Located at Indora Bridge 10 on Kamptee Road in Nagpur, India, the Namantar Shahid Smarak (Name Change Martyrdom Memorial) is a poignant monument dedicated to the sacrifice and valour of Dalit martyrs. You will find this 2,225-square-meter site at the historic location where child protestor Avinash Dongre and four others lost their lives during the Namantar Andolan, a 16-year movement fought to rename Marathwada University in honor of scholar and civil rights pioneer Dr. B.
R. Ambedkar. Erected by the city government and designed by sculptor Uday Gajbhiye, the memorial honors the 27 individuals who died during these civil rights protests.
When you visit, you can see a striking collection of 27 sculptures representing Bhim Sainiks (Soldiers of Bhim) in the act of their struggle, along with 27 individual name plaques and a homage monolith. Beyond the powerful central artwork, your visit offers an opportunity to learn deeper history at the nearby library, which houses educational materials detailing the movement's long journey. You can also explore the adjacent mini-theater, built to host community discussions and reflective plays about this crucial chapter in India's social justice history.
What to see at Namantar Shahid Smarak
- 27 sculptures depicting Bhim Sainiks in the act of their historic struggle
- 27 individual plaques honoring each martyr of the movement
- A commemorative monolith built to pay homage to those who lost their lives
- An on-site library featuring historical materials about the Namantar Andolan
- An adjacent mini-theater hosting educational plays and discussions
Visiting tips
Explore the on-site library and mini-theater to gain a deeper context of the historical materials and discussions surrounding the Namantar Andolan movement.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Buddha Jayanti
How to get there & what’s nearby
Namantar Shahid Smarak is easy to reach on Nagpur’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Nagpur Central Museum and Masjid Ghareeb Nawaz. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Nagpur travel guide.
See the full Nagpur travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.