of solemn remembrance.
  • Take the time to read the plaques and information available at the site to gain a deeper understanding of its historical significance.
  • Dress modestly and comfortably, appropriate for visiting a cultural and historical site.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Gabtoli Bus Terminal, take a direct bus towards Sadarghat. Alight near the Rayer Bazar Beribadh area. From there, it's a short walk or rickshaw ride to the memorial. Bus fare typically ranges from 10-30 BDT. Be mindful of traffic conditions, especially during peak hours.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From Mohammadpur bus stand, a taxi or ride-sharing service (Uber/Pathao) to Rayer Bazar Bodhyo Bhumi will take approximately 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay around 150-250 BDT. Be sure to negotiate the fare beforehand with CNG auto-rickshaws.

  • Walking

    If you are already in the Rayer Bazar area, orient yourself towards Beribadh road. From there, it's a 10-15 minute walk to the memorial. Look for signs indicating the direction of 'Shaheed Buddhijibi Smriti Soudho' (Martyred Intellectuals Memorial).

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Discover more about Rayer Bazar Bodhyo Bhumi

Rayer Bazar Bodhyo Bhumi is a place of profound historical significance in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It stands as a solemn memorial to the intellectuals who were brutally murdered during the final days of the 1971 Liberation War. These individuals, including professors, journalists, doctors, artists, engineers, and writers, were targeted for their potential to contribute to the newly independent nation, a loss that deeply impacted Bangladesh's future. The memorial marks the location where the bodies of many martyred intellectuals were discovered after the war. The killings took place primarily on December 14, 1971, just days before Bangladesh achieved its hard-won victory. The Pakistani army and their local collaborators, Al-Badr and Al-Shams, systematically rounded up, tortured, and executed these intellectuals in a deliberate attempt to cripple the nascent nation. The architectural design, completed in 1999 by Fariduddin Ahmed and Jami-al-Shafi, is both striking and symbolic. The main structure is a broken, curved brick wall, representing the depth of sorrow and the incompleteness caused by the loss. A square window in the southwestern wall offers a view of the sky, symbolizing hope and the enduring spirit of the Bangladeshi people. In front of the wall, a still reservoir reflects the somber atmosphere, with a black granite column rising from the water, representing eternal grief. The site is carefully landscaped to create a serene environment conducive to reflection and remembrance. A banyan tree, planted near the entrance, symbolizes the original banyan tree at the nearby Physical Education College, where the intellectuals were initially tortured before being brought to the Rayer Bazar brickfield. The memorial serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for Bangladesh's independence and the importance of preserving intellectual freedom. Rayer Bazar itself has a history stretching back to the Mughal period when it was known as Kumartoli, a hub for pottery due to the abundance of red clay. The potters of Rayer Bazar have a long tradition of working with this clay. The events of 1971 transformed it into a site of remembrance and reflection.

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