Indian War Memorial Museum, housed in the historical
Red Fort, of New Delhi, pays a whole-hearted veneration, in
the golden memory of those outstanding warriors of India. These
courageous soldiers were the pride of the nation, since they
sacrificed their lives in the scourges of the devastating World
war. They defended the nation, although they were subject to
the British Empire ruling India at that pre-independence era.
History recounts, that they had participated in the war , in
their own motherland and abroad. The first and second stories
of Naubat Kahana or Naqqar Khana i.e. the Musical House, of
the Red Fort was initially selected as the site for the Indian
War Memorial Museum. One can access the east-turned building
, both from the north and the south. The awesome panorama, featuring
the landmark battle of history, namely the First Battle of Panipat,
fought among the efficient army of Babur, and the enormous troops
of Ibrahim Lodi, posited opposite to each other, is available
in the entrance gallery.
The other exhibits include arrows, swords, khukris,
revolvers, machine guns, shells etc., or the different types
of arms and ammunitions, used in war. A mind-blowing diversity
of daggers with ivory and hilt with regal inscription, chest
armour, small weapons like gupti, battle-axes are visible in
the gallery. Helmets, armours, various kinds of swords, daggers
etc are on demonstration in Gallery No. 2 and 3. Bomb fuses,
shells, models of pistols, bullets, gun powder flasks , well-exhibited
, speak volumes for the range of weapons , in vogue, during
the First World War.
The penultimate two galleries focus how the
Western European industrialization revolutionized the pattern
of weapons and modes of communication, related to wars, in India.
It recalls the advent of radars, telephone, telegraph, signal
lamps, guns with periscope, trench periscope during the war-emergency.
The plethora of badges, ribbons, uniform of Turkish and New
Zealand army officers, and flags , present as objects of view
, enrich our historical consciousness. Examples of army transport
cart and railway goods track, model of Baghdad Arab port and
Basra dockyard, discernible in the museum stun the visitors,
with wonder.
The resplendence of the complete costume of
Maharaja Jodhpur, called the honourable, Pratap Singh , dazzles
the viewer, with its splendor. It comprises of kurta (long shirt),
belt, trouser, turban with zari work, shoes and the authority-
coded sword with sheath. The Indian War Memorial Museum, New
Delhi, welcomes visitors on any day, except Fridays. It remains
open from 10a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Indian War Memorial Museum, New Delhi, marvelously
respects the indelible impression of courage, left by the brave
warriors of India.
