Indian Army Kumaon Regiment

Martial Race

Kumaonis have been famous for their valour, their courage was legendary, their honour indomitable. The Kumaonis were never fully subjugated by the powerful Muslim dynasties of Delhi. Kumaonis were observed by the British, their valour was thus given recognition by the British and were included in the British Army. It is interesting to note that the 3rd Gorkha Rifles was known as the Keemaon battalion when it was formed and it included Kumaonis as well as the Garhwalis along with the Gorkhas. The Kumaonis, once accepted as a martial race, were themselves to be recruited in the Hyderabad regiment and displace the native troops, ultimately becoming the Kumaon Regiment after Independence of India. The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins with the British Indian Army and has fought in various campaigns including the two world wars. After independence, the regiment has fought in all major conflicts involving India. They showed their exceptional courage in the Indo-Chinese War, the Battle of Rezang La has been proverbial for valour.

Kumaon Regiment 

The Kumaon Regiment is the most decorated regiment 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.

History

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 theKeemaon battalion when it was formed and included Kumaonis along with the Gurkhas. They were classified as a Martial Race 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 Company 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 Nizam 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 Hindus, 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.

Regimental history

On 1 November 1970, the Naga 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 the regiment until April 1952 when it was formally inducted into theParachute Regiment as 3 Para.

14 Kumaon, converted to the mechanised infantry role, and was transferred to the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, as its 5th Battalion.

Engagements

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 when it fought in the Battle of Megiddo (1918). 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 Japanese 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.

Sino-Indian War of 1962

Main article: Sino-Indian War

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 Pradesh 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 Chakras were awarded to 6 Kumaon soldiers for the battle; the Battalion celebrates November 14 as Walong Day.

Battle of 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. It was the site of the famous last stand of the Ahirs of 'Charlie' Company of the 13 Kumaon during the Sino-Indian War in 1962. C Company was led by Major Shaitan Singh, who posthumously won aParam Vir Chakra for his actions. Rezang La had a very serious drawback from the Indian point of view. It was crested to Indian artillery because of an intervening feature, which meant that the Indian infantry had to make without the protective comfort of the artillery. In this action, 114 Ahirs out of a total of 123 were killed. The casualties on the Chinese side have been estimated to be more than 1000. Most of the Indian soldiers came from the Ahirwal region of Haryana (Rewari and Mahendragarh districts). A memorial was constructed near Dharuhera Chowk in Rewari city by 'Rezangla Shaurya Samiti' based at Rewari. Every year, memorial functions are held by the Samiti in collaboration with Distt administration and the Kumaon Regiment. Family members of those who sacrificed their lives at Rezangla are also involved in memorial functions.

Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon was tasked with the defence of Rezang La, situated on the South East approach to the valley, town and airfield of Chushul in Ladakh. The Company area was defended by three platoon positions but the surrounding terrain isolated it from the rest of the Regiment. Their defensive positions were ‘crested’ for Indian artillery, meaning, thereby that these troops could not hope for artillery fire support if and when needed as the artillery was behind a hill feature and could not train its guns on the target. The Chinese suffered no such disadvantage and brought on heavy artillery fire on the 13 Kumaon’s Charlie Company.

“It was a cold winter morning at 16000 feet with icy winds howling through Rezang La … biting and benumbing.” The expected Chinese attack came through a ‘Nullah’, a dry river bed, but was repulsed with heavy machine gun fire by the brave Ahirs(Yadavs) of Charlie Company. The enemy regrouped and attacked again and again with ever more reinforcements and finally managed to overrun the position.114 of the 123 Jawans (soldiers) were killed. Almost everyone had fought to the last round and killed many more enemy soldiers. One estimate of Chinese casualties is close to 500 killed and wounded.

Unmindful of own safety, Major Shaitan Singh, the Company Commander, went from post to post raising the morale of his men and continued to fight even after being seriously wounded. “While he was being evacuated by two of his comrades, the Chinese brought heavy machine gun fire on them. Major Shaitan Singh sensed danger to their lives and ordered them to leave him to his fate.” They placed him behind a boulder on the slopes of a hill, where he breathed his last and this is where he was found some days after the battle.

Maj. Gen. Ian Cardozo, himself a Vir Chakra winner, writes in his Param Vir Chakra, Our heroes in Battle, that “When Rezang La was later revisited dead Jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons ... every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullet or splinter wounds. The 2-inch mortar man died with a bomb still in his hand. The medical orderly had a syringe and bandage in his hands when the Chinese bullet hit him... Of the thousand mortar bombs with the defenders all but seven had been fired and the rest were ready to be fired when the (mortar) section was overrun".

Major Shaitan Singh was the second winner of the Param Veer Chakra; the first being Major Som Nath Sharma who had died on November 3, 1947 defending Srinagar airport when Pakistan invaded Jammu & Kashmir in October 1947. Both Singh and Sharma belonged to the Kumaon Regiment.

Other heroes defending Rezang La who were awarded Veer Chakras were Naik Hukum Chand (posthumous), Naik Gulab Singh Yadav, Lance Naik Ram Singh (posthumous), Subedar Ram Kumarand Subedar Ram Chander. All hailed from the Revari district of Haryana where in Gudiani village stands a memorial for these brave sons of India.

Two of the most celebrated soldiers of the Kumaon Regiment, General K.S. Thimayya and General T.N. Raina who served as Chiefs of the Indian Army, have lauded this singular achievement. Thimayya noted: "I had said many years ago that the Army must have an Ahir Regiment. The supreme sacrifice of the Charlie Company has fulfilled my expectations. I hope a suitable memorial will be built in Ahirwal in their memory so that the generations to come may seek inspiration from the immense courage and valour of their forefathers.” For his part, observed: “You rarely come across such example in the annals of world military history when braving such heavy odds, the men fought till the last bullet and the last man .Certainly the Battle of Rezang La is such a shining example."

While recalling the 1962 conflict we often refer to India’s ‘humiliating defeat’ at Chinese hands and forget that the Jawan of the Indian Army invariably fought with exceptional bravery and valour in the most trying conditions often without winter clothing and in some cases even without adequate ammunition

Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

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 7 September 1965 a Kumaon battalion attacked and captured a Pakistan Army stronghold in village Pagowal, 13 miles inside West Pakistan. On 7 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 Chhamb

To preempt Pakistani attacks into India, a Kumaon battalion was advanced into the Mandiala Heights in West Pakistan at the end of August 1965. Before they had the chance to set up any defenses, the Pakistan Army began a major offensive in the Chhamb sector during the early hours of 1 September, accompanied by massive artillery shelling targeting the Kumaon battalion's positions. There followed an armored thrust by two 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 four Pakistani tanks. One Vir Chakra was awarded for the action.

Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Main article: Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Kumaon battalions were deployed and fought on both the Eastern and the Western fronts during the war.

Operation Meghdoot

Main article: Siachen Conflict

The Indian Army's initiative to hold the Siachen Glacier 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.

Operation Pawan

Main article: Operation Pawan

Kumaon units were deployed to Sri Lanka 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.

Kargil War

Main article: Kargil War

Kumaon units were deployed during Operation Vijay 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.

Units

2nd Battalion (BERAR)

3rd Battalion <Rifles>

4th Battalion <Fighting Fourth>

5th Battalion

6th Battalion

7th Battalion

8th Battalion

9th Battalion

11th Battalion <double first veer aheer>>

12th Battalion

13th Battalion [ REZANG LA ]

15th Battalion < Indore>

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 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 Chakras, 4 Ashoka Chakras, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 6 Kirti Chakras, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23Shaurya Chakras, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medals, 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 (Posthumous), 4 Kumaon, Badgam, Kashmir, Indo-Pakistan War of 1947.

Major Shaitan Singh, (Posthumous), 13 Kumaon, Chushul, Ladakh, Sino-Indian War of 1962.

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.

Ashoka Chakra

Major Bhukant Mishra (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon, June 1984, Operation Blue Star, Amritsar, Punjab.

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 Chakra

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, 1971

Gen. TN Raina Padma Bhushan, MVC - May 16, 1971 to May 31, 1978

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, 1995

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