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{{Short description|Indian military officer (c.1916–2013)}}
{{Short description|Indian military officer (1916–2013)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
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| image =
| image =
| image_size = 200px
| image_size = 200px
| caption =
| caption = Brigadier Gurbux Singh in uniform.
| birth_date = c. 1916
| birth_date = c. 1916
| death_date = 2013 (age 97)
| death_date = 2013 (age 97)
| birth_place = [[New Delhi]], [[British India]]
| birth_place = [[Hadali]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British India]]
| allegiance = {{Flag|India}}
| allegiance = {{Flag|India}}
| branch = {{Army|India}}
| branch = {{Army|India}}
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| commands = [[48th Indian Infantry Brigade]]
| commands = [[48th Indian Infantry Brigade]]
| battles = [[Annexation of Goa]]<br>[[1962 Sino-Indian War]]
| battles = [[Annexation of Goa]]<br>[[1962 Sino-Indian War]]
| relations = [[Khushwant Singh]] (brother)
| relations = [[Sujan Singh Hadaliwale]] (grandfather)<br>[[Sir Sobha Singh]](father)<br>Lady Sobha Singh (mother)<br>Bhagwant Singh (brother)<br>[[Khushwant Singh]] (brother)<br>[[Daljit Singh (politician)|Daljit Singh]] (brother)<br>Mohinder Kaur (sister)<br>[[Ujjal Singh|Governor Ujjal Singh]] (uncle)<br>[[Rukhsana Sultana]] (relative)
}}
}}
[[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]] '''Gurbux Singh''' (c.1916–2013) was an [[Indian Army]] [[General Officer]] who had fought in various wars such as the [[Annexation of Goa]] and was famed in his role in the [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Sino-Indian War]] and the retreat of the [[Bomdila Assembly constituency|Bomdila Pass]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Faleiro |first=Valmiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GYLyEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22gurbux+singh%22+%22goa%22+%221961%22&pg=PT153 |title=Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration |date=2023-07-24 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5708-175-7 |language=en}}</ref>
[[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]] '''Gurbux Singh''' (c.1916–2013) was an [[Indian Army]] [[General Officer]] who had fought in various wars such as the [[Annexation of Goa]] and was famed in his role in the [[Sino-Indian War|1962 Sino-Indian War]] and the retreat of the [[Bomdila Assembly constituency|Bomdila Pass]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Faleiro |first=Valmiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GYLyEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22gurbux+singh%22+%22goa%22+%221961%22&pg=PT153 |title=Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration |date=2023-07-24 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5708-175-7 |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life ==
He was the son of [[Sobha Singh (builder)|Sardar Bahadur Sir Sobha Singh]], one of the richest contractors in [[Delhi]] who built the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], [[India Gate]], [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Secretariat Building]], [[Baroda House]] and many other buildings which made him the richest man in Delhi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Khushwant |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Truth_Love_and_a_Little_Malice/gf3gpwWXje4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22younger+brother%22+%22gurbux+singh%22&pg=PA340&printsec=frontcover |title=Truth, Love and a Little Malice: An Autobiography |date=2003 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-302957-1 |language=en}}</ref>

== Military career ==

=== Annexation of Goa ===
The 4th Sikh Light Infantry spearheaded the advance to seize Margao port on 19th December, while under Brigadier Gurbux Singh the 48th Brigade followed into.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marmagoa port |url=https://pahar.in/pahar/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1991%20War%20in%20High%20Himalaya--the%20Indian%20Army%20in%20Crisis%201962%20by%20Palit%20s.pdf}}</ref> He had the main thrust line from the east, they managed to penetrate the Portuguese defenses on the coast and centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Panjim |url=https://www.vayuaerospace.in/Issue/202005311647423143.pdf}}</ref> There were some sharp firefights around [[Margao]], the main Portuguese force for protecting [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco da Gama]] having been concentrated here with some armor, artillery and engineer elements.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Faleiro |first=Valmiki |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Goa_1961/GYLyEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22vasco+da+gama%22+%22gurbux%22&pg=PT154&printsec=frontcover |title=Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration |date=2023-07-24 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5708-175-7 |language=en}}</ref> Gurbux Singh managed to capture and force [[Manuel António Vassalo e Silva]] to surrender to the Indian Army- though their group has missed the main firefights in the port.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Navhind |date=2011-12-14 |title=Goa to honour Operation Vijay heroes {{!}} The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2011/12/14/goanews/goa-news-goa-honour-operation-vijay-heroes/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 1962 Sino-Indian War ===
They were first asked to go from [[Tezpur]] to Bomdi-La in a hurry, with any transport they could find. There was oinly the 1st Madras positioned and devoid of troops.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2012-10-21 |title=Memories of a war we’d like to forget |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/memories-of-a-war-wed-like-to-forget/articleshow/16898333.cms |access-date=2024-09-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Gurbux Singh deployed the Sikh Light Infantry on the left side, they had no digging tools, machetes, mortars or heavy machinery at the time.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2012-10-22 |title=50th anniversary of 1962 India-China conflict: The Heroes of the lost war |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/50th-anniversary-of-1962-india-china-war-119291-2012-10-21 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> He was told Bomdi-la had no importance military or political by General Brij Mohan Kaul, at that time everyone was focused on Se-la, so despite Gurbux Singh's protests his troops were milked.<ref name=":0" /> He was told by Major General Anant Singh Pathania that Bomdi-la had at least 6 months to prepare its defenses since the Chinese would not attack in the season.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Gautam |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/China_Tibet_India/giEzCFIB2ZkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22gurbux+singh%22+%22bomdila%22&pg=PA188&printsec=frontcover |title=China-Tibet-India: The 1962 War and the Strategic Military Future |date=2009 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications |isbn=978-81-241-1466-7 |language=en}}</ref> Harbaksh Singh who took over for a short time also pushed for Se-la, hence more troops were dispatched.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Gautam |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/China_Tibet_India/giEzCFIB2ZkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22gurbux+singh%22+%22bomdila%22&pg=PA188&printsec=frontcover |title=China-Tibet-India: The 1962 War and the Strategic Military Future |date=2009 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications |isbn=978-81-241-1466-7 |language=en}}</ref> Later one company of Sikh LI was sent to Bhutan, one company of 1 Madras was sent to Dirang Dzong, one company of 5 Guards was sent to Poshing-la.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Kaul |first=B. M. |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.126753/page/n439/mode/2up |title=The Untold Story}}</ref> He was left with 9 companies for a defence area requiring 16, he asked for another 4 companies which was accepted but still not given.<ref name=":3" /> He was then made to give his entire 5 Guards at Poshing-La which had Chinese movement.<ref name=":1" /> He protested that there would be no brigade to defend the area, but neither Kaul nor Pathania envisaged Bomdi-la to have any relevance.<ref name=":1" />

Poshing-la was overwhelmed with the Chinese troops, the 5 Guards retreated to Thembang, they ran out of ammunition there and once again retreated back to Bomdi-la.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Praval |first=Major K. C. |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Indian_Army_After_Independence/DdxDcxj_wn4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Thembang%22+%22gurbux%22&pg=PT330&printsec=frontcover |title=Indian Army After Independence |date=1987 |publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC |isbn=978-1-935501-61-9 |language=en}}</ref> After all the commotion, he was once again told to sent two companies and two light tanks to Dirang Dzong by General Kaul regardless of the consequences.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kar |first=Hemendra Chandra |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Military_History_of_India/bsRGAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Thembang%22+%22gurbux%22&dq=%22Thembang%22+%22gurbux%22&printsec=frontcover |title=Military History of India |date=1980 |publisher=Firma KLM |isbn=978-0-8364-1588-9 |language=en}}</ref> By early November in a 16 company-brigade position there were only 4 to defend one of the most strategic posts.<ref name=":3" /> The communications line was cut off and a siege was laid on Bomdi-la.<ref name=":2" /> Later Brigadier Gurbux Singh and his troops were caught outside their fortress as he asked them to evacuate, and he was forced to fight a running battle, the Chinese occupied the hill-tops on November 17-18.<ref name=":3" /> On 20th November Brigadier Gurbux Singh after receiving communications from Bomdi-la by Indian soldiers, he came back to Bomdi-la only to find that there were no Chinese troops stationed and there were Indian soldiers there, not in defensive positions, "sitting like stragglers".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Gautam |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/China_Tibet_India/giEzCFIB2ZkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22brig+gurbux+singh%22&pg=PA181&printsec=frontcover |title=China-Tibet-India: The 1962 War and the Strategic Military Future |date=2009 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications |isbn=978-81-241-1466-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Saigal |first=J. R. |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Unfought_War_of_1962/2oEdAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=&printsec=frontcover |title=The Unfought War of 1962: The NEFA Debacle |date=1979 |publisher=Allied |language=en}}</ref> He retreated to Rupa, and then to Chaku after another clash, and then asked to shift to Tezpur out of N.E.F.A. into Assam when the Chinese retreated back to Tibet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=https://pahar.in/pahar/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1991%20War%20in%20High%20Himalaya--the%20Indian%20Army%20in%20Crisis%201962%20by%20Palit%20s.pdf |url=https://pahar.in/pahar/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1991%20War%20in%20High%20Himalaya--the%20Indian%20Army%20in%20Crisis%201962%20by%20Palit%20s.pdf}}</ref>

Almost all mistakes, according to the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Report could be attributed to who were known as the "Kaul Boys" namely [[Anant Singh Pathania]], [[Hoshiar Singh (Brigadier)|Hoshiar Singh]], [[Shaitan Singh]] and Manohar Singh were turned into heroes, but in reality all of their own severe tactical mistakes cost the Indian Army's loss, and in the case of Hoshiar Singh and Shaitan Singh, their own lives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=https://www.facebook.com/ProudArmyFans/photos/the-cowards-and-the-heroes-of-1962in-our-scriptures-it-is-written-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%82/10152629570013071/ |url=https://www.facebook.com/ProudArmyFans/photos/the-cowards-and-the-heroes-of-1962in-our-scriptures-it-is-written-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%82/10152629570013071/}}</ref> Pathania was given [[Maha Vir Chakra]], [[Military Cross]], Hoshiar Singh an [[Order of the British Empire]], [[Croix de Guerre]], [[Indian Order of Merit]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal]] and Shaitan Singh was given a [[Param Vir Chakra]] due to Kaul's influence over Nehru (as they were relatives).<ref>{{Cite web |title=https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/HCs4SMg2ojRh1T024T1KxO/1962-war-debaclethe-errors-Jawaharlal-Nehru-made.html |url=https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/HCs4SMg2ojRh1T024T1KxO/1962-war-debaclethe-errors-Jawaharlal-Nehru-made.html}}</ref> Brigadier Gurbux Singh and Major Megh Singh Rathore were made scapegoats and court-martialed despite not having done any costly mistakes on their own throughout war, and most mistakes were from bad communications and orders from higher authorities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-11-26 |title=Reasons for the Bomdila debacle |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/reasons-for-the-bomdila-debacle/articleshow/29487817.cms |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>


== Death ==
== Death ==
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== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
<references />
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]

Latest revision as of 20:59, 1 October 2024

Brigadier

Gurbux Singh
Bornc. 1916
Hadali, Punjab Province, British India
Died2013 (age 97)
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Army
Rank Brigadier
Unit48th Indian Infantry Brigade
4th Infantry Division (India)
Commands48th Indian Infantry Brigade
Battles / warsAnnexation of Goa
1962 Sino-Indian War
RelationsKhushwant Singh (brother)

Brigadier Gurbux Singh (c.1916–2013) was an Indian Army General Officer who had fought in various wars such as the Annexation of Goa and was famed in his role in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the retreat of the Bomdila Pass.[1]

Death

[edit]

He passed away in New Delhi at the age of 97.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Faleiro, Valmiki (24 July 2023). Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5708-175-7.
  2. ^ https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-jalandhar/20131230/282153584114166. Retrieved 9 April 2024 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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