Amazing Himachal: War Memorial park, Dharamshala

War Memorial park, Dharamshala

The War Memorial Park is located at Lower Dharamshala, near Kaccheri Adda. The park is surrounded by lush green pine trees and beautiful landscaping. The park is dedicated to honour the Himachal Pradesh (Himachali) Martyrs who fell while defending India, during aggressions by Pakistan in 1947-48, by China in 1962, by Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, and during some peace operations under United Nations auspices.

Three curved walls in black marble bearing the inscribed name of martyrs on five of their faces and mural on the sixth, are its main feature. The mural symbolizes the ever burning flame of national freedom.

There is also the model of INS Vikrant (R 11). INS Vikrant was a Majestic -class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy . The name Vikrant was derived from the Sanskrit word vikrānta meaning "stepping beyond", "courageous" or "bold".The ship was laid down as HMS Hercules for the British Royal Navy during World War II, but construction was put on hold when the war ended. India purchased the incomplete carrier in 1957, and construction was completed in 1961. Vikrant was commissioned as the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy and played a key role in enforcing the naval blockade of East Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 . INS Vikrant was formally decommissioned on 31 January 1997.

General Zorawar Singh Statue

General Zorawar Singh was born on 13 April 1786 in a Rajput family in Kahloor village of Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh. He is an icon of the Indian Military revival that took place in 1840. General Zorawar Singh led a 15,000 strong force of Dogra soldiers and conquered Ladakh and Baltistan and penetrated 700 kilometers into Tibet, beyond Mansrovar lake. Zorawar Singh indeed was a Military genius his spectacular assaults, crossing of Indus river, his bold spoiling attacks and raids, all mark him out as a superb tactician, he was a military genius who combined in his person superb skills, both as a proponent of manoeuvre warfare and as a logistician par excellence. His extraordinary Military exploits in extreme high altitude that he was ranked as one of the great captains of warfare. He is thus called the "Little Nepolean of India".

In May 1841, he ventured into western Tibet with just 5,000 soldiers. This is the most inhospitable region where the winter temperature goes down to minus 40 degree Centigrades. The proudest achievement of this expedition was the capture of Chinese flag by 4 Jak Rif in the battle of Purang on 30 May 1841. (The one and only captured Chinese flag with Indian army today)

Eventually, on 12 December 1841, in the battle of To-Yo near Mansrover lake General Zorawar Singh, one of the greatest warriors laid his life fighting heroically in the battle field.

The GNAT was a compact, swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft. Max Speed: 1,120 kilometers/hour at 20,000 feet, Range: 800 kilometers. The GNAT was designed by W.E.W. Petter and it first flew in 1955. It was a light fighter aircraft developed for Royal Air Force. It was extensively flown by Indian Air Force. It took part in Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971. It was so successful against Sabre aircraft of Pakistan that it got the nickname "Sabre Slayer" GNAT. Pilot Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was posthumously honoured with the Param Vir Chakra (The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime), becoming the only Indian Air Force personnel to be given the award. GNAT served in the Indian Air Force from 1958 to 1991.

The 25 Pounder Artillery Gun introduced in British army in 1939, the Indian Artillery got this gun in 1941. Since than it has been the main gun of field branch artillery with a range up to 13,400 yards. It can fire a wide range of ammunition and is robust in handling. It was been most effective in all the wars so far fought by Indo-artillery since World War-II.