Indian War Memorial Museum

This Indian War Memorial Museum was set up as a tribute to the soldiers who had participated in the World Wars in India and abroad on behalf of the British. Naubat Khana or Naqqar Khana (musical house) of the Red Fort was chosen to accommodate the museum in its first and second floors. The museum is approachable from the north and south of the building facing east.

The introductory gallery comprises a diorama showing the battle of Panipat with the army of Babur and Ibrahim Lodi standing opposite each other. The other displayed objects are arrows, swords, khukris, revolvers, machine guns, shells, etc. A variety of daggers with ivory and inscribed hilt, chest armour, small weapons like gupti, and battle axes are also exhibited in the gallery. Helmets, armours, different types of swords, daggers, etc. are displayed in Gallery No. 2 and 3. Bomb fuses, shells, models of pistols, bullets, and gun powder flasks on display give a vivid picture of the arms and ammunition used during the First World War.

The last two galleries show the impact of European industrialization over the weapons and communication since radars, telephones, telegraph, signal lamps, guns with periscope, trench periscope, etc. were introduced during the war. Various types of badges, ribbons, uniforms of Turkish and New Zealand army officers, and flags are also put on display. Models of an army transport cart and railway goods track of Baghdad Arab port and Basra dockyard exhibited in the museum attract the attention of the visitors. Another attraction of the gallery is the complete dress of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, His Highness Pratap Singh, including his kurta (long shirt), belt, trousers, turban with zari work, shoes and inscribed sword with sheath.