Hutatma Chowk Square, which is located in the business center of southern Mumbai, was previously known as Flora Fountain Square - after the sculptural composition dedicated to the Roman goddess Flora, installed by the British in 1864.
The modern name Hutatma Chowk (Martyrs' Square) was given to this place after the events of January 1960, which changed the history of Bombay. 105 members of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti organization were killed by police during a peaceful demonstration. They demanded that a separate state be proclaimed for the Marathi-speaking residents of Bombay, which is what happened on May 1, 1960, when Bombay was divided into two states – Maharashtra and Gujarat.
On all sides, the square is surrounded by Victorian-style buildings constructed during the rule of the British Empire. If it were not for the noise and the dense flow of traffic moving in all directions, it would be easy to imagine yourself in the center of a small colonial oasis of the late 19th century. Flora Fountain in the center of the square adds a special touch to the overall picture.
Among the sights of Hutatma Chowk Square, one can note the Martyrs' Monument, erected in memory of the victims of the events of 1960, as well as a monument dedicated to Dadabhai Naoroji, a well-known Indian politician and public figure.
