A Visit to Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi a must-see war history enthusiasts,exhibit displays the evolution of arms and ammunition,
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
A Visit to Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi a must-see war history enthusiasts,exhibit displays the evolution of arms and ammunition,
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak
RAWALPINDI:The entrance of the Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi is decorated with a statue of sepoy Khudad Khan, aVictoria Cross recipient who was the first Muslim in the region to receive an award for serving in the British Army during World War I. Pictures of Quaid-i-Azam and a timeline of presidents, prime ministers and chiefs of army staff welcome visitors as they enter the building. Former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto`s picture is displayed in the gallery devoted to the Armoured Corps, as the first civilian to become the colonel in chief of the Armoured Corps of the Pakistan Army.The museum is divided into various galleries. The Hurriyat Gallery is dedicated to fighters who travelled from Fata to Kashmir to fight in the 1947 Indo-Pak war on Kashmir. Other galleries are devoted to the 1965 and 1971 wars.The Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi’s superb military collections document the history of the of the armed forces of the Pakistan . The Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi was opened on October 24, 1961 to preserve Pakistan Army’s past through relics and pictures and is one of the largest museums of Pakistan.Army Museum was established in 1961 in an improvised warehouse near General Headquarters to preserve and chronicle Pakistan Army’s history. The renovated 50,00 square feet area houses artifacts, paintings, photographs, sculptures and dioramas in its lobbies, 14 galleries and outer area that tell Pakistan Army’s story with reference to its historical background, birth, reconstitution and re-organization at the time of independence, its wars, alarms and excursions and peace time services to the nation.The museum also contains rare pieces of old-time arms and uniforms to depict transformation of military forces. Some of the surviving Sherman tanks are a part of the museum’s display.The statue of Subedar Khuda Dad Khan the first Indian, South Asian who got victoria cross at Holay Becks Belgium in 1914 welcome all the visters on the main enternce of Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi.A particularly interesting museum exhibit displays the evolution of arms and ammunition, and holds historical relics such as Tipu Sultan`s sword and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh`s suit of armour.Muzzle Loader Gun of Sher Shah Suri dated 16th century which was used by Sher Shah Suri against Ghakars of Punjab.Narwal Tusk with hidden dagger used by Nawabs of Uddh as walking stick.Sherman Tank captured in Indo-Pak war of 1965 at Chamb Joria.The Pakistan Army Museum is next to the Army Library in Rawalpindi. It houses a handful of well-kept galleries exhibiting a limited but interesting collection dating from prehistoric to current times, including war on terrorism.Army Museum is one of those few museums in Pakistan that are organized on modern lines. Most sections follow a particular theme or event and have been quite artistically decorated. Provides good historical account of various aspects and events related to Pakistan. The collections include ordnance, firearms, and swords; uniforms and insignia; national and military flags and banners; and many other objects.The housed in the colonial-era barracks of the Pakistan Army`s General Headquarters (GHQ), the Pakistan Army Museum is a must-see for weaponry and war history enthusiasts.The museum holds within it arms and ammunition from the Mughal era, all the way to modern weapons. It was first set up in 1961, in a majestic building adjacent to GHQ on Iftikhar Janjua Road.The new museum building offers detailed history of the evolution of the Pakistan Army; the wars fought between India and Pakistan from 1947 in Kashmir to 1999 in Kargil, and the army`s role in the war on terrorism.A gallery has been devoted to the global war on terrorism and the military`s operations in the tribal areas on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.The museum has a vast collection of original relics, books, journals and documents, photographs and audiovisual materials.`The new building was constructed between 2009-2013 and inaugraterd by Gen Asfaq Pervaiz Kaini in 2014.The purpose of the Army Museum is to educate the young genration and to give people the opportunity to understand their history and the Pakistan Army`s work in war and peace.On 70th Independence Day annaversriy annuncement by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army museum near GHQ was opened for general public from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm on 14th August 2017. ‘People are welcome to visit and see the history preserved by Pakistan Army.’ISPR stated Interstingly when media persons Asghar Ali Mubarak,Syd M.Yaseen Hashmi,Sardar Sadaqat and others visited the Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi’s the entery fee were charched Rs;50 per person and only one entry ticket issued to all the numbers and over writing clearly showed the the rate Rs,10 deleted by black maraker and Rs,50 per person charged .Unfortunate there was no information desk,information booklet available for visitors specially for the students,There was also no visitor book ,suggestion book or complaints book was available on the historical day.After visiting the museum a Sikh visitor Mahnna Singh who wear Pakistani green shirt and traditional turban along with his family members stated : “It is impressive how in this museum the proud history of the Pakistan Army has been kept and maintained.”As a responsible citizen of Pakistan first of all we introduce as media persons on the main gate entry of Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi.There was a large numbers of peoples come to visit along-with theirs families but the situation found different when they were asked pay 50 Rs;50 per person even students or under age youth who was first time visiting Army Museum .Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi’s director Brigadier Adnan Saleem after receiving our request for meeting for a short time come out his office to meet us .Brigadier Adnan Saleem Army Education Corps, Director Army Museum for supervising and coordinating all museum development activities.Brigadier Adnan Saleem welcomed the media teams from different media houses.He asked his staff to accompanied us as guide but after few minutes they all disappear in huge public gathering .The souvenir memento, shop prices were out of the reached for visitors .Except the souvenir shop all other offices were closed due to public holiday.Pakistan Army Museum Rawalpindi has its own Civilian Staff Senior Curators Master in Archaeology & Museology ,Research Officer,Photographer ,Guide ,Receptionist,Repair & Conservation Assistant,Lab Assistant,Exhibition Assistant ,store Keeper of Reserve Collection ,Museum Attendant & Other Class-IV Staff is working under its director of the museum .One can also find vehicles used by the Indian forces that were captured by the army during war, such as the Willy Jeep belonging to Maj Gen Narianjan Parchad which was captured during the 1965 war. A gallery devoted to Siachen explains the challenges of serving at the highest military post in the world, and the Special Service Group gallery highlights the difficulties of soldiers trained in guerrilla warfare.The entry from CSD car park side has really made it easy for the civilians to visit the museum and there is no entry problem now. Do remember to carry your national ID card as entry will be denied if you don’t show your identity.
