Jaisalmer War Museum was established in the military station in order to honour the soldiers of the ‘Battle of Longewala’ that was fought in the year 1971. It embraces the bravery and sacrifices of the Indian Army. It was inaugurated and opened for public viewing on 24 August 2015. It took place on the day of Golden Jubilee commemoration of the India-Pakistan war in 1965. The museum popularly known as JWM, houses two information display halls, an audio-visual room and a souvenir shop. It also has an Honour wall that has engraved the names of gallantry award winners of the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. Along with tanks, guns and military vehicles, the display has a repertoire of trophies and vintage equipment.
The place also includes murals of soldiers who lost their lives during the war and the weapons used for the same. The audio-visual room screens the movie about the battle in which Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, a recipient of Maha Vir Chakra gives a detailed account of the soldiers who fought the war. Located 2 hours away from Jaisalmer, on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, the memorial is a salute to Indian Army.
At a distance of 11 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station and 12 km from Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer War Museum is situated at Military Station on the Jaisalmer – Jodhpur Highway. This unique war museum is surely a must visit place for all Indian and foreigner tourists coming to Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer War Museum was set up by the Indian Army in 2015 and was inaugurated on 24th August by Lieutenant General Ashok Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Command. The inauguration of the Museum in the Golden Jubilee Commemoration Year of 1965 Indo Pak War is also a tribute to all soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice.
The museum covers an area of over 10 acres of land. It has two large Information Display Halls, an Audio Visual Room and a souvenir shop. Apart from the evolution of the Indian Army, the museum showcases tales of bravery and sacrifice of heroes of the wars. War trophies and vintage equipment are on display along with tanks, guns and military vehicles. The museum has murals of soldiers who lost their lives in the war and weapons used at that time. The Indian Air Force has also contributed in the museum by presenting a hunter aircraft, which was used during the Battle for Longewala during the 1971 Indo Pak War.
The Museum is organized by the Indian Army. The entry to the Jaisalmer War Museum is open to and free for all visitors.
About Jaisalmer War Museum
The Jaisalmer War Museum, popularly known as JWM is a memorable establishment dedicated to the war heroes of our nation. The Museum was ideated under Lieutenant General Bobby Mathews and developed by the Indian Army’s Dessert Corps. It is a memorial to exhibit the immense strength and richness of Indian soldiers, their glorious contributions and brave sacrifices in times of war.
Jaisalmer specifically was chosen for the development of the museum as it is among the few places that suffered a long stretch of wars and battles including the Battle of Longewala in 1971. The museum holds a number of collections from the wars and was corroborated and opened for people in the year 2015, the golden jubilee of India-Pakistan War. The museum includes equipment, armor, vehicles and more.
The Jaisalmer Museum has also dedicated a prestigious wall for all Param Vir and Maha Vir Chakra holders. It is also segregated into an Audio Visual room, Indian Army Hall and the Laungewale Hall. A souvenir shop and cafe are yet another part of the Museum. Major exhibits at the museum include a Hunter Aircraft that contributed tremendously to destroying the enemy tank in the battle of Longewala. There are also displays of Indian Armies strategies during the India Pakistan War in 1971 in the museum.
History of Jaisalmer War Museum
It was Lieutenant General Bobby Mathews who conceived the idea of creating a Museum as a tribute for the war heroes of the Longewala Battle in 1971. The notion was furnished into what we know now as the Jaisalmer War Museum by the Indian military’s Desert Corps. The museum was constructed particularly in Jaisalmer’s desert land because of the fact that it is one of the most war-affected regions of India. Apart from the Battle of Longewala, the army civilization and culture in this area is quite extravagant and hence, Jaisalmer certainly deserved an honor like this.
Although the museum was created and furnished under Lieutenant General Bobby Matheus, it was Lieutenant General Ashok Singh who finally opened the gates of the museum for the general population of the country and beyond. The museum holds a number of equipment, weapons, vehicles among other displays that truly exhibit the glory of India’s greatest war heroes.
Exhibit at the Museum
There are a number of exhibits and displays at the Jaisalmer War Museum that clearly allow the visitors to encapsulate the distinctions of our war heroes. One of the major attractions of the place is the display of the Hunger aircraft that was successfully able to take down enemy tanks in the war against Pakistan. The two display rooms Laungewale Hall and Military hall showcase images of various skills and tactics used by the great militants to win over a number of battles.
The Audiovisual room also dictates a number of stories about India’s war heroes and their esteem contributions. Fighter jets, guns, various weapons and equipment used by the military are also a part of the display at the museum.
How to Reach Jaisalmer War Museum
The museum is found in Thaiyat, close to the Jaisalmer- Jodhpur highway. Localities can take the NH11 route to reach Jaisalmer War Museum. It is about 13.5 km and can take up to an hour.
From Airport: If you are flying, Jaisalmer airport is about 20 km from the museum and there are a number of transportation options including bus and taxi service available at the airport for the museum. If you are taking the bus, the closest one to the museum is 11 km, you can get down there and take a taxi or use other local transportation services to reach there.
Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer War Museum
The best time to enjoy the Jaisalmer War Museum is between the months of April and August. Although, during this time the temperature can really rise, exploring places like the War Museum is an excellent option to seek.
If you want to visit the museum and enjoy other activities here then the best time to visit is between November and March which is the winter season at Jaisalmer.
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