The pride and heartache

A cemetery for some people is considered just a resting place for the dead but for others, the cemetery is associated with their lives. One such cemetery that speaks of past and heartache alike is the Guwahati War Cemetery in the Guwahati city of Assam. This cemetery started during the Second World War. Buried here are the bodies of people from several military hospitals near the vicinity. These hospitals were treating the soldiers who were wounded in the war, and those who died were sent to the cemetery to be buried.

But as time progressed, the deaths increased and the place for them to be buried decreased. Thus, the Army Graves Service bought graves from the other cemetery namely, Amari Bari Military Cemetery, Guwahati Civil Cemetery, Sylhet Military Cemetery and many more. This was done to provide a final resting place for the dead who couldn't find a permanent place to be buried. As deaths increased even further, in 1952 they had to buy several places nearby to accommodate. Today, this cemetery has 521 graves which include 316 Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War, 136 known and seven unknown Indian soldiers, 5 foreign soldiers, 2 whose nationality is unknown and 24 graves of Chinese army soldiers.

Among the 9 World War cemeteries in India, Guwahati was the only cemetery to have 11 Japanese soldiers buried there. Still, later they were dug up and taken by the Japanese government to give them burials of honour in their native country.

The Guwahati war cemetery is not only a cemetery but is also the pride of the country. It is also a reminder of the heavy price they had to pay for war and the debt we owe to them all. The cemetery is a testament to their bravery and devotion towards the country.

The mysterious death

“The one who is born shall die one day”. After all, death is a mysterious inseparable part of our life. We are all born knowing that we all will have to say goodbye to our loved ones one day, no matter how hard we try to resist, wishing to live just a little longer.

Even after being aware of this, death leaves us with a heartache that is healed by none. It leaves you with a gaping hole in your heart that bleeds for eternity. It's scary, isn't it? Something so beyond your control. This still makes it taboo to talk about, mentioned only in whispers in dire moments. But if you ponder about it, death is charming in its way. It also makes a wonderful teacher. It teaches you to live in the moment and to cherish every beauty and ugliness of life. It also reminds you about how you should live your life with courage and passion because if you think about it, life can be a moment's journey.

It is imperative to acknowledge the exceptional courage displayed by our soldiers who fearlessly confront death and defy it with their unwavering resilience. These brave individuals stand as a symbol of unwavering dedication and sacrifice, willingly putting their lives on the line to protect the freedoms and safety of our nation. Their unwavering commitment to duty, honour, and country serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the extraordinary bravery and selflessness that exists within the human spirit. Their willingness to face the gravest of dangers with resolve and determination exemplifies the highest ideals of service and sacrifice. It is through their unwavering bravery and steadfast resolve that our soldiers demonstrate the epitome of courage, standing as a testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.

The war of that time

At the time of 1939, when India was still under the control of the Britishers, the British Empire had declared war on Nazi Germany in September. In 1933, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party had taken control over the whole of Germany. It was due to Italian fascism that increased the favourability of the idea of the Nazi Party. These, who claimed to be fascists promised national unity and the interests of the people above all.

But as you are probably aware, Adolf in his hatred destroyed the nation and the trust of his believers. With an insatiable greed and the need to increase reign over the whole world, he invaded Poland. Poland on the other hand, had been an ally of both Britain and France. With the knowledge of Hitler's attack on Poland, both Britain and France declared war on Germany.

For India, this was a matter of great importance. The Britishers had, after all, demanded soldiers from India to be deployed to the war. Two million soldiers from India went to the war to fight but unfortunately, India lost 87,000 brave soldiers in World War II.

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Timings

Opening time - 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM in the summer

08:00 AM to 04:00 PM in the winter

Beyond the cemetery

Kamakhya Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. Its unique architecture, spiritual ambience, and the annual Ambubachi Mela draw visitors from all over the country, providing a deep cultural and religious experience.

Another significant destination is the Assam State Museum, which houses an extensive collection of artefacts, sculptures, and exhibits that showcase Assam's rich cultural heritage and history.