New Delhi: Longewala, known for the 1971 battle depicted in JP Dutta’s Border, is an important attraction in Jaisalmer’s sand dunes. Tourists visit the War Memorial to honour Indian soldiers, watch a documentary on the battle and buy memorabilia from an Army-run shop.
India is expanding battlefield tourism with sites like Siachen and Galwan. It is now open for visitors. On the 77th Army Day, the Ministry of Defence launched Bharat Ranbhoomi Darsha. It has turned borders and battlefields into tourist spots. The initiative is aimed at boosting local economies and preserving military history and is part of the holistic development of border areas.
“Government is leaving no stone unturned to transform the Armed Forces into a modern warfare machine in view of the dynamic geopolitical world order and the constantly-changing character of warfare,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his address at ‘Gaurav Gatha’, an event organised in Pune.
At the 77th Army Day celebrations in Pune, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh emphasized modernizing India’s Armed Forces with cutting-edge tech and self-reliance. He also launched initiatives like Army Paralympic Node and Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App, celebrating India’s military… pic.twitter.com/eYcKWJegXy
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) January 15, 2025
Exploring India’s battlefields
The Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan website offers tourists a comprehensive guide, including historical insights, battle accounts, stories of valor, permit applications and information on war memorials and museums. Key sites include Galwan Valley, where Indian and Chinese forces clashed in 2020, which resulted in the loss of 20 Indian soldiers and Doklam, the site of a 2017 standoff over Chinese road construction.
The initiative also features Siachen, the highest battleground on earth, where tourists can explore from the Base Camp up to 15,000 ft. Kargil, the site of the 1999 Indo-Pakistan War, hosts the Dras War Memorial. Longewala in Rajasthan, known for the 1971 battle where 120 Indian soldiers halted a massive Pakistani force, is another highlight.
More sites unveiled
Additional sites include Kibithoo and Bum-La in Arunachal Pradesh, Rezang-La, Pangong Tso and the Cho-La clash site in Sikkim. The initiative aims to boost local economies, educate visitors, foster patriotism and present an accurate narrative of India’s military history.