5 War Museums in India You Must Visit in 2024

We all have heard or read about the umpteen battles and wars that the Indian Army has fought over the years. The Indian defence force has a long and successful history, and the bravery of our soldiers is a stuff of legends that has inspired millions of minds. 

If you are fascinated by the Indian military heritage and keen to know about the courageous acts of soldiers and the tales behind the battles, it's time to visit some of the war museums in India. 

Let's get started on the best war museums in India you must definitely visit. 

Kurusura Submarine Museum, Vizag, Andhra Pradesh

If you have always fancied about entering a submarine, you would surely enjoy visiting this one of the unique military museums. The INS (Indian Navy Ship) Kurusura Submarine is a Soviet-built submarine inducted into the Indian Navy in December 1969. After 31 years of glorious service, it was decommissioned in February 2001.

This top-of-the-line submarine played a vital role during the 1971 war with Pakistan and helped the other armed forces fighting on land and air with patrolling missions. After decommissioning, the submarine is preserved as a museum and is open for public visits. It is located on Ramakrishna Beach in Vizag and gives you a chance to get inside a real submarine. 

As you walk through the different compartments within, you get an insight into the mariner's life inside the submarine and various naval equipment and war machines used during its service. A first-of-its-kind museum in Asia, this submarine still receives the navy's 'Dressing Ship' honour, which is awarded only to active naval ships.  

Museum timings – Tuesday to Saturday - 2 PM to 9 PM on

        Sunday - 10 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 9 PM 

        Monday - Closed

Jaisalmer War Museum, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

A brainchild of Lieutenant General Bobby Matthews, this museum is located on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway. One of the top Indian war memorial museums in India, it is also the much sought-after tourist spot in Jaisalmer and draws a large number of visitors every day. 

This army heritage museum is also commonly known by its acronym JWM, set up by the Indian Army to pay homage to the martyrs during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak (Pakistan) wars. It also pays tribute to the sacrifices and bravery of the Indian soldiers. 

The museum has many war trophies and equipment on display, along with tanks, military vehicles, arms and ammunition, and guns that the Indian Army actually used during the war. One of the highlights of the museum is the honour wall that has the names of the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra winners engraved on it. 

Museum timings – 9 AM to 6 PM

Air Force Museum, New Delhi

It is located at the Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi. The museum has two sections – the main hangar and the annex. In the Annexe section, you can see the pictures of the Indian Air Force displayed on the walls, reflecting its rich history and achievements through the years. 

Also, on the walls are pictures of top air force officers and other personnel in different uniforms who fought the 1966 and 1971 Indian-Pakistan wars and also the Second World War during the colonial era. As you move from the annexe section to the hangar section, you can see various vintage aircraft, jet engines, helicopters, and aircraft recovered from the enemy. 

If you are an aircraft enthusiast or a history buff, you would surely love visiting this Indian war memorial museum as it has the Lysander, Tempest and Hurricane used during the Second World War on display for the public. 

Museum timings – Wednesday to Sunday - 10 AM to 5 PM 

        Monday and Tuesday - Closed

Please note – Entry inside the museum is not allowed after 4.30 PM

Annandale Army Heritage Museum, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Tucked away quietly from the hustle and bustle of the city and the popular tourist spots in Shimla, the Army Heritage Museum is one of the best Military museums in India and for a good reason. Firstly, it is located at an elevation of 6117 feet above sea level. So, from the top, you get the most gorgeous view of Shimla's landscape. Secondly, it boasts a huge collection of modern and traditional military uniforms, armoury, flags, and weapons. 

On display, you can find collectables that are from 2500 B.C. and mementoes from the I971 India-Pakistan War and the Kargil War. While you visit this beautiful war memorial museum, make sure to go to the small cactus museum, which is in the same vicinity. 

Museum timings – Tuesday to Sunday - 10 AM to 2 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM

        Monday – Closed

Museum entry fees – Free  

Artillery Museum, Nashik, Maharashtra

One of Asia’s military museums, the Artillery Museum in Nashik, was opened to the Public in January 2005 by the Regiment of Artillery Association. It is home to many vintage and modern weapons, including the Bofors Gun, Wooden catapult, and the brass cannon of the Mughal era, which was used during the first Battle of Panipat fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodhi. 

Also on display are the 102-barrel gun used by Tipu Sultan and the artillery used by the East India Company. Other attractions at the museum are the weapons used during the World War and tanks used by the Indian Army during the India-Pakistan War of 1971. 

Apart from the guns, artillery, tanks, and other weapons, the museum also showcases many paintings and pictures of important historical events, making it one of India's best war memorials worth visiting. 

Museum timings – 10:30 AM to 7 PM (closed on all Thursdays)

So, there you have a list of amazing Indian war museums that still continue to celebrate the rich legacy of our defence personnel and the glorious battles that our soldiers have fought in our own land and overseas. Each of these museums has its own unique charm and opens your eyes to the Indian Army that you may not have seen or heard of. 

Plan a visit soon to one of these museums and just take pride in our own Army and its legacy!