Ardeshir Tarapore
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was born on August 18, 1923 in Mumbai
. He belongs to the family of General Ratanjiba who led the army of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was awarded 100 villages of which Tarapore was main village. The name Tarapore comes for the same reason. Later his grandfather relocated to Hyderabad and started working under the excise department of Nizam
of Hyderabad
. After his death Burzonji took up his father's job and was comparatively successful due to his hardwork.
From the young tender age Ardeshir's showed his courage when he saved his sister, Yadgar, from a family cow that had broken loose. By the time he was seven years old he was sent to the Sardar Dastur Boys' Boarding School, Pune
. He completed his matriculation in the year 1940. After school he applied for the army and was selected. he did his initial training in the Officers' Training School at Golconda
and on completion was sent to Bangalore
. He saw himself commissioned in the 7th Hyderabad Infantry as a Second Lieutenant
.
, the Commander-in-Chief
of the state forces. At the grenade
throwing range due to an accident a grenade fell into the bay area. Adi was quick to jump and throw it. However the grenade exploded in the middle which left him injured as the flying shapnel hit his chest. Major General Edroos, was a witness to this event which kept him spellbound. He was impressed by the exemplary courage displayed by Ardeshir. Major General Edroos summoned Ardeshir to his office and congratulated him for his efforts. Ardeshir took this as an opportunity and requested that he be transferred to an armoured regiment. The General accepted this and he was transferred to the 1st Hyderabad Imperial Service Lancers. Interestingly, 1st Hyderabad Lancer fought with The Poona Horse
in Operation Polo
.
He also saw active service in West Asia during World War-II during this part of his career.
. Ardeshir was shifted to The Poona Horse
and was commissioned in Poona Horse on 1 April 1951. He rose to the position of a commandant and commanded his very own regiment in the Poona Horse in the 1965 war against Pakistan and while leading his regiment in securing a major objective in Pakistan
, Lieutenant Colonel
A B Tarapore went down fighting on board his Centurion tank
in the highest tradition of the army and recognised as the bravest of the brave to be awarded Param Vir Chakra
for his action in the battle.
took place at Phillora in the Sialkot
sector at the Battle of Chawinda
. During the southern thrust of the Indian Army on the Kaloi-Phillora axis the 17 Horse
commanded by Lt. Col. Tarapore advanced on the right flank. On 11 September 1965, the regiment was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing Phillora. It decided upon launching a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear. To achieve the surprise, when the regiment was thrusting forward between Phillora and Chawinda, it was suddenly counter-attacked by the Pakistani Army's heavy armour from Wazirwali.
Lt. Col. Tarapore defied the Pakistani Army's charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an Infantry
battalion. Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, he remained unperturbed throughout this action. When wounded, he refused to be evacuated. On 14 September 1965, he led his regiment to capture Wazirwali.
Unmindful of his injury, he again led his regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi on 16 September 1965. In this battle his own tank was hit several times. But despite the odds, he maintained his pivots at both these places and thereby helped the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.
Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy armour and destroyed approximately sixty Pakistani Army tanks, suffering only nine tank casualties. However, Lt. Colonel Tarapore was enveloped in flames and died a hero's death. The valour displayed by him in this action, lasting 6 days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Lieutenant Colonel
Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was awarded with the highest war-time gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra
, posthumously. Major Aga Humayun Khan & Major Shamshad of Pakistan Army in their article on Battle of Chawinda,which was published in Defense Journal had described Lt. Col Tarapore as a tough & brave opponent, who inspired & led the 17th Poona Horse bravely throughout the battle.
awarded to him reads:
LIEUTENANT COLONEL A.B TARAPORE,
POONA HORSE (17 HORSE) (IC 5565)
On 11 September 1965, the Poona Horse Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing, Phillora in the Sialkot in Pakistan. As a preliminary to making a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear, the regiment was thrusting between Phillora and Chawinda when it was suddenly counter-attacked by the enemy's heavy armour from Wazirwali. Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore who was then at the head of his regiment, defied the enemy's charge held his ground and gallantry attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an infantry battalion. Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore remained unperturbed throughout this action, and when wounded refused to be evacuated.
On 14 September 1965, though still wounded he again led his regiment to capture Wazirwali. Such was his grit and determination that unmindful of his injury he, again gallantry led his regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur – Dograndi on 16 September. His own tank was hit several times, but despite the odds he maintained his pivots in both these places and thereby allowed the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.
Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy's heavy armour destroying approximately 60 enemy tanks at a cost of only 9 tank casualties, and when Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore was mortally wounded the regiment continue to defy the enemy.
The valour displayed by Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore in this heroic again, which lasted six days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. He belongs to the family of General Ratanjiba who led the army of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was awarded 100 villages of which Tarapore was main village. The name Tarapore comes for the same reason. Later his grandfather relocated to Hyderabad and started working under the excise department of Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
of Hyderabad
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
. After his death Burzonji took up his father's job and was comparatively successful due to his hardwork.
From the young tender age Ardeshir's showed his courage when he saved his sister, Yadgar, from a family cow that had broken loose. By the time he was seven years old he was sent to the Sardar Dastur Boys' Boarding School, Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
. He completed his matriculation in the year 1940. After school he applied for the army and was selected. he did his initial training in the Officers' Training School at Golconda
Golconda
Golconda may be:Places:* Golkonda, ruined city and fortress in India* Golconda, Illinois, town in the United States* Golconda, Nevada, former town in the United StatesOther:* Golconda...
and on completion was sent to Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. He saw himself commissioned in the 7th Hyderabad Infantry as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
.
Hyderabad State Force
He was popularly known as "Adi". Adi was not very happy joining the infantry, instead he wanted to join an armoured regiment. On one fine day his battalion was inspected by Major General El EdroosGeneral El Edroos
Major-General Syed Ahmed El Edroos was the commander-in-chief of the Hyderabad State army at the time of the annexation of Hyderabad State by India in 1948. He was a close confidante and trusted aide of His Excellency the VII Nizam of Hyderabad. His brothers were also senior officers and...
, the Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the state forces. At the grenade
Grenade
A grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
throwing range due to an accident a grenade fell into the bay area. Adi was quick to jump and throw it. However the grenade exploded in the middle which left him injured as the flying shapnel hit his chest. Major General Edroos, was a witness to this event which kept him spellbound. He was impressed by the exemplary courage displayed by Ardeshir. Major General Edroos summoned Ardeshir to his office and congratulated him for his efforts. Ardeshir took this as an opportunity and requested that he be transferred to an armoured regiment. The General accepted this and he was transferred to the 1st Hyderabad Imperial Service Lancers. Interestingly, 1st Hyderabad Lancer fought with The Poona Horse
The Poona Horse
The Poona Horse is an armoured regiment in the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army. The regiment, known before independence as The Poona Horse , was raised as a regular cavalry regiment in the Bombay Presidency army of the East India Company...
in Operation Polo
Operation Polo
Operation Polo code name for The Hyderabad Police Action was a military operation in September 1948 in which the Indian Armed Forces engaged those of the State of Hyderabad and ended the rule of Nizam, annexing the state into the Indian Union....
.
He also saw active service in West Asia during World War-II during this part of his career.
Indian Army
Later Hyderabad was merged with Union of India. This eventually amalgamated the Indian ArmyIndian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. Ardeshir was shifted to The Poona Horse
The Poona Horse
The Poona Horse is an armoured regiment in the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army. The regiment, known before independence as The Poona Horse , was raised as a regular cavalry regiment in the Bombay Presidency army of the East India Company...
and was commissioned in Poona Horse on 1 April 1951. He rose to the position of a commandant and commanded his very own regiment in the Poona Horse in the 1965 war against Pakistan and while leading his regiment in securing a major objective in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
A B Tarapore went down fighting on board his Centurion tank
Centurion tank
The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades...
in the highest tradition of the army and recognised as the bravest of the brave to be awarded Param Vir Chakra
Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
for his action in the battle.
Military action
The biggest tank battle of the 1965 Indo-Pak WarIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
took place at Phillora in the Sialkot
Sialkot
Sialkot is a city in Pakistan situated in the north-east of the Punjab province at the foothills of snow-covered peaks of Kashmir near the Chenab river. It is the capital of Sialkot District. The city is about north-west of Lahore and only a few kilometers from Indian-controlled Jammu.The...
sector at the Battle of Chawinda
Battle of Chawinda
The Battle of Chawinda was a part of the Sialkot Campaign in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It was one of the largest tank battles since the Battle of Kursk in World War II....
. During the southern thrust of the Indian Army on the Kaloi-Phillora axis the 17 Horse
The Poona Horse
The Poona Horse is an armoured regiment in the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army. The regiment, known before independence as The Poona Horse , was raised as a regular cavalry regiment in the Bombay Presidency army of the East India Company...
commanded by Lt. Col. Tarapore advanced on the right flank. On 11 September 1965, the regiment was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing Phillora. It decided upon launching a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear. To achieve the surprise, when the regiment was thrusting forward between Phillora and Chawinda, it was suddenly counter-attacked by the Pakistani Army's heavy armour from Wazirwali.
Lt. Col. Tarapore defied the Pakistani Army's charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
battalion. Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, he remained unperturbed throughout this action. When wounded, he refused to be evacuated. On 14 September 1965, he led his regiment to capture Wazirwali.
Unmindful of his injury, he again led his regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi on 16 September 1965. In this battle his own tank was hit several times. But despite the odds, he maintained his pivots at both these places and thereby helped the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.
Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy armour and destroyed approximately sixty Pakistani Army tanks, suffering only nine tank casualties. However, Lt. Colonel Tarapore was enveloped in flames and died a hero's death. The valour displayed by him in this action, lasting 6 days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was awarded with the highest war-time gallantry medal, Param Vir Chakra
Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
, posthumously. Major Aga Humayun Khan & Major Shamshad of Pakistan Army in their article on Battle of Chawinda,which was published in Defense Journal had described Lt. Col Tarapore as a tough & brave opponent, who inspired & led the 17th Poona Horse bravely throughout the battle.
Citation
The citation for the Param Vir ChakraParam Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
awarded to him reads:
The Poona Horse
The Poona Horse is an armoured regiment in the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army. The regiment, known before independence as The Poona Horse , was raised as a regular cavalry regiment in the Bombay Presidency army of the East India Company...
On 11 September 1965, the Poona Horse Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing, Phillora in the Sialkot in Pakistan. As a preliminary to making a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear, the regiment was thrusting between Phillora and Chawinda when it was suddenly counter-attacked by the enemy's heavy armour from Wazirwali. Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore who was then at the head of his regiment, defied the enemy's charge held his ground and gallantry attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an infantry battalion. Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore remained unperturbed throughout this action, and when wounded refused to be evacuated.
On 14 September 1965, though still wounded he again led his regiment to capture Wazirwali. Such was his grit and determination that unmindful of his injury he, again gallantry led his regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur – Dograndi on 16 September. His own tank was hit several times, but despite the odds he maintained his pivots in both these places and thereby allowed the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.
Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy's heavy armour destroying approximately 60 enemy tanks at a cost of only 9 tank casualties, and when Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore was mortally wounded the regiment continue to defy the enemy.
The valour displayed by Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore in this heroic again, which lasted six days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
See also
- Jai Hind Jai Bharat
- Arun KhetarpalArun KhetarpalSecond Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC born in Pune, Maharashtra, was an officer of the Indian Army and a posthumous recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration for valour in face of the enemy...
- Param Vir ChakraParam Vir ChakraThe Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously....
- The Poona HorseThe Poona HorseThe Poona Horse is an armoured regiment in the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army. The regiment, known before independence as The Poona Horse , was raised as a regular cavalry regiment in the Bombay Presidency army of the East India Company...