# Delhi Ridge’s 1857 battle sites mark independence story 2026-08-14T18:12:17+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Delhi's Ridge, now a quiet green stretch near Delhi University, was a crucial British military position during the 1857 mutiny. Historian Swapna Liddle told PTI that the Flagstaff Tower served as a signal point, while Hindu Rao's house and Chauburji Mosque were used as batteries. The British also used Pir Ghaib, a 14th-century observatory built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, as their command headquarters, historian Sohail Hashmi said. Local lore says Khooni Jheel, a water-filled depression, turned red from the violence. The Mutiny Memorial, built in 1863, commemorates British soldiers killed in the conflict. Ecologist Ekta Khurana said the Ridge's flora was altered when the British introduced fast-growing invasive species to create quick greenery around their Civil Lines settlements. ## Coverage - rediff.com Tags: 1857 Revolt, Delhi Ridge Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/delhi-ridges-1857-battle-sites-mark-independence-story/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/delhi-ridges-1857-battle-sites-mark-independence-story/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.