At the intersection of TB Cunha Road and MG Road, lies the landmark of Freedom Park, popularly known as Azad Maidan. Situated opposite Panaji Police Headquarters, it is a relatively small park but holds historical significance. In the mid 19th century, the Portuguese installed a statue of their famed general Afonso de Albuquerque. However, after liberation of Goa, it was moved to Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery, next to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Old Goa. Azad Maidan now hosts two monuments to commemorate Goan freedom struggle.
Tristao de Braganza Cunha or TB Cunha, as his name is abbreviated to, is widely considered as the father of Goan Liberation Movement. In 1946 CE at Margao, he invited Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia to address a massive public gathering that kick-started the freedom struggle in Goa. For this act, he was tried by the Portuguese military tribunal, deported to Portugal and sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment. Upon his return to Mumbai, TB Cunha resumed his work. Unfortunately, he could not see the fruits of his labour as he died in 1958, three years before Goa became free. One of the monuments at Azad Maidan contains the mortal remains of this Goan hero. The same ground also hosts another tall monument to commemorate the martyrs of Goan freedom struggle.
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