Kumaon Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiment
s of the Indian Army
. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army
and the Indian Army
, including the two world wars. Kumaon gets its recruits from Kumaonis of Kumaon division
and Ahir from the plains.
by the British. The achievements of the regiment are a living testimony of their martial traditions.
from the early 19th century. They often moved to other states in search of military service, including in the service of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The Nizam's Contingent was formed when Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley
, brother of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
, became Governor-General of India
and formed a plan to rid India of French influence. His first action, on arriving in India in 1798, was to effect the disbandment of the Indian units of the Nizam under the command of Monsieur Raymond and officered by non-British Europeans. These soldiers were formed into the British officered Nizam's Contingent that fought at the Battle of Seringapatam
in 1799 against Tippu Sultan in the final battle of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
.
In 1813, Sir Henry Russell, then British Resident in the court of izam of Hyderabad], raised the Russell Brigade comprising two battalions. Later, four more battalions were raised and they were known as the Berar Infantry. In addition, two battalions known as the Elichpur Brigade, were raised by Nawab Salabat Khan, Subedar of Berar, as a part of the Nizam's forces. The men of the Russell Brigade were chiefly Hindu
s, recruited from Oudh and other parts of Uttar Pradesh
.
By 1853, at the time of the signing of a treaty between the Nizam and the British, the Nizam's forces consisted of 8 battalions. The force was renamed as the Hyderabad Contingent, and became part of the British Indian Army.
During World War I
, a Kumaon Battalion was raised at Ranikhet
on 23 October, 1917 as 4/39th Kumaon Rifles. In 1918, it was redesignated as 1st battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles and a second battalion was raised. These were merged with the Hyderabad Contingent into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment
in 1923. Some units of the regiment were demobilized after World War I, but the regiment was again expanded during World War II.
On 27 October 1945, the 19th Hyderabad was renamed as 19 Kumaon Regiment. Post-independence, it has been known as the Kumaon Regiment.
was raised and affiliated with the Kumaon Regiment. Kumaon has produced three Indian Army Chiefs: General Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh
(4 Kumaon), General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya (4 Kumaon) and General Tapishwar Narain Raina
(14 Kumaon).
1 Kumaon, originally raised in March 1813, converted to the airborne role in 1946 but remained a part of Regiment till April 1952 when it was formally inducted into the Parachute Regiment
as 3 Para.
14 Kumaon, converted to Mechanised Infantry role, and was transferred to the Mechanised Infantry Regiment
, as its 5th Battalion.
World War I
During World War I, the first all Kumaoni battalions were raised. The first was formed in 1917 as the 4/39th (Kumaon) Royal Garhwal Rifles and redesignated in 1918 as the 1st Battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles. A 2nd Battalion was also raised in 1918 but disbanded in 1923. The Hyderabad Contingent, with its mixed Kumaoni, Jats, Ahirs and Deccan Muslims, continued and fought with distinction in the Great War. In 1922, during the Indian Army reorganisation, the six regiments of the Hyderabad Contingent were renamed as the 19th Hyderabad Regiment and infantry companies formed from the Kumaon region replaced many of the Deccan Muslim based companies. In 1923 the 1/50th Kumaon Rifles joined the 19th Hyderabad Regiment as the 1st Kumaon Rifles. In 1935 the battalion commanders attempted to have the regiment renamed as the 19th Kumaon Regiment, due to the diminishing links to the Deccan and Hyderabad regions. The request was refused.
World War II
The 19th Hyderabad Regiment
in 1939 consisted of four regular battalions; the 1st (Russell's), 2nd (Berar), 4th and The Kumaon Rifles. The Hyderabads expanded during the war adding another eight battalions to the 19th Hyderabad Regiment. Two more battalions, the 1st and 2nd Hyderabad Infantry, were raised as part of the Indian State Forces. The battalions of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment fought in the Middle East
, North African Campaign
, Persia
, Battle of Malaya
, Battle of Singapore
and Burma Campaign
.
The Kumaon Rifles were based in Hong Kong
at the beginning of the Second World War but were transferred to the Middle East as part of the 24th Indian Infantry Brigade
. The battalion took part in the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
in 1941 under Major-General William Slim. They remained in Persia as part of the garrison throughout the rest of the war.
The 4th Battalion was part of the 12th Indian Infantry Brigade based in Malaya
when the Japan
ese Army invaded in December 1941. The 4/19th Hyderabads were one of the few battalions in Malaya that were relatively well trained in jungle warfare. Although the battalion performed well in the fighting retreat in north-west Malaya, they were practically annihilated at the disastrous Battle of Slim River
on 7 January 1942. The few survivors of the 4th Battalion were withdrawn to Singapore
where they took part in the brief defence of the island
before it surrendered on 15 February 1942.
without any artillery or aerial support.
The Chinese retaliated with wave after wave of human bodies and artillery. The Kumaonis were vastly outnumbered by over 10 to 1, but held the ground and repulsed every attack until all their ammunition was exhausted, without any logistical support. They then engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and fought to the last man and bullet. Five times as many Chinese soldiers died in the battle. The Chinese succeeded in retaking the defences when there was no Kumaoni left standing.
Five Vir Chakra
s were awarded to 6 KUMAON soldiers for the battle. The Battalion celebrates November 14 as Walong Day.
, Ladakh
. This has been placed in the ten most heroic stands in history along with the Battle of Saragarhi and Battle of the Alamo
. Of the 118 men at Rezang La
, 109 men laid down their lives, 5 men were captured and only 4 men returned alive.
Major Shaitan Singh, commanding officer of the C Company, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra
for his exemplary leadership during the battle.
Battle of Chhamb
To preempt Pakistani attacks into India, a Kumaon battalion was advanced into to Mandiala Heights in West Pakistan at August end, 1965. Before they had the chance to setup any defences, the Pakistan Army started a major offensive in the Chhamb sector in the early hours of 1 September, accompanied by massive artillery shelling targeting the Kumaon battalion's positions. There followed an armored thrust by 2 Pakistani armored divisions. Faced with enemy advancing from 3 sides, the battalion held off for a day and a half. On 2 September the battalion was ordered to withdraw, after they had destroyed 4 Pakistani tanks. One Vir Chakra was awarded for the action.
consisted of units of the Kumaon Regiment and the Ladakh Scouts. It was led by Major R.S. Sandhu, who was awarded the Vir Chakra for his leadership. Captain Sanjay Kulkarni's unit was the first to land on Bilafond La
and hoist the Indian tricolour. Kumaon units were instrumental in Indian success in capturing the glacier and repelling Pakistani attempts to retake it.
Anticipating a Pakistani attack on the glacier at the start of the spring thaw in 1984, a full Kumaon battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier) D.K. Khanna, marched on foot with full packs and equipment for weeks in the dead of the winter across Zoji La
, through the world's toughest terrain, highest altitudes and most forbidding climate. Naik (later Subedar/Honorary Captain) Ram Mehar Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra
for his gallant role during the move. This turned out to be a vital move that enabled Indian victory in Operation Meghdoot.
during Operation Pawan
. A Kumaon battalion was the first Indian Army unit to land in Jaffna
at the Palali airfield. It successfully cleared the Kokuvil area, and moving to Mallakam. A number of LTTE militants were killed or captured.
Another battalion was deployed to search and destroy LTTE camps in the Kumurupiddi and Irrakandi areas of the Trincomalee
Sector. Among the areas in which Kumaon units were deployed and operated included Kilividdi of Muttur Sector, Sampur, Vellvutturai and Point Pedro
.
to oust Pakistani Army regulars who had infiltrated the Kargil
sector posing as insurgents. In difficult terrain and hostile weather conditions, they cleared and captured a number of altitude features. The regiment was honored with a number of gallantry awards for the operations.
The Kumaon regiment also has affiliated to it three battalions (third Bn the Naga Regt is recently raised)of the Naga Regiment
and two Territorial Army units (the 111 Infantry Battalion and the 130 Infantry Battalion), a naval ship and an airforce squadron.
Furthermore, the following regiments were also associated with this regiment at one time:
s, 4 Ashoka Chakra
s, 10 Maha Vir Chakra
s, 6 Kirti Chakra
s, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakra
s, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23 Shaurya Chakra
s, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medal
s, 2 Sena Medals and Bar, 8 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 PV, 2 PB, 1 PS, 1 AW and 36 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Param Vir Chakra
Major Somnath Sharma, 4th Kumaon, was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra
(Posthumous), for the Regiment in October 1947. He was also the first individual, from the three Services, to receive the Param Vir Chakra - India's highest award for gallantry. Major Shaitan Singh
, 13th Kumaon, was the second recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), in November 1962.
Maha Vir Chakra
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s of the Indian Army
Indian 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...
. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
and the Indian Army
Indian 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...
, including the two world wars. Kumaon gets its recruits from Kumaonis of Kumaon division
Kumaon Division
For Kumaoni/Kumauni People see Kumauni PeopleKumaon or Kumaun is one of the two regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. It includes the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar...
and Ahir from the plains.
Martial History of Kumaonis
Kumaonis have been famous for their valour, their legendary courage and their indomitable honour. The Kumaonis were never fully subjugated by the powerful Muslim dynasties of Delhi. They often offered their martial services as mercenaries, and fought on both the British as well as Gurkha sides in the Anglo-Nepalese War. Their valour was recognized by the British and they were enlisted in the British Army. Interestingly, the famous 3rd Gurkha regiment was known as the Keemaon battalion when it was formed and included Kumaonis along with the Gurkhas. They were classified as a Martial RaceMartial Race
Martial Race was a designation created by Army officials of British India, where they classified each ethnic group into one of two categories: 'Martial' and 'Non-Martial'. A 'martial race' was typically considered brave and well built for fighting. The 'non-martial races' were those whom the...
by the British. The achievements of the regiment are a living testimony of their martial traditions.
Origins in the Hyderabad Contingent
The Kumaonis were in the military of the East India CompanyEast India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
from the early 19th century. They often moved to other states in search of military service, including in the service of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The Nizam's Contingent was formed when Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley
Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley
Richard Colley Wesley, later Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, KG, PC, PC , styled Viscount Wellesley from birth until 1781, was an Anglo-Irish politician and colonial administrator....
, brother of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
, became Governor-General of India
Governor-General of India
The Governor-General of India was the head of the British administration in India, and later, after Indian independence, the representative of the monarch and de facto head of state. The office was created in 1773, with the title of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William...
and formed a plan to rid India of French influence. His first action, on arriving in India in 1798, was to effect the disbandment of the Indian units of the Nizam under the command of Monsieur Raymond and officered by non-British Europeans. These soldiers were formed into the British officered Nizam's Contingent that fought at the Battle of Seringapatam
Battle of Seringapatam
The Siege of Seringapatam was the final confrontation of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore. The British achieved a decisive victory after breaching the walls of the fortress at Seringapatam and storming the citadel. Tippu Sultan, Mysore's...
in 1799 against Tippu Sultan in the final battle of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War was a war in South India between the Sultanate of Mysore and the British East India Company under the Earl of Mornington....
.
In 1813, Sir Henry Russell, then British Resident in the court of izam of Hyderabad], raised the Russell Brigade comprising two battalions. Later, four more battalions were raised and they were known as the Berar Infantry. In addition, two battalions known as the Elichpur Brigade, were raised by Nawab Salabat Khan, Subedar of Berar, as a part of the Nizam's forces. The men of the Russell Brigade were chiefly Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s, recruited from Oudh and other parts of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
.
By 1853, at the time of the signing of a treaty between the Nizam and the British, the Nizam's forces consisted of 8 battalions. The force was renamed as the Hyderabad Contingent, and became part of the British Indian Army.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, a Kumaon Battalion was raised at Ranikhet
Ranikhet
Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town in Almora district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the home for the Military Hospital, Kumaon Regiment & Naga Regiment and is maintained by the Indian Army....
on 23 October, 1917 as 4/39th Kumaon Rifles. In 1918, it was redesignated as 1st battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles and a second battalion was raised. These were merged with the Hyderabad Contingent into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment
19th Hyderabad Regiment
The 19th Hyderabad Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed following the post World War I reforms of the Indian Army when they moved from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
in 1923. Some units of the regiment were demobilized after World War I, but the regiment was again expanded during World War II.
On 27 October 1945, the 19th Hyderabad was renamed as 19 Kumaon Regiment. Post-independence, it has been known as the Kumaon Regiment.
Regimental History
On 1 November 1970, the Naga RegimentNaga Regiment
The Naga Regiment is the youngest Regiment of the Indian Army. In 1970, the First Battalion of the Naga Regiment was raised in Ranikhet.-Formation:...
was raised and affiliated with the Kumaon Regiment. Kumaon has produced three Indian Army Chiefs: General Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh
Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh
General Satyawant Mallannah Shrinagesh , commonly known as S. M. Shrinagesh, served as 3rd Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 14 May 1955 till 7 May 1957...
(4 Kumaon), General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya (4 Kumaon) and General Tapishwar Narain Raina
Tapishwar Narain Raina
Tapishwar Narain Raina was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during 1975-78. Later he served as High Commissioner to Canada.Early life and Education...
(14 Kumaon).
1 Kumaon, originally raised in March 1813, converted to the airborne role in 1946 but remained a part of Regiment till April 1952 when it was formally inducted into the Parachute Regiment
Parachute Regiment (India)
-History:The first Indian airborne formation was the 50 Independent Parachute Brigade raised on 29 October 1941 with 151 British, 152 Indian, and 153 Gurkha Parachute Battalions and other support units....
as 3 Para.
14 Kumaon, converted to Mechanised Infantry role, and was transferred to the Mechanised Infantry Regiment
Mechanised Infantry Regiment
The Mechanised Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It is one of the youngest regiments in the army, and though it was formed as a result of lessons learned in the 1965 Indo-Pak War, to give infantry battalions greater mobility, it was the mastermind of late Gen K Sundarji...
, as its 5th Battalion.
World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
During World War I, the first all Kumaoni battalions were raised. The first was formed in 1917 as the 4/39th (Kumaon) Royal Garhwal Rifles and redesignated in 1918 as the 1st Battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles. A 2nd Battalion was also raised in 1918 but disbanded in 1923. The Hyderabad Contingent, with its mixed Kumaoni, Jats, Ahirs and Deccan Muslims, continued and fought with distinction in the Great War. In 1922, during the Indian Army reorganisation, the six regiments of the Hyderabad Contingent were renamed as the 19th Hyderabad Regiment and infantry companies formed from the Kumaon region replaced many of the Deccan Muslim based companies. In 1923 the 1/50th Kumaon Rifles joined the 19th Hyderabad Regiment as the 1st Kumaon Rifles. In 1935 the battalion commanders attempted to have the regiment renamed as the 19th Kumaon Regiment, due to the diminishing links to the Deccan and Hyderabad regions. The request was refused.World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
The 19th Hyderabad Regiment19th Hyderabad Regiment
The 19th Hyderabad Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed following the post World War I reforms of the Indian Army when they moved from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
in 1939 consisted of four regular battalions; the 1st (Russell's), 2nd (Berar), 4th and The Kumaon Rifles. The Hyderabads expanded during the war adding another eight battalions to the 19th Hyderabad Regiment. Two more battalions, the 1st and 2nd Hyderabad Infantry, were raised as part of the Indian State Forces. The battalions of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment fought in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, North African Campaign
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
, Persia
Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran was the Allied invasion of the Imperial State of Iran during World War II, by British, Commonwealth, and Soviet armed forces. The invasion from August 25 to September 17, 1941, was codenamed Operation Countenance...
, Battle of Malaya
Battle of Malaya
The Malayan Campaign was a campaign fought by Allied and Japanese forces in Malaya, from 8 December 1941 – 31 January 1942 during the Second World War. The campaign was dominated by land battles between British Commonwealth army units, and the Imperial Japanese Army...
, Battle of Singapore
Battle of Singapore
The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the Second World War when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in Southeast Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East"...
and Burma Campaign
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
.
The Kumaon Rifles were based in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
at the beginning of the Second World War but were transferred to the Middle East as part of the 24th Indian Infantry Brigade
24th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 24th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in February 1941, in India and at first assigned to the 10th Indian Infantry Division, and fought in the Anglo-Iraqi War. The brigade was transferred to the 8th Indian Infantry...
. The battalion took part in the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran was the Allied invasion of the Imperial State of Iran during World War II, by British, Commonwealth, and Soviet armed forces. The invasion from August 25 to September 17, 1941, was codenamed Operation Countenance...
in 1941 under Major-General William Slim. They remained in Persia as part of the garrison throughout the rest of the war.
The 4th Battalion was part of the 12th Indian Infantry Brigade based in Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
when the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Army invaded in December 1941. The 4/19th Hyderabads were one of the few battalions in Malaya that were relatively well trained in jungle warfare. Although the battalion performed well in the fighting retreat in north-west Malaya, they were practically annihilated at the disastrous Battle of Slim River
Battle of Slim River
The Battle of Slim River occurred during the Malayan campaign in January 1942 between the Imperial Japanese Army and the British Indian Army on the west coast of Malaya.-Background:...
on 7 January 1942. The few survivors of the 4th Battalion were withdrawn to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
where they took part in the brief defence of the island
Battle of Singapore
The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the Second World War when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in Southeast Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East"...
before it surrendered on 15 February 1942.
Battle of Walong
This was the only battle of the war in which an Indian unit attacked the Chinese, rather than defending. On 14 November 1962, 6 KUMAON single-handedly attacked and captured Chinese defenses in the Walong sector, Arunachal PradeshArunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
without any artillery or aerial support.
The Chinese retaliated with wave after wave of human bodies and artillery. The Kumaonis were vastly outnumbered by over 10 to 1, but held the ground and repulsed every attack until all their ammunition was exhausted, without any logistical support. They then engaged in hand-to-hand combat, and fought to the last man and bullet. Five times as many Chinese soldiers died in the battle. The Chinese succeeded in retaking the defences when there was no Kumaoni left standing.
Five Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
s were awarded to 6 KUMAON soldiers for the battle. The Battalion celebrates November 14 as Walong Day.
Battle of Rezang La
Among the many heroic exploits to the regiment's credit is the last stand of Company C, 13 Kumaon Regiment, at Rezang LaRezang La
Rezang La is a pass on the south-eastern approach to Chushul Valley in India. It is 3,000 yards long and 2,000 yards wide at an average height of 16,000 feet.-Overview:...
, Ladakh
Ladakh
Ladakh is a region of Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of the Republic of India. It lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent...
. This has been placed in the ten most heroic stands in history along with the Battle of Saragarhi and Battle of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
. Of the 118 men at Rezang La
Rezang La
Rezang La is a pass on the south-eastern approach to Chushul Valley in India. It is 3,000 yards long and 2,000 yards wide at an average height of 16,000 feet.-Overview:...
, 109 men laid down their lives, 5 men were captured and only 4 men returned alive.
Major Shaitan Singh, commanding officer of the C Company, was posthumously awarded the 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 exemplary leadership during the battle.
Battle of Kumaon Hill
Two companies of Kumaon captured Kumaon Hill after ousting companies of 23 Azad Kashmir Battalion and the Special Service Group from the heights on 21 September. Captain Surendra Shah and Naik Chander Singh were awarded the Vir Chakra for the battle.Battle of Maharajke
On 07 September, 1965 a Kumaon battalion attacked and captured a Pakistan Army stronghold in village Pagowal, 13 miles inside West Pakistan. On 07 September, 9 KUMAON, under the command Capt V K Bogra further advanced and captured Maharajke. Naik Ganesh Dutt of the 9 Kumaon was awarded the Vir Chakra for his role in capturing Maharjke against Pakistani defenses.Battle of ChhambBattle of Chamb and DograThe post of Borajal is at the intersection of Pakistan Azad Kashmir and Occupied Kashmir at the height of 950 feet from sea level. The surrounding area is flat also the border of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir make this point very important from Indian defensive point of view the whole can be scanned...
To preempt Pakistani attacks into India, a Kumaon battalion was advanced into to Mandiala Heights in West Pakistan at August end, 1965. Before they had the chance to setup any defences, the Pakistan Army started a major offensive in the Chhamb sector in the early hours of 1 September, accompanied by massive artillery shelling targeting the Kumaon battalion's positions. There followed an armored thrust by 2 Pakistani armored divisions. Faced with enemy advancing from 3 sides, the battalion held off for a day and a half. On 2 September the battalion was ordered to withdraw, after they had destroyed 4 Pakistani tanks. One Vir Chakra was awarded for the action.Indo-Pakistan War of 1971
Kumaon battalions were deployed and fought on both the Eastern and the Western fronts during the war.Operation Meghdoot
The Indian Army's initiative to hold the Siachen GlacierSiachen Glacier
The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains at about , just east of the Line of Control between India-Pakistan. India controls all of the Siachen Glacier itself, including all tributary glaciers. At long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and...
consisted of units of the Kumaon Regiment and the Ladakh Scouts. It was led by Major R.S. Sandhu, who was awarded the Vir Chakra for his leadership. Captain Sanjay Kulkarni's unit was the first to land on Bilafond La
Bilafond La
Bilafond La , also known as the Saltoro Pass, is a mountain pass situated on Saltoro Ridge, sitting immediately west of the vast Siachen Glacier, some directly north of map point NJ 980420 which defined the end of the 1972 Line of Control between Pakistan and India as part of the Simla...
and hoist the Indian tricolour. Kumaon units were instrumental in Indian success in capturing the glacier and repelling Pakistani attempts to retake it.
Anticipating a Pakistani attack on the glacier at the start of the spring thaw in 1984, a full Kumaon battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier) D.K. Khanna, marched on foot with full packs and equipment for weeks in the dead of the winter across Zoji La
Zoji La
Zoji La is a high mountain pass in India, located on the Indian National Highway 1 between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain range. Though often referred to as Zojila Pass in the foreign press, the correct English translation is Zoji Pass or simply Zojila, since...
, through the world's toughest terrain, highest altitudes and most forbidding climate. Naik (later Subedar/Honorary Captain) Ram Mehar Singh was awarded the Shaurya Chakra
Shaurya Chakra
The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra...
for his gallant role during the move. This turned out to be a vital move that enabled Indian victory in Operation Meghdoot.
Operation Pawan
Kumaon units were deployed to Sri LankaSri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
during Operation Pawan
Operation Pawan
Operation Pawan was the codename assigned to the operation by the Indian Peace Keeping Force to take control of Jaffna from the LTTE , in late 1987 to enforce the disarmament of the LTTE as a part of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord...
. A Kumaon battalion was the first Indian Army unit to land in Jaffna
Jaffna
Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical...
at the Palali airfield. It successfully cleared the Kokuvil area, and moving to Mallakam. A number of LTTE militants were killed or captured.
Another battalion was deployed to search and destroy LTTE camps in the Kumurupiddi and Irrakandi areas of the Trincomalee
Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a port city in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka and lies on the east coast of the island, about 113 miles south of Jaffna. It has a population of approximately 100,000 . The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. Overlooking the Kottiyar Bay,...
Sector. Among the areas in which Kumaon units were deployed and operated included Kilividdi of Muttur Sector, Sampur, Vellvutturai and Point Pedro
Point Pedro
Point Pedro is the northernmost town of the island of Sri Lanka. The agriculturally active area around Point Pedro with fertile calcic red latosols is known for its cotton production. The eastern coast of Point Pedro is a 3-mile-broad beach with huge sand dunes up to 100 feet height, extending...
.
Kargil War
Kumaon units were deployed during Operation VijayOperation Vijay (1999)
In the 1999 Kargil Conflict between India and Pakistan, Operation Vijay was the name of the successful Indian operation to push back the infiltrators from the Kargil Sector...
to oust Pakistani Army regulars who had infiltrated the Kargil
Kargil
' :* Kargil district, in Ladakh, Indian-administered Kashmir* Kargil town, the chief town of the district* Kargil War, a 1999 armed conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district...
sector posing as insurgents. In difficult terrain and hostile weather conditions, they cleared and captured a number of altitude features. The regiment was honored with a number of gallantry awards for the operations.
Units
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- 5th Battalion
- 6th Battalion
- 7th Battalion
- 8th Battalion
- 9th Battalion
- 11th Battalion
> - 12th Battalion
- 13th Battalion [ REZANG LA ]
- 15th Battalion
- 16th Battalion
- 17th Battalion (ex-31st Battalion)
- 18th Battalion
- 19th Battalion
- 20th Battalion
- 21st Battalion
- Kumaon Scouts
The Kumaon regiment also has affiliated to it three battalions (third Bn the Naga Regt is recently raised)of the Naga Regiment
Naga Regiment
The Naga Regiment is the youngest Regiment of the Indian Army. In 1970, the First Battalion of the Naga Regiment was raised in Ranikhet.-Formation:...
and two Territorial Army units (the 111 Infantry Battalion and the 130 Infantry Battalion), a naval ship and an airforce squadron.
Furthermore, the following regiments were also associated with this regiment at one time:
- 1st Battalion - Now the 3rd Parachute
- 10th Battalion - Now the Kumaon Regimental Centre
- 14th Battalion - Now the 5th Mech. Inf
Battle honours
- Srinagar (Badgam)
- Rezang La
- Gadra City
- Bhaduria
- Daudkandi
- Sanjoi Mirpur
- Shamsher Nagar
Decorations
The regiment has won 2 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....
s, 4 Ashoka Chakra
Ashoka Chakra Award
The Ashok Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other...
s, 10 Maha Vir Chakra
Maha Vir Chakra
The Maha Vir Chakra is the second highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It may be awarded posthumously. Literally Maha Veer means extraordinarily brave.-Appearance:The medal is made...
s, 6 Kirti Chakra
Kirti Chakra
The Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra...
s, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
s, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23 Shaurya Chakra
Shaurya Chakra
The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra...
s, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medal
Sena Medal
This article is about the Sena Medal, an Indian Military decoration. 'SM' redirects here The Sena Medal is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army." Awards may be made...
s, 2 Sena Medals and Bar, 8 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 PV, 2 PB, 1 PS, 1 AW and 36 Vishisht Seva Medals.
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....
- Major Somnath Sharma (Posthumous), 4 Kumaon, Badgam, Kashmir, Indo-Pakistan War of 1947
- Major Shaitan SinghShaitan SinghMajor Shaitan Singh was an Indian soldier, who was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for his leadership and courage during the Sino-Indian War of 1962.-Background:...
, (Posthumous), 13 Kumaon, Chushul, Ladakh, Sino-Indian War of 1962
Major Somnath Sharma, 4th Kumaon, was the first recipient of the 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....
(Posthumous), for the Regiment in October 1947. He was also the first individual, from the three Services, to receive the Param Vir Chakra - India's highest award for gallantry. Major Shaitan Singh
Shaitan Singh
Major Shaitan Singh was an Indian soldier, who was awarded Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal, posthumously, for his leadership and courage during the Sino-Indian War of 1962.-Background:...
, 13th Kumaon, was the second recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), in November 1962.
Ashoka Chakra
- Major Bhukant Mishra (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon, June 1984, Operation Blue StarOperation Blue StarOperation Blue Star ) 3– 6 June 1984 was an Indian military operation, ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India, to remove Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar...
, AmritsarAmritsarAmritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, PunjabPunjab (India)Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the... - Naik Nirbhay Singh (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon, June 1984, Operation Blue Star, Amritsar, Punjab
- Subedar Sujjan Singh (Posthumous), 13 Kumaon, 1994, Operation Rakshak,Zalurah, Kupwara, J&K, India
- Naik Rambeer Singh Tomar (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon (on deputation to 26 Rashtriya Rifles), Doda, Jammu and Kashmir
Maha Vir ChakraMaha Vir ChakraThe Maha Vir Chakra is the second highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It may be awarded posthumously. Literally Maha Veer means extraordinarily brave.-Appearance:The medal is made...
- Lieutenant Colonel Dharam Singh, Indo-Pakistan War of 1947
- Sepoy Man Singh (Posthumous), Indo-Pakistan War of 1947
- Naik Nar Singh (Posthumous), Indo-Pakistan War of 1947
- Sepoy Dewan Singh, Indo-Pakistan War of 1947
- Major Malikiat Singh Brar (Posthumous), Indo-Pakistan War of 1947
- Brigadier (later General) Tapishwar Narayan Raina, Sino-Indian War of 1962
Colonels of the Regiment
- Maj. Gen. SB Pope DSO, CB - August 28, 1931 to May 31, 1949
- Gen. KS Thimayya Padma Bhushan, DSO - June 01, 1949 to May 08, 1961
- Lt. Gen. Kunwar Bahadur Singh MBE - May 16, 1961 to May 15, 1971Kanwar Bahadur SinghLieutenant-General Kanwar Bahadur Singh, MBE, was a senior officer in the Indian Army.-Early life and education:...
- Gen. TN Raina Padma Bhushan, MVC - May 16, 1971 to May 31, 1978Tapishwar Narain RainaTapishwar Narain Raina was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during 1975-78. Later he served as High Commissioner to Canada.Early life and Education...
- Lt. Gen. PN Kathpalia PVSM, AVSM - June 01, 1978 to October 31, 1985
- Lt. Gen. RN Mahajan PVSM, AVSM - November 01, 1985 to July 31, 1991
- Lt. Gen. DD Saklani PVSM, AVSM - August 01, 1991 to December 31, 1993
- Lt. Gen. MM Lakhera PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC - June 01, 1994 to October 31, 1995MM LakheraLieutenant General Madan Mohan Lakhera, PVSM, AVSM, VSM is the former Governor of the Indian state of Mizoram. He has held that position since July 2006. Previously, he was the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Pondicherry from 2004 to 2006...
- Maj. Gen. Surendra Shah VrC, VSM - November 01, 1995 to July 31, 2001
- Maj. Gen. AK Sarwate AVSM - August 01, 2001 to February 28, 2003
- Lt. Gen. AS Bahia PVSM, AVSM** - March 01, 2003 to