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.