Jaisalmer War Museum

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.

History of the Museum
The idea of establishing the Jaisalmer War Museum was conceived by an Army Officer, Lieutenant General Bobby Mathews to showcase the military history of India, its wartime experiences and the sacrifices made by the Indian Army. Because Jaisalmer has a rich military tradition and has witnessed a number of historic battles in the past, the city was chosen to build the war museum. A flat barren piece of land in the Jaisalmer Military Station was finalized for the museum and under the guidance of Lieutenant General Bobby Mathews, the structure was constructed. In August 2015, Lieutenant General Ashok Singh, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command dedicated the Jaisalmer War Museum to the country.

Best Time To Visit:-
Jaisalmer War Museum is a remarkable attraction in Jaisalmer that evokes a spark of patriotism in every individual. This place welcomes the visitors across the year including the national holidays and festivals. No entry fee is charged from the visitors and the same applies to the car parking area as well. The museum premises have a cafeteria that serves delicious food and snacks.

How To Reach Jaisalmer War Museum
Jaisalmer War Museum is located near Jaisalmer Jodhpur Highway in Thaiyat, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. From the city centre, it is located about 13.5 kilometres to the north-east and there are two routes that lead to the museum (via NH 11 and via Ramgarh Bypass – NH 11). For outstation tourists, the Jaisalmer Bus Station is 11 kilometres away, the Jaisalmer is 10.5 kilometres away and the Jaisalmer Airport is about 20 kilometres away from the War Museum. They can commute by auto rickshaws, local buses, private cabs or government-operated cabs to reach the museum.