Two years ago, Sekhar Chakrabarti, an author and vexillologist, visited the Indian Army’s Command Museum at Fort William in Kolkata. His interest in military history and the flags displayed at the museum led him there. He vividly recalls his visit in October 2022, especially as he met a war veteran from the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Major General Ian Cardozo AVSM SM (Retd.), who was also touring the museum. Cardozo shared his memories of the war as they explored the galleries together.

On December 16, Vijay Diwas, the museum will host events to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Despite concerns about strained India-Bangladesh relations, the Eastern Command in Kolkata has confirmed the participation of 10-12 Mukti Jodhas, veterans who fought for Bangladesh's freedom, in the event.

Fort William's Command Museum, established in 2018, is the only one of its kind in West Bengal. It documents the fort's 328-year history, the early days of Calcutta, and the significant wars involving the Eastern Command, such as the Second World War, the India-China War of 1962, and the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Although the museum opened to the public in 2022, it remains relatively unknown in Kolkata.

The museum’s galleries focus on pivotal moments in Fort William and Eastern Command’s history. The collection has expanded in recent years to emphasize the 1971 War and other major conflicts. The museum’s building, once an ammunition storage during British rule, now houses artifacts, including captured Pakistani regimental flags displayed upside down in accordance with flag etiquette to signify victory.

The 1971 gallery is particularly significant, paying tribute to the Mukti Bahini and documenting key events of the war. The museum also showcases declassified photos and maps, as well as images of notable figures like Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The museum is an invaluable resource for researchers and historians, and scholars like Manas Dutta believe its public access is essential for generating interest in military history. It could also foster better civil-military relations and academic engagement, making it a key space for learning about South Asia’s wartime history.

For visitors like 21-year-old Rohit Mondal, the museum offers a tangible connection to the 1971 Liberation War, making history come alive in a way that other museums in the state do not. Chakrabarti emphasizes that the Command Museum is unique in its focus on war history, particularly the Bangladesh Liberation War, setting it apart from other military museums.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Indian EXPRESS