Pratyusha Mukherjee Laitkor, Shillong , Meghalaya
Assam Rifles the oldest and most decorated Para Military Force of the Country is going to celebrate its 190th Raising Day today.
The Assam Rifles Museum is a fairly new institute and is the pride of the Assam Rifles. It was established on 29 March 1983 at the Assam Rifles Training Center and School in Shokhovi, Nagaland and was later shifted to Shillong in the erstwhile DG Assam Rifles Headquarters at Laitumukhrah. The present structure that we can see was built and inaugurated by Lieutenant General Ranveer Singh, former DG Assam Rifles on 24 March 2014. It has subsequently been renovated in 2017 which was inaugurated by Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of the country.
The Assam Rifles Museum, located at the HQ Directorate General Assam Rifles in Laitkor, Shillong, is a must visit destination for history lovers, as it is one of the finest military museums, highlighting the rich heritage of Assam Rifles, and also has a North East Corner, showcasing the various traditional dresses and details of the tribes staying in various states in the North East.
Before I move inside the Museum, I would like to brief you on the artifacts displayed outside:-
75mm Mitchelle Bombers Cannon and Engine:-
The broken pieces of the Air Craft are the remnants of the ill fated Mitchell Bomber that carried Major General Ordy Charles Wingate, Commander of British Army on the Burma Front and the mastermind of the Chindits Operation. The Aircraft on March 1944 was shot down by the Japanese during the WW II with the General Officer on board, both he and his crew did not survive the crash. Years later in 1989, the Aircraft was recovered from the crash site by 30 Assam Rifles and brought here.
Tailfin of Dakota Aircraft 47 and Mitchelle Bomber Engine:-
The aircraft remnants are the artifacts of WW II recovered by 28 and 6 Assam Rifles.
Assam Rifles Deployment on World Map:-
This historical map depicts the deployment of the Assam Rifles during major Wars and Operations both in the Country and the World in addition to its pivotal role in the North East.
The period covered is from World War I till date. The Assam Rifles during WW I was deployed as part of British Indian Army mainly in Europe, Egypt and Mesopotamia. During WW II the Assam Rifles was deployed at the Burmese Front. The 1962 Sino-India Conflict saw the Force occupying fwd posts along the disputed Mc-Mahon Line (NEFA) as part of Government “Forward Policy” and bore the first brunt of Chinese attacks. It must be noted that the Assam Rifles was in the first tier ahead of the regular Army along the Mc Mahon Line. The Force during 1962 also fought at the dual front opened by East Pakistan in Tripura. During the 1965 War, the Force again relieved the Army in Manipur and Nagaland and also countered aggression from East Pakistan in Tripura. During 1971 War The Assam Rifles continued maintaining law and order of the North East and also provided administrative support to the Army for Bangladesh. The Assam Rifles Battalions have also served in J & K from 1990 to 1998 and have now again been deployed there from 2020 onwards. In addition the Assam Rifles have served in the UN Mission in Haiti and at present also has a Rifle Women Contingent deployed in UNDOF.
Otter Light Reconnaissance Car:-
The Otter reconnaissance car that you see towards your half right is of Canadian origin and was used extensively by the Common Wealth Countries during World War II. This was used by the British during the Burma Campaign and has been in possession of the Assam Rifles ever since.
Monolith Stones:-
The pieces of stone to your complete right are associated with the Khasi Culture of Meghalaya and they represent the four elements that is the Earth, Fire, Wind and Water. The horizontal stones are called dolmens and the standing stones are called Menhirs. This was presented by the Government of Meghalaya to the Assam Rifles during the Museum Inauguration.
Now I will give you some briefings of Museum Entry.
This Museum is laid out in four parts. The entrance lobby that depicts the association of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the Assam Rifles and also the contribution of the Assam Rifles during the Burma Campaign. The ground floor takes us through the war and operational history of the Assam Rifles since World War I till date and also gives a brief insight of its evolution since the Cachar Levy Days of 1835. The second floor unfolds the culture and heritage of the Northeast in a detailed manner. The Audio Visual room is used to display the Movies and documentaries of the Assam Rifles contribution to the visiting dignitaries.
Entrance Lobby:-
The entrance lobby signifies the association of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the Assam Rifles and also the contribution of the Assam Rifles during the Burma Campaign.
Holy Tankha:-
Towards your complete left is the wooden temple built by the Buddhist devotees which holds the holy cloth “Tankha” which containsthe imageof Lord Buddha at the centre. This artifact was gifted by Dalai Lama to the Assam Rifles and was taken from the Chassang Temple in Arunachal Pradesh. The eight holy symbols above the artifact represent eight holy or lucky symbols in Buddhism somewhat similar to the holy Swastik sign in Hinduism.
Photo Frame Depicting Dalai Lamas Escape from Tibet and Personal Side Arm: –
In 1959 when China annexed Tibet, the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet. He sent an urgent letter to the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru seeking refuge in India. The Indian government immediately took measures to escort him safely from Tibet to India. The soldiers of the 5th Assam Rifles successfully carried out this operation. They escorted Dalai Lama from the Chinese border sat Surwasa to Jimithag to Tawang and further to Lokhra. The frame in front of you depicts the safe escort provided by the Assam Rifles to Dalai Lama and his eight council of Ministers. Dalai Lama wrote a letter of appreciation and best wishes in Tibetan language which is indicated on the frame towards your right and also gifted his personal side arms, a pistol displayed in front of you.
We now can witness the evolution of the Assam Rifles and its role in the North East and Nation Building through a documentary made by the Assam Rifles.
You can follow :
(With inputs from DGAR)
(Ms. Pratyusha Mukherjee, an Independent Sr. Broadcast Journalist working for British media with 20 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence and Sports.She is associated with us as Editorial head of Defence and Sports. In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and Indian media awards for Journalism)
