A new museum has opened in Ayub National Park that gives guests the opportunity to look through the arms used in major wars.

The museum, known as Heritage House, has been set up by the Army Heritage Foundation. Its new building was completed last month, and the museum opened its doors to the public a few days ago.

The outer building of the museum has been built to look like a fort, with woodwork and balconies that reflect Kashmiri wood art and mirror work that highlights the region’s Mughal heritage.

At the entrance, a wall has been decorated with images of the Pakistan Movement, pictures of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, other Muslim leaders from the Indian subcontinent and even Khilafat Movement leader Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar and his mother Bi Amma.

The museum also presents a pictorial history of the army, from images of Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan addressing the armed forces to photos of commanders in chief and chiefs of army staff.

Alongside photos there are also replicas on display. One depicts the battle camp of the army commandant, with a folding bed, a desk and chair, a lantern, ground sheet, blanket, lunch box, telephone set, uniform, shaving kit and so on.

There are also replicas of air force planes and navy ships used in the 1965 war, as well as pistols and rifles used by solders.

The latest version of an AK-47, as well as antique pistols, revolvers and other firearms are also on display, such as a 7.62mm Russian revolver from 1895, a British revolver, flintlock and wheellock pistols and various kinds of musket pistols.

There are also old communication devices and old signal systems, which serve to show visitors how these systems worked.

In addition to showcasing weaponry, the museum also gives visitors an idea of the work military personnel have done in other fields. One display, for instance, presents the role of military personnel in national sports and includes statues of athletes who have received medals.

There is also a special gallery for the war against terrorism, and photographs of martyrs and the army’s role in troubled areas. A military regiments corner contains information on the uniforms and badges from various army regiments from 1947 to 2019.

According to Army Heritage Foundation Director General retired Brig Zaman Nasrullah Khan Niazi, Heritage House was made in the public interest of the twin cities. He said the museum “is a unique educational facility for the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, especially the students and youth, to learn about the heritage of our country.”

He said the primary role of the museum will be to engage and educate young people. It will also feature school programmes with lectures from qualified experts, he added.

Mr Niazi said army veterans had worked hard to collect material related to the military, along with carrying out research.

He said the museum aims to preserve the history of the wars fought by the Pakistani military.

“Our youth must know our war heroes, their weapons, equipment and material use,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2019