Kalinga War Memorial in Dehradun

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Dehradun is a small valley situated on an altitude of 2250 ft above the sea level. Dehradun is a popular hill station in Northern India apart from Mussorie which is only 34 kms away from Dehradun. It is the capital of Uttranchal. Kalinga War Memorial in Dehradun is unique in itself and a much visited spot in the city.

Dehradun is very near to Delhi, only 234 kms away. The weather of Dehradun is slightly pleasant as compared to Delhi and other near by areas. Dehradun is relatively colder through out the year. Thus to find respite from the heat, North Indians visit Dehradun during summers. The small hill station is much visited because it is the gateway for Hindu pilgrim cities like Haridwar and Rishikesh, visited by people from all over India.

Dehradun is famous for Basmati rice (high quality fragrant rice), tea, mango, and lichi gardens. Dehradun is particularly known for schools and institutions of all India fame. Survey of India, where Sir George Everest had measured Mount Everest is also located in Dehradun. Forest Reasearch Institute and Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy are also situated in Dehradun.

Dehradun has a hilly terrain but is not an unexplored hill station. Now it has developed as a full fledged city with lots of houses, offices, farm houses, apartments. A lot of trekking is possible in the near by hills.

War memorial of Kalinga in Dehradun

The famous tourist spots in Dehradun are Sahastradhara, Tapkeshwar temple, Laxman Siddh, Malsi Deer Park, and Chandrabani. Kalinga War Memorial is also a unique kind of war memorial in Dehradun. War memorials are all same and there are thousands of war memorials in the world. However, Kalinga War memorial in Dehradun is special.

Kalinga War Memorial is located on the Sahastradhara Road. This is the only War memorial in the world that was created by the army in memory of its foe. Yes it's true that Kalinga War Memorial was erected by British Army in memory of its opponent Gorkha Regiment.

Kalinga War memorial was constructed after the Anglo-Gorkha war and that is the reason why it is called "Gorkha war memorial". The Anglo-Gorkha war was fought between the British Army and Nepal's Gorkha soldiers in 1814. The Gorkhas from Nepal invaded the Garhwal region. They captured the Kalinga fort in Nalapani but could not finally overtake the territory from the British Army.

Although the Gorkhas were not able to win the Garhwal region and had to retreat back their bravery and courage immensely impressed the Britishers. It is said that the Gorkhas were protecting the fort for six weeks without water and food. They were determined to fight till the last. Hence forth the British Army started recruiting a number of Gorkhas in its army.

To show their admiration for Gorkha's courage and valiance the Britishers erected the Kalinga War memorial in Dehradun. The structure of the memorial is simple but the writings on the monument speak vividly of the Gurkha War and how brave Gurkhas are.

This memorial is a pride for Gorkha community and should be visited by every Gurkha while in Dehradun.