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Lascar (Seamen) War Memorial

In May 1920 a memorial was conceived to be built on the banks of river Hooghly at Calcutta in the memory of the lndian seamen   (Lascars) who had died at sea serving on merchant ships during World War 1. lt was decided by the people of Calcutta to build the memorial column or obelisk in lndo- Mogul style visible to the ships sailing along river Hooghly.

The sourthern end of maidan in Kolkata, India was selected as the site for the memorial to be known as Lascar (Seaman) War Memorial. The the 100 feet high monument that was  built in typical Oriental style -  a four-sided column, having designs reflecting the prow of an ancient galley on each side of the column. The upper part of the monument consists of four small minarets and a large gilt dome. A typical Indian touch is imparted by adding wavy lines beneath the projected balcony. These   symbolize waves, along with chhajjas and trellises. The work on the memorial began in 1820 and completed in February, 1824. The memorial was unveiled on 06th February 1924 by the Governor of Bengat Lord Lytton at a grand ceremony.

Untill 1994 this memorial went into oblivion for reason unknown, During the 40th Anniversary of lNS Netaji Subash (earlier known as INS Hooghly) this memorial was adpoted by the lndian Navy under the aegis of Commodore B.K Mohanti, the Naval Officer - in - Charge, Calcutta.

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