As part of Project Shaurya Gatha—the government’s ongoing effort to study, preserve and celebrate India’s military history and heritage—key military landmarks, including forts, battlefields, memorials, and museums, will be identified, restored, and promoted with the objective of developing a comprehensive National Military Heritage Conservation Policy.
The motive behind this effort is to honour the valour and sacrifice of India’s warriors from ancient times to the modern times which will contribute towards promotion of national pride and identity, and also open new avenues for tourism and development particularly in the border areas which hold immense potential for growth.
The initiative to honour the past which will foster national pride and educate future generations was launched on Friday in the national capital. It will also make history accessible.
Besides creating a robust network of historic sites, there will be informative tours with the use of digital resources, and strategic marketing. There will be major spinoffs in the form of economic development, jobs creation, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable economic activities.
Project Shaurya Gatha is a landmark initiative by the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in collaboration with the Center for Military History and Conflict Studies under the aegis of the United Service Institution of India (USI-CMHCS).
Besides the defence ministry, the collaborative effort has also roped in the tourism, culture, education, home and foreign affairs ministries.
A source in the defence ministry told THE WEEK: “A significant aspect of this project is the formulation of a National Policy for Military Heritage conservation, addressing a long-standing need to systematically preserve, restore, and protect our tangible and intangible military heritage.”
“This initiative will ensure that our historical assets, from ancient battlefields to war memorials and museums, are safeguarded for future generations. It will also help document oral histories and artifacts, preserving the stories of our armed forces’ sacrifices and achievements while fostering a deeper sense of national pride and unity.”
“The project will project India’s military heritage and to the country’s role in global affairs from protecting ancient trade routes, contributing to world peace, and participating in international conflicts to uphold justice and maintain the global order”.
The project will also compile an extensive resource in the form of publications, documenting the accounts of key battlefields, military museums, memorials, and the ancient military history of India.