Kohima War Cemetery is at Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland state of India. War Cemetery at Kohima is dedicated to the 10000-odd soldiers who lost their lives in protecting their country from the invading Japanese during World War II in the Battle of Kohima (alias the Battle of Imphal and Kohima) in 1944.

This Battle of Imphal and Kohima lasted for nearly three months, during which a small group of soldiers bravely blocked many advancing Japanese troops at the border from invading India. The Indian troops were the 50th Indian Parachute Brigade under Brigadier Maxwell Hope-Thompson at Sangshak.  It is often referred to as the Stalingrad of the East. The Kohima War Cemetery, which used to be known as Garrison Hill, lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill, in what was once the Deputy Commissioner’s tennis court, which was the scene of the Battle of Kohima.

Briefing on the War Cemetry

The War Cemetery at Kohima is designed as a series of terraces and stone steps leading through the cemetery. There are a total of 18 plots in the cemetery. The  Cemetery is maintained well. Green grass and roses add to the beauty. Moreover, there are two crosses at the highest and the lowest points of the cemetery.

Overall, 17,000 soldiers, both Indian and British, were killed, missing, or wounded in the Battle of Kohima.

Before leaving India in 1947, the British erected this memorial in memory of the brave soldiers.

The War Cemetery is engraved with a very apt and moving epitaph that reads:

When you go home, tell them of us, and say: For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

This verse is attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds (1875–1958).

Click the link in this sentence to view ten photos of the Battle of Imphal and Kohima.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the War Cemetery at Kohima. There is a sense of grave tranquillity and stillness in the beautiful surroundings, which makes one’s heart go out to those brave soldiers who gave up their lives to save their country. This War Cemetery is one of the most famous epitaphs in the world. Sadly, many people in India have forgotten the Indian Victory in World War II.

How Do I go to Kohima War Cemetery?

Dimapur Airport is the nearest airport to the War Cemetery, at around 70 kilometers. Dimapur Airport has direct flights to Kolkotta International Airport, Guwahati Airport, Imphal Airport, etc. Imphal is about 145 kilometers from Kohima city. Guwahati is around 250 kilometers distance from Kohima.

Nagaland State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Kohima to other Northern state capitals and major nearby cities.

Dimapur railway station is the nearest railway station to Kohima City.