Shaheedan da Khu


Shaheedan da Khu or Kalianwala Khu is a well near Ajnala in northwestern India. The bodies of Indian soldiers killed during the Sepoy mutiny of 1857 were disposed of here, over 60 of which were recovered in 2014.

Disposal and recovery of bodies

During the 1857 Sepoy mutiny, many Indian soldiers revolted against the British. Around 500 revolted at Mian Mir Cantonment in Lahore. They swam across the Ravi River to reach the town of Ajnala, now in Amritsar district. Of them, 218 were killed by British soldiers at Dadian Sofian village near Ajnala. The remaining 282 were stuffed in a small room, where many died of asphyxiation. The rest were shot dead and their bodies were thrown into a well, which was later named "Kalianwala Khu" and "Shaheedan da Khu".
In February 2014, the remains of 22 of the soldiers were dug out from the well. The incident came to light after it was reported in major newspapers. On further digging on 1 March 2014, 40 more bodies were recovered.

Gallery