 Merdeka Square, Kota Bharu
Merdeka Square, Kota Bharu (1 January, 2007)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Merdeka Square is an open public area in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Also known as the Independence Field, it was the site where the independence of Malaya was declared on 31 August, 1957.
The site of Merdeka Square was a reclaimed land. It was originally the site of a floating market in the 19th century. When Sultan Muhammad II built the Grand Palace of Kota Bharu in 1844, the area was reclaimed. It was then called Padang Kelupang.
For a short period at the turn of the 20th century, it was also known as Padang Pitis, in reference to the Bank Pitis which was built by Sultan Muhammad III.
At the centre of Merdeka Square is a Kota Bharu Cenotaph, built by the British following World War I. It continued to be used as the war monument.
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