Ludhiana's Neglected War Museum Disappoints Visitors, Struggles to Survive

As of November 2025, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum in Ludhiana, India, has fallen into a state of disrepair, disappointing visitors and highlighting the facility's ongoing struggles. The museum, which was established nearly two decades ago to showcase India's military heritage and honor the bravery of soldiers, now bears visible signs of neglect.

The museum's galleries, once the pride of the region, have fallen into disarray. The History Section, which once offered a chronological journey through India's wars, now has labels hastily pasted with cellotape to prevent them from tearing off. The Uniform Gallery, meant to display the evolution of military uniforms, is poorly lit, and the Heroes Section, highlighting the gallantry of fallen soldiers, suffers from neglect, with several photographs losing clarity and the display boards appearing unkempt.

The museum's most dynamic feature, the Kargil Section, has completely lost its charm. The once-moving miniature tanks that recreated the scenes of the 1999 Kargil War now lie still and covered in dust, with the narration system and synchronized lights no longer functioning.

The museum's financial woes have also taken a toll on its staff, who have not received a salary hike in the past four years. The pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, leading to the layoff of five additional staff members. The remaining ten employees, including security guards, gardeners, and administrative staff, struggle to make ends meet, earning around ₹15,000 per month.

Despite the challenges, the museum's management, comprising retired Army officers, is doing its best to sustain operations. However, the lack of government support and dwindling resources have made it increasingly difficult to maintain the facility and restore its former glory.

Visitors to the museum have expressed their disappointment, lamenting the lack of interactive exhibits, functioning displays, and the absence of guides to provide detailed information about the exhibits. Young children and schoolchildren, who are often excited to see the tanks and guns on display, are left without anyone to educate them about the museum's significance.

Unless immediate steps are taken to restore the Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum, it risks becoming just another forgotten landmark, depriving future generations of the opportunity to learn about India's rich military history and the sacrifices of its brave soldiers.