Guwahati War Cemetery Guwahati

Guwahati War Cemetery, Guwahati: A Serene Sanctuary of Remembrance & Valor! LEST WE FORGET 🕊️

Key Details:

• Official Name: Gauhati War Cemetery (The CWGC uses “Gauhati,” the older spelling of Guwahati).
• Location 📍: Navagraha Road, Silpukhuri area, Guwahati, Assam, 781003, India. (Located in a quiet residential area, near the Navagraha Temple).
• Significance/Known For 🌟:
  • A beautifully maintained Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery.
  • Contains the graves of Commonwealth soldiers (and some other nationalities) who died during World War II.
  • Many of the burials were transferred from other temporary wartime cemeteries in Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland.
  • A place of quiet contemplation, historical significance, and remembrance for the sacrifices made during the war.
  • Known for its serene atmosphere, immaculate lawns, and orderly rows of headstones.
• Established/Commissioned 🗓️: The cemetery was established during World War II. Burials date between February 1942 and February 1946. The permanent CWGC design and construction would have been completed post-war.
• Number of Burials/Memorials:
  • Contains 521 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, of which 30 are unidentified.
  • Also contains 24 non-war burials (mostly post-war).
• Maintained By: Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
• Key Features ✝️🌺:
  • Orderly Rows of Headstones: Uniform headstones made of Portland stone or bronze plaques (for Gurkha soldiers, often with their regimental badge), each inscribed with the soldier’s name, rank, regiment, date of death, age, and often a personal epitaph chosen by their family.
  • Cross of Sacrifice: A prominent feature in most CWGC cemeteries of this size, representing the Christian faith of many buried and the sacrifice made.
  • Stone of Remembrance (if present, typical in larger cemeteries): Inscribed with “Their Name Liveth For Evermore,” a phrase chosen by Rudyard Kipling. (The presence of a Stone of Remembrance at Gauhati needs to be confirmed; CWGC cemeteries vary). Smaller cemeteries might not have it. CWGC records indicate Gauhati War Cemetery does have a Cross of Sacrifice.
  • Meticulously Maintained Lawns & Gardens: Lush green lawns, beautiful flowerbeds, and well-kept landscaping, creating a peaceful and respectful environment.
  • Register Box: Usually contains a visitors’ book and a cemetery register with details of those buried.
• Timings 🕰️:
  • The CWGC cemeteries are generally open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • However, for practical purposes and staff presence (gardener/caretaker), visiting during daylight hours is recommended, typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or sunrise to sunset.
• Entry Fee 🎟️: Free (There is no entry fee to visit CWGC cemeteries).
• Photography Rules 📸: Photography is generally permitted for personal and respectful use. Commercial photography might require permission from the CWGC.
• Contact Number 📞 (CWGC & Assam Tourism):
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) – India Office (Delhi): +91 11 26880015 (For official inquiries about the cemetery, maintenance, or finding specific graves).
  • CWGC Head Office (UK): +44 1628 634221.
  • Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC): For general tourism information in Guwahati. (Guwahati Office: +91 361 2738529, +91 361 2607102).
• Website 🌐 (Authentic – CWGC & Assam Tourism):
  • CWGC Official Website: https://www.cwgc.org/ (This is the definitive source for information on Gauhati War Cemetery).
  • Assam Tourism: https://assamtourism.gov.in/

A Solemn Tribute in Guwahati: The Gauhati War Cemetery 🌺 LEST WE FORGET

The Gauhati War Cemetery, nestled in a quiet corner of Guwahati city, stands as a poignant and beautifully maintained memorial to the Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives during the intense campaigns of World War II in the region. Managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this serene sanctuary offers a place for remembrance, reflection, and paying homage to the sacrifices made by young men from various nations. With its orderly rows of identical headstones, immaculate lawns, and the iconic Cross of Sacrifice, the cemetery evokes a profound sense of peace and respect, serving as a lasting tribute to those who never returned home.

Echoes of Conflict: History and Purpose 📜⚔️

• World War II in the Region: During World War II, Assam and the northeastern region of India became a crucial operational area for the Allied forces, particularly during the Burma Campaign against the Japanese. Guwahati (then Gauhati) served as an important supply base, airbase, and military hospital center.
• Establishment of the Cemetery: The cemetery was created to provide a final resting place for soldiers who died due to enemy action, disease, or accidents during this period.
• Consolidation of Graves: Many of the burials in Gauhati War Cemetery were brought in from other, smaller, and more isolated wartime cemeteries or burial grounds in Assam, as well as from civil cemeteries in Sylhet (now in Bangladesh), Badarpur, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Dinjan, Katapahar, Lebong, Lumding, Manipur Road, Nowgong, Pandu, Shillong, and Tezpur. This consolidation ensured that their graves could be perpetually maintained by the CWGC.
• Commemorating the Fallen: The primary purpose of the cemetery is to honor and remember the Commonwealth servicemen who died in this theatre of war.

A Garden of Remembrance: Layout and Design Principles 🌳✝️

CWGC cemeteries around the world follow distinct design principles to create a serene and egalitarian atmosphere:

• Uniform Headstones: Each grave is marked by a uniform headstone, made of Portland stone or, for Gurkha soldiers, often a bronze plaque with their regimental badge. This uniformity signifies that all who died are remembered equally, regardless of rank, race, or creed.
• Landscaping: The cemeteries are designed as beautiful gardens, with meticulously maintained lawns, vibrant flowerbeds, shrubs, and trees, creating a peaceful and reflective environment.
• Cross of Sacrifice: Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, this iconic cross, with a downward-pointing bronze sword, is a central feature in many CWGC cemeteries, representing the Christian faith of many of the fallen and the sacrifice they made.
• Registry and Visitors’ Book: A register containing the names and details of those buried is usually kept in a small, sheltered box near the entrance, along with a visitors’ book for people to leave their comments.

A Global Tribute: Significance as a Memorial 🌍🙏

• Commonwealth Nations: The soldiers buried here represent various Commonwealth nations, including the United Kingdom, Undivided India (now India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others, as well as some from other Allied nations.
• Honoring Sacrifice: The cemetery stands as a lasting testament to the human cost of war and the collective sacrifice made by these individuals for the cause of freedom.
• Educational Value: It serves as an important historical site, offering insights into World War II and its impact on the region.

A Visit of Respect: Visitor Experience & Guidelines 👀🚶‍♂️

• What to Expect: A very quiet, peaceful, and immaculately maintained green space. The atmosphere is solemn and reflective.
• Conduct: Visitors are expected to behave with respect and decorum, mindful of the nature of the site.
  • Maintain silence or speak softly.
  • Do not climb on headstones or memorials.
  • Avoid picnicking or recreational activities within the cemetery grounds.
• Finding Specific Graves: If you are looking for a specific grave, you can use the cemetery register (usually found in a box near the entrance) or the CWGC online database beforehand to get the plot, row, and grave number. The CWGC staff (if present, or the local caretaker) might also be able to assist.
• Paying Tributes: Visitors often leave flowers or small tokens of remembrance on the graves.

Reaching the Hallowed Ground: Location & Accessibility in Guwahati 📍🚗

• Location: Navagraha Road, Silpukhuri area, Guwahati. It’s relatively close to the city center but in a quieter residential zone.
• How to Reach:
  • Local Transport 🚕 AUTO 🚌: Easily accessible by auto-rickshaws or taxis from any part of Guwahati. Ask for “War Cemetery near Navagraha Temple.” Local buses also ply to the Silpukhuri area.
• Nearest Railway Station 🚂: Guwahati Railway Station (GHY) is the main railway station in the city.
• Nearest Airport ✈️: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (GAU).

Insider Tips for Your Visit to Gauhati War Cemetery 💡

• Visit During Daylight Hours: For the best experience and to appreciate the landscaping.
• Check the CWGC Website First ⭐: If you are looking for a particular grave, the CWGC website’s “Find War Dead” section is an invaluable resource. You can find details and sometimes even download a commemorative certificate.
• Allow Time for Reflection: This is not a typical tourist attraction but a place for quiet contemplation.
• Combine with Navagraha Temple: The Navagraha Temple (Temple of Nine Celestial Bodies) is located nearby and can be visited on the same trip if you are interested in local religious sites.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: You will likely be walking on lawns.

Why Gauhati War Cemetery is a Profound Guwahati Experience ❤️✨

• Historical Significance: A direct link to the events of World War II in the northeastern region of India.
• A Place of Peace & Solitude: Offers a serene and beautifully maintained environment for reflection.
• Tribute to Sacrifice: An opportunity to pay respects to the soldiers who laid down their lives.
• Immaculate Maintenance: Showcases the dedicated work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in honoring the war dead.
• Educational & Humbling: Provides a sobering reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of peace.