Delawadi is a picturesque picnic spot located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. The area has been developed as the Delawadi Forest Camp by Madhya Pradesh Eco Tourism Development. The forest camp offers trekking and bird watching facilities and you can also hire a guide from here to go to the nearby Ginnorgarh Fort. There is a Nature Interpretation Centre too at the camp site, which exhibits the attractions around the forest and flora-fauna discovered around. But one site which still remains undiscovered around the area is the Prisoners of War Camp.

The Prisoners of War Camp was constructed in 1939 to house around 30,000 German and Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Spread across a 9sqkm area, there are now remains of barracks and stables, a kitchen, a large water tank and even a theatre overtaken by high wild grass. The camp was built by the then Inspector General of Police, FS Young. This was done deep in the middle of the forest, as at that time, it was completely inaccessible which made escape near impossible. Now, however the camp is connected with a forest road, the forgotten remains have become desolated fortifications in the middle of the jungle.

The camp also has a ‘Sunset Point’ on the western end from where you can enjoy the view of sun disappearing behind the forested hills of Ratapani.

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The old bridge which was used as a meeting point for officers
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A large water tank is very clearly visible when you are walking through the wild grass
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Remains of barracks in the middle of a teak forest at one had made escape impossible
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Crumbling stone structure of a huge wall
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A large number of barracks were built in the camp to house 30,000 prisoners, however, there are only a handful left now
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Interesting to see how nature has taken over the ruins of the camp
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View from the huge water tank
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Sunset Point at the western end of the camp
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The camp was built by the then Inspector General of Police, FS Young
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Desolate fortifications in the middle of the jungle
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A small board announces the camp site