The Flagstaff Tower, New Delhi, Delhi India

Built in 1857, the flagstaff tower is the highest point of the North Delhi (Kamla Nehru) Ridge and was a focal point of the mutiny of 1857. In this 150 foot high tower, the residents of the Delhi cantonment, many being women and children, gathered in stifling heat, to make a stand during the ‘Indian Mutiny’ of 1857.

Location: on the highest point Kamla Nehru Ridge (Northern Ridge) on the main Magazine Road. It can also be reached from the Flagstaff Road. For a small trek through Delhi’s landscapes, try Northern Ridge, in the winters. Throw in exploration of some of the sites of 1857 which played out in this area, and it is a day well spent. Our heritage walk in Northern Ridge traces a route connecting a few landmarks of 1857 in the Kamla Nehru Northern Ridge. We start at Delhi University Vice Chancellor’s office, which is a notable example of colonial building style. It used to be the Vice Regal Lodge when the new city of Delhi was under construction. One piece of gossip about this building is that it was in the Registrar’s office here that Lord Mountbatten (last Viceroy of India) proposed to Edwina. To complete the triangle & the irony, we now have a bust of Nehru looking wistfully towards the building.

The Flagstaff Tower is not a stand alone as there is a Mutiny Memorial too in the vicinity of the Tower. The Northern Ridge was a hot area earlier that led to the death of a large number of the British Indian soldiers at the time of the Sepoy Mutiny. The rebellion had the British their families pack off and flee to Karnal. They were escorted under a heavy security.

It is stated that the revolt between British soldiers and the Indian mutineers lasted over a month and the revolutionaries were made to concede defeat after a fierce battle with the British troops. The Flagstaff Tower puts up an attraction to the bird gazers as the birds and the monkeys perch on the crest of the building.

The building resembles a mini fort and its spiral staircase takes the viewers to the roof which doubles up as a watch tower that is octagonal in shape.
Once an impressive tower is in a deteriorating state at present.

Tourists can reach this monument by either driving their private vehicles or by traveling through local buses from various points within the city, which is located in Civil Lines. The visitors can also hire auto-rickshaws and radio-taxis. The visitors can also reach the venue by the Delhi Metro Trains.

The Flagstaff Tower remains opened on all days from sunrise to sunset.  The bird watchers may like to come here in the early morning and enjoy the birds of different varieties and the monkeys perching on the crest and others are free to visit the monument at any point in time. There is no Entry Fee as the mini fort is open to everyone. Photo shoot of the Flagstaff Tower would not be a bad experience as it is the relic of the First War of India’s Independence, 1857.