As India prepares to celebrate Independence Day 2026 on August 15, the country’s war memorials offer a glimpse into the history of its armed forces an…
1/101. National War Memorial, New Delhi | Spread across 40 acres near India Gate, the memorial features a central obelisk and four concentric circles representing immortality, bravery, sacrifice and protection. The names of thousands of Indian soldiers are inscribed on granite tablets, while the Amar Jawan Jyoti flame was shifted here from India Gate in 2022. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
2/102. Kargil War Memorial, Dras, Ladakh | Set against the Tololing Peak and the Dras Valley, this memorial honours the soldiers who fought in the 1999 Kargil War. It features the Captain Manoj Pandey Gallery, a war museum and an inscription of poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s famous lines at the entrance. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
3/103. Rezang La War Memorial, Chushul, Ladakh | Located at an altitude of around 16,000 feet, the memorial marks the site of the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 India-China war. The battle was led by Major Shaitan Singh and is remembered for the resistance put up by soldiers of the Kumaon Regiment. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
4/104. Longewala War Memorial, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | Located in the Thar Desert, this memorial commemorates the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. A small Indian post led by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri held its position against a much larger Pakistani armoured force, and a Vijayanta tank is preserved at the site. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
5/105. Vijay Stambh, Tanot Mata Temple, Rajasthan | Located near the Tanot Mata Temple, the Vijay Stambh commemorates India’s victory during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The site attracts visitors for both its military history and the Tanot Mata Temple, which is associated with several wartime stories. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
6/106. India Gate, New Delhi | Designed by Edwin Lutyens and inaugurated in 1931, the 42-metre sandstone arch commemorates Indian soldiers who died during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The Amar Jawan Jyoti burned at the site from 1972 until it was shifted to the National War Memorial in 2022. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
7/107. Teen Murti Memorial, New Delhi | Built in memory of cavalry personnel of the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, the memorial honours those who died during World War I in campaigns in the Middle East. Its three figures represent the Mysore, Jodhpur and Hyderabad Lancers. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
8/108. Kohima War Cemetery, Nagaland | Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this terraced cemetery commemorates soldiers who died during the 1944 Battle of Kohima in World War II. The cemetery’s famous epitaph begins with the words, “When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say”, and honours those who died during the battle. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
9/109. Vande Mataram Memorial, Bhuj, Gujarat | Spread across 12 acres, the Vande Mataram Memorial commemorates India’s journey from the Revolt of 1857 to Independence in 1947 through immersive exhibits and life-size installations. Its main museum building is modelled on the Parliament building, while the complex also features replicas of landmarks including India Gate. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
10/1010. Amar Jawan Jyoti, Jaipur, Rajasthan | Built near the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha, this memorial honours soldiers from the state who fought in the 1971 war. Built in pink sandstone on a black marble pedestal, it is known for its eternal flame and evening illumination. (Image: Shutterstock)
