"The reminiscences of 1872,would be incomplete without some reference to what I can only describe as the massacre of Malerkotla, for my part I can recall nothing during my service in India more revolting and shocking than these executions" -
Henry Cotton in "Indian and home memories"

It was on 17/18 January 1872 that 66 Kukas (followers of Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji), including a child, were blown up with canons during the British rule, the sacrifice unparalleled in the history of country's freedom struggle. They were agitating against cow slaughter.

The memorial pillar symbolises the life of the 66 kuka martyrs who were blown off with cannons , without a trial and many without even their names recorded. The memorial KHANDA has 22 holes on each side representing the 66 cannon balls fired, as the  martyrs sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Namdhari Sikhs fight for freedom and against cow slaughter