(a) whether Government is aware that Ahmednagar Fort-Chand Bibi Quila was converted to a jail during 1942-45
where eminent freedom fighters were interned;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government proposes to declare it as a monument of historical importance; and
(d) if so, the steps taken in this regard ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE
(SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI)
(a)&(b) Yes, Sir. This fort was converted into a Jail during the freedom struggle (1942-45) where eminent freedom fighters
were interned.Some of the prominent national leaders imprisoned at this fort were :
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru(from 10 Aug.1942 to 28 March 1945);
Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 17 April 1945);
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 18 April 1945);
Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 28 March 1945);
Pandit Herekrishna Mehab (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 29 March 1945);
Acharya J.B. Kripalani (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 27 March 1945);
Acharya Narendra Dev (from 10 Aug. 1942 to28 March 1945);
Dr. Syed Mahmud (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 6 Oct. 1944);
Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 5 April 1945);
Mr. Saf Ali (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 3 April 1945);
Dr. P.C. Ghosh (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 20 May 1944);
Shri Shankar Rao Dev (from 10 Aug. 1942 to 18 April 1945).
(c)&(d) The fort is at present under the control and possession of the Ministry of Defence.There is no proposal, at present,
with the Government for declaring the Fort as monument of national importance.