Jaswant Garh War Memorial

Where

Between Sela Pass and Jang, NH-13, Tawang district

Altitude

About 3,000–3,600 m (reports vary)

Distance

On the Sela–Jang stretch, roughly 1.5–2 hours before Tawang

Timings

Daylight

Entry fee

Free

Permit

Arunachal Inner Line Permit for Indians, Protected Area Permit for foreigners

Best time

March–May and October–November

Time needed

30–45 minutes

Jaswant Garh is the war memorial on the Tawang road to Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the 4th Battalion, Garhwal Rifles, who was killed near here in the Battle of Nuranang on 17 November 1962. Almost every Tawang trip stops here, between Sela Pass and Jang, for the story and the army's free tea.

The Battle of Nuranang

On 17 November 1962, Chinese troops attacked the 4th Garhwal Rifles' positions near Nuranang. A Chinese medium machine gun was causing heavy casualties. Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, with Lance Naik Trilok Singh Negi and Rifleman Gopal Singh Gusain, volunteered to silence it. Covered by Negi's fire, Rawat and Gusain got within grenade range and seized the gun. Gusain and Negi were killed on the way back; Rawat, badly wounded, brought the gun back and lost his life in the battle. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously; the battalion received the battle honour Nuranang.

The legend

Local and army tradition goes further. It says Jaswant Singh held the Chinese off for about 72 hours, moving between bunkers to make them think they faced a large force, helped by two Monpa girls, Sela and Nura, who brought him food and ammunition. Sela was killed and Nura captured; Sela Pass and Nuranang Falls carry their names. Historians treat these details as legend rather than record, but the story is told here with great feeling.

The army treats Jaswant Singh as if still serving. Soldiers keep his room, make his bed and polish his boots, and he is said to have been promoted over the years.

What you'll see

• The memorial and shrine, with his portrait, uniform and personal items.
• The bunker positions around the memorial.
• The army canteen, where tea is traditionally free, with snacks and souvenirs on sale.

Where it is

The memorial is on NH-13 on the descent from Sela Pass towards Jang. Distances quoted online vary widely (from 14 to 25 km from various points), so treat any single figure with caution; in practice it's roughly 1.5–2 hours' drive before Tawang. See our Guwahati to Tawang cab and Tawang tour packages.

Road distances from OpenStreetMap routing. Drive times are what we see on these mountain roads, not map estimates.

Things most guides don't tell you

• The tea is free, but buy something. The canteen supports the unit's welfare.
• Combine it with Sela and Nuranang to tell the full story in order: Sela Pass, then Jaswant Garh, then Nuranang Falls near Jang.
• On the anniversary, 17 November, the army holds a commemoration.

Nearby

• Sela Pass, above on the same road.
• Nuranang Falls, near Jang.
• Tawang War Memorial, in Tawang town.