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===Battalions in Bakloh===
===Battalions in Bakloh===
After the 4 GR centre moved to Sabathu, the battalions of the Regiment have often served in Bakloh. In 1948, 3/4 Gorkha Rifles, which was in Jammu, was moved to Bakloh to occupy the spare accommodation in Bakloh, as the centre started to move out. While the third battalion was in Bakloh, [[Walter_Lentaigne|Maj General Walter David Alexander Lentaigne]], CB, CBE, DSO, more widely referred to as "Joe" Lentaigne, Commandant of the Indian [http://www.dssc.gov.in/cmdts/index.html Defense Services Staff College], [[Wellington_Cantonment|Wellington, Niligri hills]], [[Tamil Nadu]], and the Colonel of Regiment, 4 Gorkha Rifles, visited Bakloh on his farewell rounds and to be with the Third Battalion, which had served under him in [[World War II]] as part of the [[Chindits|Chindit Operations]]. During the visit, he made a big impression on the young Indian Officers. While reviewing the Guard of Honor he spoke with the men in fluent Nepali, reminisced about the war in Burma, and recognized those who had served with him in the war by their names and, more impressively, by their regimental numbers. <ref name=Sodhi NL 35>{{cite journal|last=Sodhi, Brigadier, Retired|first=Harinder Singh|title=At Bakloh on Commissioning|journal=Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 35|year=2012|pages=128-34|accessdate=21 May 2013|editor1-first=RPS|editor1-last=Negi, Brigadier, Retired|publisher=14 GTC|location=Sabathu}}</ref>
After the 4 GR centre moved to Sabathu, the battalions of the Regiment have often served in Bakloh. In 1948, 3/4 Gorkha Rifles, which was in Jammu, was moved to Bakloh to occupy the spare accommodation in Bakloh, as the centre started to move out. <ref name=Sodhi NL 35>{{cite journal|last=Sodhi, Brigadier, Retired|first=Harinder Singh|title=At Bakloh on Commissioning|journal=Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 35|year=2012|pages=128-34|accessdate=21 May 2013|editor1-first=RPS|editor1-last=Negi, Brigadier, Retired|publisher=14 GTC|location=Sabathu}}</ref> While the third battalion was in Bakloh, [[Walter_Lentaigne|Maj General Walter David Alexander Lentaigne]], CB, CBE, DSO, better known as "Joe" Lentaigne, who was then the Commandant of the Indian [http://www.dssc.gov.in/cmdts/index.html Defense Services Staff College], [[Wellington_Cantonment|Wellington, Niligri hills]], [[Tamil Nadu]], and the Colonel of Regiment, 4 Gorkha Rifles, visited Bakloh on his farewell rounds and to be with the Third Battalion, which had served under him during the [[Burma Campaign|Burma campaign]], as part of the [[Chindits|Chindit Operations], in [[World War II]] . During the visit, he made a big impression on the young Indian Officers. While reviewing the Guard of Honor he spoke with the men in fluent Nepali, reminisced about the war in Burma, and recognized those who had served with him in the war by their names and, more impressively, by their regimental numbers. <ref name=Sodhi NL 35>{{cite journal|last=Sodhi, Brigadier, Retired|first=Harinder Singh|title=At Bakloh on Commissioning|journal=Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 35|year=2012|pages=128-34|accessdate=21 May 2013|editor1-first=RPS|editor1-last=Negi, Brigadier, Retired|publisher=14 GTC|location=Sabathu}}</ref>


The [[The Fifth Battalion the Fourth Gorkha Rifles|Fifth Battalion (5/4 GR)]] was raised in the 1/4 GR lines, Bakloh, in 1963. It returned to Bakloh for a second tenure in 1975, and remained there till it moved to J and K in 1978. During its tenure in Bakloh, the regimental reunion was held in Bakloh. The reunion was attended by large number of officers, [[Junior commissioned officer|Junior Commissioned officers]](JCOs)s and men, including many Indian and British officers who had served in Bakloh, before the 4 GR Centre was shifted to Sabathu.<ref name=Bowyer,34>{{cite journal|last=Bowyer, Maj, Retd|first=Tony|journal=Forth Gorkha Rifle Officers Association|year=2012|volume=34|pages=50–58|accessdate=21 March 2013}}</ref>
The [[The Fifth Battalion the Fourth Gorkha Rifles|Fifth Battalion (5/4 GR)]] was raised in the 1/4 GR lines, Bakloh, in 1963, by Lt Colonel Ranjit Singh Chandel. The battalion, after a three years in NEFA, returned to Bakloh for a second tenure in 1974. On 5 June 1976, Colonel V Rajaram, formerly of 3/4 GR, succeeded Lt Colonel Jayant Pawar, as the commanding Officer. During its second tenure in Bakloh, the regimental reunion was held, in 1977. After the reunion the battalion moved to J and K in 1977. The reunion was attended by large number of officers, [[Junior commissioned officer|Junior Commissioned officers]](JCOs)s and men, including many Indian and British officers who had served in Bakloh, before the 4 GR Centre was shifted to Sabathu.<ref name=Bowyer,34>{{cite journal|last=Bowyer, Maj, Retd|first=Tony|journal=Forth Gorkha Rifle Officers Association|year=2012|volume=34|pages=50–58|accessdate=21 March 2013}}</ref>


===4 Gorkha Rifle properties===
===4 Gorkha Rifle properties===

Revision as of 09:12, 23 May 2013

Bakloh
Cantonment
Country India
StateHimachal Pradesh
DistrictChamba
Population
 (2001)
 • Total1,809
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
176301[1]
Telephone code1899 (Chamba)[2]
Vehicle registrationHP 73 (Chamba)

Bakloh is a cantonment town. It is a hill station, 4584 feet above sea level, in Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.

History

Bakloh was acquired from the Raja of Chamba, at the same time as Balun, Dalhousie Cantonment, to establish a 'Goorkha Cantonment' in 1866, for the 4th Goorkha Regiment, raised at Pithoragarh, (UP), in 1857. Bakloh remained the home and the Regimental Center and Depot, of the 4th Gorkha Rifles(GR), formerly known as the 4th Prince of Wales Own Gurkha Rifles, for 82 years, from 1866 to 1948.

4 Gorkha Rifles in Bakloh

4 GR Centre moves to Sabathu

In the wake of the Partition of India, in 1947, the regimental centres of the Indian Army were reorganized. The 4th Gorkha Rifles(GR) Regimental Center and Depot, was shifted from Bakloh, first to Dharamshala,the Centre of the 1st Gorkha Rifles, and then to Chakrata, and finally to Sabathu, Shimla Hills. In Sabathu the 4th Gorkha Rifles Centre was merged with the 1st Gorkha Rifles Centre to become the First and Forth Gorkha Training Centre (14 GTC).[3][4][5]

Bakloh Legacy

When the 4 GR Regimental Centre was moved from Bakloh " there was talk" in 1948 that the Indian Army Headquarters, in Delhi, was "ready to consider one battalion of the regiment being located" in Bakloh to look after regimental pensioners, property,and widows.[6] Many Commanding officers and several officers "did not like" the idea of reserving Bakloh for a battalion of the Regiment, and "nothing came of it."[6]

The main reservation against the idea of Bakloh being designated as reserved location for a battalion was because Bakloh lacked educational facilities, and sources of "entertainment of big cities”.[6]

Following the move of the 4 GR Regimental Centre to Sabathu, Bakloh ceased to be exclusively a 4th Gorkha Rifles station. The Barracks, and Bungalows of 1/4 GR, and 2/4 GR, eponymously referred to as 1/4 and 2/4 lines, became peace time locations for two battalion sized units through which infantry units are rotated every two-three years.

Battalions in Bakloh

After the 4 GR centre moved to Sabathu, the battalions of the Regiment have often served in Bakloh. In 1948, 3/4 Gorkha Rifles, which was in Jammu, was moved to Bakloh to occupy the spare accommodation in Bakloh, as the centre started to move out. Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). While the third battalion was in Bakloh, Maj General Walter David Alexander Lentaigne, CB, CBE, DSO, better known as "Joe" Lentaigne, who was then the Commandant of the Indian Defense Services Staff College, Wellington, Niligri hills, Tamil Nadu, and the Colonel of Regiment, 4 Gorkha Rifles, visited Bakloh on his farewell rounds and to be with the Third Battalion, which had served under him during the Burma campaign, as part of the [[Chindits|Chindit Operations], in World War II . During the visit, he made a big impression on the young Indian Officers. While reviewing the Guard of Honor he spoke with the men in fluent Nepali, reminisced about the war in Burma, and recognized those who had served with him in the war by their names and, more impressively, by their regimental numbers. Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).

The Fifth Battalion (5/4 GR) was raised in the 1/4 GR lines, Bakloh, in 1963, by Lt Colonel Ranjit Singh Chandel. The battalion, after a three years in NEFA, returned to Bakloh for a second tenure in 1974. On 5 June 1976, Colonel V Rajaram, formerly of 3/4 GR, succeeded Lt Colonel Jayant Pawar, as the commanding Officer. During its second tenure in Bakloh, the regimental reunion was held, in 1977. After the reunion the battalion moved to J and K in 1977. The reunion was attended by large number of officers, Junior Commissioned officers(JCOs)s and men, including many Indian and British officers who had served in Bakloh, before the 4 GR Centre was shifted to Sabathu.[7]

4 Gorkha Rifle properties

The 4 Gorkha Rifles has several historical regimental properties in Bakloh. These include the 4 GR memorial on the edge of the old 1/4 GR parade ground, the Lokeswar Mandir (temple), Kala Mata Mandir, battalion mandirs, Kharati lines, 1/4 GR and 2/4 GR widow's lines, and the 19th century Sealy Bungalow, which briefly housed the regimental kindergarten, but is now in state neglect and disrepair. Senior officers of the regiment have suggested that it be converted in to a 'holiday home'. [8]

The resident battalion of the Regiment is expected to take care regiment’s properties in Bakloh. In the absence of a battalion of the Regiment, the Gorkha Sabha is expected to take care of these properties for which it receives a small supplement from the Regiment.[8] To ensure better care of these and other regimental 'remains' in Bakloh, it has been suggested that these be handed over to the 'Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, for better upkeep.[8]

Regimental Memorial, Bakloh

A Regimental memorial “To commemorate the relationship with Bakloh and 4 GR , ie the Home of the 4 Gorkhas" was constructed at the entry of the parade ground, in 2003.[8] The Cantonment Board, Bakloh, was given the responsibility for its up keep, and maintenance, by the then General Officer Commanding, Mountain Division. Since then doubts have arisen on the commitment of the Cantonment Board to maintain the memorial, and its has been suggested that the Gorkha Sabha should be co-opted to ensure its care and security.[8]

Cantonment Board

Bakloh Cantonment was established in 1866. It is category IV Cantonment. The Board consists of 4 members, including 2 elected members.[9]

Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh

Structure

Majority of the Gorkha pensioners in Bakloh are from the 4th Gorkha Rifles. The Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, is a representative body of all Gorkhas in Bakloh, including Gorkha Ex-servicemen(ESM) and their dependents. The Gorkha Sabha, is a 'sister' organization of the Himachal Pradesh(HP) Gorkha Ex-Serviceman's Welfare Association, Bakloh.[10] Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Gagan Singh, Gurung, the current President of the Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, was elected on 31 December 2011.[10]

The HP Gorkha Ex-Serviceman's Welfare Association Bakloh, is registered with and part of the All India Ex-Serviceman's Welfare Association ( AIGEWA), Dehradun.[11] The Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, has close relations with the Gorkha Sabha, Dharamshala, and the Himachal and Punjab Gorkha Association, Dharamshala, the only other Gorkha ESM welfare association in HP.

Functions and Expectations

  • The President of the Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, as representative and voice of all gorkha pensioners and their dependents in Bakloh, interfaces with the Regiment, 14 Gorkha Training Centre, the five battalions of the 4GR, and the 4 Gorkha Rifles Officers Association, UK.
  • The President of the Gorkha Sabha, as head of all ex-servicemen in Bakloh, is responsible for taking up the causes and interests of the Bakloh pensioners and their dependents with the AIGEWA, and other civic and government bodies. The President of the Gorkha Sabha, attends the Annual General Body meeting of the AIGEWA, and participates in the election of its President.
  • The Gorkha Sabha is also expected to represent the Regiment in Bakloh, and take care of its properties and interests. The Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, receives assistance and grants from the 4 Gorkha Rifles, for the up keep of regimental properties in Bakloh.[8]
  • The President of the Gorkha Sabha writes an annual report, titled News From Bakloh, which is published in the 4 Gorkha Rifles Officers Association News letter. The News from Bakloh usually carries a brief account of the work of the Gorkha Sabha, the activities of its members, and its concerns. In the News from Bakloh, for 2012, the President of the Sabha, noted that ‘ Bakloh has been forgotten’ by the regiment, and that "Bakloh is developing well day by day".[10]

The Gorkha Sabha leadership has often been faulted for lack of leadership, particularly in motivating pensioners to participate in self-help community projects; mobilizing funds for its activities; and tardiness in the upkeep and securing of regimental properties. A former Commanding Officer of 2/4 Gorkha Rifles, in 2011, wrote, that his attempts in the 1980s to "improve the ‘conditions of ex servicemen'" did not make headway and that pensioners were "reluctant to tread fresh ground and were unwilling to undertake any projects."[12] Another senior officer of the Regiment,in 2011, observed that the Gorkha Sabha is a divided house with “various stake holders (from different regiments pulling in different directions”, and that the "present avatar of Gorkha Sabha is mostly on a 'begging bowl mode'."[8]

Schools

The first school in Bakloh was established by the 4the Gurkha Rifles Centre and Depot for imparting education to soldiers, recruits, and children of soldiers and pensioners. In 1877 the 4 Gurkhas Regimental School, had 56 students. The Inspector of Education, in that year, in his annual report, noted that the progress was ‘not very satisfactory’, and that improvement was expected after the return of the Master who had been sent to Umballa, for ‘a course of instruction in the Military Normal School.[13] Even after the 4th GR Centre moved from Bakloh to Sabathu, battalion's of the regiment, when ever located in Bakloh, as a matter of course, have run primary school for the children of soldiers, and dependents of pensioners. This tradition has been continued by units of other regiments. In 2012, 18 Dogras was running a primary school, till class 5.[10]

Kendriya Vidyalaya

On the army's urging the Kendriya Vidyalaya sanghtan opened a Kendriya Vidyalaya ( Central school), affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education, in Bakloh Cantonment, in October, 1982. The school has classes 1 through 12. The chairman of the school is Commander 323 Mountain Brigade.[14]

Senior Secondary School

Government Senior Secondary School, affiliated to the Himachal Pradesh Board of Education, is located in Kakira, Chamba (HP). It has a large building and a big ground, which makes it a hub for various activities for the surrounding villages & towns.

Demography

The population of Bakloh in 1881, was 1479 (1300 Hindus, 13 Sikhs,154 Muslims, and 12 others).[15] 120 years later, in 2001, according to the official census, the population was 1810; with an unexplained, adverse gender ratio of 55 percent male and 45 percent female.[9] The overall average literacy at 83% is higher than the national average of 59.5%.

Tourism

Bakloh has wonderful year round temperate weather, excellent trekking tracks, heritage building, charming old bazaars, and temples. Yet it gets few visitors. Its considerable tourism potential remains unexploited, under appreciated, and unrecognized. It is a pity that Himachal Tourism, the official web site of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, fails to even mention Bakloh in its list of 'destinations' or interesting places to visit.

See also

References

  1. ^ India Post. (EN) Pincode search - Bakloh
  2. ^ Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. STD Codes for cities in Himachal Pradesh
  3. ^ "Bakloh Map".
  4. ^ Rose Hutchison (1 March 1998). Gazetteer of the Chamba State. Indus Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7387-041-5. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  5. ^ http://cbbakloh.org.in/
  6. ^ a b c Sodhi, Brigadier, Retired, Harinder Singh (2011). Negi, Brigadier, Retired, RPS (ed.). "Bakloh-New Look - Comments and Views". Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 34. Sabathu: 14 GTC: 105–06. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Bowyer, Maj, Retd, Tony (2012). Forth Gorkha Rifle Officers Association. 34: 50–58. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Chhabra, Lt General, retired, Ranbir K (2011). Negi, Brigadier, Retired, RPS (ed.). "Bakloh-New Look - Comments and Views". Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 35 (34). Sabathu: 14 GTC: 108–109. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Cite error: The named reference "Chhabra" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b "Director of Estates". 2013. Retrieved 23 Jan 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d Gurung, Honorary Captain and Subedar Major, Gagan Singh (2012). Negi, Brigadier, Retired, RPS (ed.). "News from Bakloh". Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 35. 35. Sabathu: 14 GTC. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) p 182 Cite error: The named reference "Gurung" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ Khattri, Colonel, Retired, BS (2012). Negi, Brigadier, Retired, RPS (ed.). "All India Ex-Servicemen's Welfare Association". Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 35. 35. Sabathu: 14 GTC: 192–93. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Sharma, Lt General, Retired, Arvind (2011). Negi, Brigadier, Retired, RPS (ed.). "Bakloh -A New Look -Comments and Views". Forth Gorkha Rifles Officers' Association, News Letter, 34. 34. sabathu: 14 GTC: 106–08. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Holryod, Major W. R. M. (1879). REPORT ON POPULAR EDUCATION IN THE PUNJAB AND ITS DEPENDENCIES FOR THE YEAR 1877-78. p. 69. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  14. ^ "Kendriya Vidyalaya Bakloh".
  15. ^ Hunter, Sir William Wilson. The Imperial Gazetteer of India. Trübner & co., 1885. P 450

Further reading

  • Bowyer (2007). Tales from Bakloh. Antony Rowe Limited. ISBN 978-1-905200-61-0. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
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