Solan (Himachal Pradesh): Numerous freedom fighters had sacrificed their lives for Indian independence, while countless others were tortured in prisons by the British. One such British-era jail is situated in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district.
Dagshai cantonment, which is situated 15 kilometres from the tourist town of Kasauli, houses the Dagshai Central Jail, which is popularly known as Himachal's Kala Pani. The Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani, was a prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which was used by the British for torturing freedom fighters.
Dagshai village situated on a hill was gifted to the British by the Maharaja of Patiala. The British established it as their cantonment, and also built a Central Jail to imprison rebels. The British used the jail to imprison both Indian and Irish freedom fighters.
Today, the building has been converted into a museum.
What makes this prison special is the fact that Mahatma Gandhi and his assassin Nathuram Godse, both had come here. However, Gandhi did not come here as a prisoner. He came here in 1920 to visit the inmates and spent a day in the jail. A picture of Gandhi has been put outside the cell he stayed in.
Read: Mahatma Gandhi-Ajmer connection dates back to 1921
Gandhi's assassin Godse on the other hand, was the jail's last prisoner.
The Central Jail was constructed in 1849 at a cost of Rs 72, 875. The jail is built in a 'T' shape and has high ceilings and wooden flooring. This was done so that guards could hear all prisoner activities.
As soon as one enters the prison, it feels as if walking into the night from day due to the pitch darkness inside.
The jail has a total of 54 captive chambers, of which 16 were solitary confinement chambers. They were used to inflict harsh punishments. In these chambers, there was only enough place for a prisoner to stand. There was absolutely no space to move.
The gates of every prison in the cell have been made with strong iron, which cannot be cut without a weapon. The entire prison complex was built like a strong fortress - once the main gate is closed, there is no way in or out.
Read: Mahatma Gandhi's letter urged youth to join the freedom struggle
