Cantonment facts for kids

A cantonment is a special place where soldiers live and work. Think of it as a military town or a big army base. In countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, a cantonment is a permanent military station. This idea came from the time when these countries were ruled by the British. In the United States military, a cantonment is the main living area for soldiers at a fort or military base.

The word cantonment comes from the French word canton. This word means corner or district. Long ago, it meant a temporary place where soldiers would stay, often during winter. For example, in 1815, before the Waterloo campaign, many soldiers were cantoned (stationed) south of Brussels.

Cantonments Around the World

Cantonments are found in many countries. They serve as homes for military families and training centers for soldiers.

Afghanistan

The old Sherpur Cantonment in Kabul, Afghanistan, was once a military base. It was the site of a big battle in 1879 during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Today, it is a British Army cemetery.

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, cantonments are important places for military personnel. They are homes for soldiers and their families. They also serve as headquarters for different army units. Many types of military training happen in these cantonments.

India

Many cities in India used to have large cantonments. These were for the British Indian Army. Places like Meerut and Ramgarh were very important. Meerut was set up in 1803 and was a huge cantonment for 150 years.

At first, cantonments in India were thought of as temporary. But by the early 1900s, they became permanent military bases. This was made official by military changes in 1903 and a law called the Cantonments Act of 1924.

Today, India has 61 official cantonments. They cover a large area of land. These cantonments are spread across different military commands in India.

Official Cantonments

Other Military Cantonments

Besides the official ones, India has other military cantonments. These are also important bases for the armed forces.

Ghana

• Cantonments, Accra is a well-known area in Ghana.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, cantonments are permanent military bases. They provide homes for active soldiers and their families.

• Airforce Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos
• Armed forces resettlement centre, Oshodi, Lagos
• Army Ordnance Cantonment, (also known as Abalti Barracks), Yaba, Lagos
• Arn Cantonment, Yaba, Lagos
• Badagry Cantonment, Badagry, Lagos
• Dodan Cantonment, Ikoyi, Lagos
• Ikeja Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos
• Marda Cantonment, Yaba, Lagos
• Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos
• Ojo Cantonment (also known as Palm Barracks), Ojo, Lagos,
• Bonny Camp, Victoria Island
• Jaji military cantonment, kaduna,
• Dalet cantonment, kaduna,
• Mogadishu cantonment,
• Abiyssinia cantonment,
• .Burma cantonment,
• Adshanti cantonment,
• Nigerian Defence Academy, Afaka, Kaduna

Pakistan

Pakistan also has many cantonments. These are important military areas across the country.

Singapore

In Singapore, the word "cantonment" is used for a police cantonment. This is a main police station or headquarters.

South Africa

• Thaba Tshwane is a cantonment in South Africa.

Sri Lanka

• Panagoda Cantonment is a military base in Sri Lanka.

United States

In the United States, the military uses "cantonment" to describe the permanent buildings at army training bases. These are different from the outdoor training areas. Cantonment areas often have housing for soldiers, dining halls, classrooms, and airfields.

See also

• Kaserne