Indian War Memorial Museum - A Tribute to Soldiers at Red Fort

The museum was established in 1919 within the Naubat Khana (Drum House) of the Red Fort. It was conceptualized by Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy of India, to honor the contribution and sacrifice of soldiers from British India in World War I. The exhibits were sourced from various cantonments across the country. After India's independence, the museum came under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India. It stands as one of the country's older military museums, preserving the memory of Indian soldiers who fought in global conflicts before 1947.

This museum is historically significant as it documents the often-overlooked role of Indian soldiers in the World Wars under British rule. It provides a valuable perspective on India's colonial military past. Housed in the Naubat Khana, a building where royal musicians once announced the emperor's arrival, the museum's location offers a striking contrast between Mughal grandeur and colonial military history. For visitors to the Red Fort, it adds an important layer to the site's complex narrative, showcasing how the fort's purpose evolved over centuries from a royal residence to a military garrison and now a historical monument.