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Kumaon Regiment

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The Kumaon Regiment
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Regimental Insignia of the Kumaon Regiment
Active1788 - Present (1945-Present with the name "The Kumaon regiment")
CountryIndia
BranchArmy
TypeLine Infantry
Size21 Battalions including 1 battalion of the Kumaon Scouts and 2 battalions of the Naga Regiment
Regimental CentreRanikhet, Uttarakhand
Motto(s)Parakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs)
War CryKalika Mata Ki Jai (Victory to the Great Goddess Kali)
Bajrang Bali Ki Jai (Victory to Bajrang Bali)

Dada Kishan Ki Jai (Victory to Dada Kishan)

Jai Durge Naga
Decorations2 Param Vir Chakras, 3 Ashoka Chakras, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 6 Kirti Chakras, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23 Shaurya 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.
Battle honoursPost Independence Srinagar (Badgam), Rezangla, Gadra City, Bhaduria, Daudkandi, Sanjoi Mirpur and Shamsher Nagar
Commanders
Notable
commanders		General S M Shrinagesh, General K S Thimayya and General T N Raina
Insignia
Regimental InsigniaA demi-rampant lion holding a cross. The demi-rampant lion is part of the arms of the Russel family, whose ancestor had started the body of troops now formed into the Kumaon Regiment.

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.

Martial History of Kumaonis

Kumaonis prize their reputation for valor. The Kumaonis were not fully subjugated by the powerful Muslim dynasties of Delhi. Kumaonis had helped the British in their efforts against the Gurkhas in the Nepal War. Kumaonis were observed by the British to be fighting from both sides the British as well as the Gurkha side. The well-known 3rd Gurkha regiment was known as the Keemaon battalion when it was formed and it included Kumaonis along with Gurkhas. Komaonis were considered a Martial Race by the British in India. [1]

History

The Kumaonis had been in British military service since the early 19th Century. As part of the North Indian class, who had joined the military of the East India Company's forces, the Kumaonis had moved to other states in search of military service. Thus they formed part of the Hyderabad Contingent, which was raised, trained and led by British officers under Henry Russel, but paid by the Nizam of Hyderabad. In 1857, in keeping with the class-based composition of the infantry, the Regiment comprised Rajputs, Jats and Muslims. After the Great War, some Kumaoni battalions were raised separately, but the Hyderabadis continued and fought with distinction in the World War. In 1945, the Hyderabadis became the Kumaon Regiment. When the Naga Regiment and the Kumaon Scouts were raised, they came under the aegis of the Kumaon Regiment. It has the unique distinction of producing three Army Chiefs (General S M Shrinagesh (4th Kumaon), General K S Thimayya (4th Kumaon) and General T N Raina (14th Kumaon)).

History of the Hyderabad Contingent

The Nizams Contingent was formed when Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess of Wellesley, brother of Arthur Wellesley, Duke Of Wellington, became Governor-General of India and formed a plan to rid India of French influence.[2] His first action, on arriving in India in 1798, was to effect the disbandment of the Indian units under the command of Monsieur Raymond and officered by non-British Europeans, that were being entertained by the Nizam of Hyderabad. These soldiers were formed into the British officered Nizam's Contingent that would be part of the force that fought at the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799 against Tippu Sultan in the final battle of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.[3]

Between 1799 and 1826 the Nizam's Contingent grew to eight battalions.[3] The eight battalions consisted of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Ellichpur Brigade, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of Sir Henry Russell's Brigade (94th and 95th Russell's Infantry) and the four battalions of the Berar Infantry. In 1853 six battalions of the Nizam's Contingent were grouped as The Hyderabad Contingent and became part of the regular British-Indian Army. The two remaining Berar Infantry battalions were disbanded.

First World War

During the Great War, 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.[3] 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.[2]

Second World War

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 from Hyderabad, (not to be mistaken with the 19th Hyderabads) 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 Africa, Persia, Malaya, Singapore and Burma.[3]

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.[4]

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.

In 1945, the Hyderabadis became the Kumaon Regiment. When the Naga Regiment and the Kumaon Scouts were raised, they came under the aegis of the Kumaon Regiment. It has the unique distinction of producing three Army Chiefs (General S M Shrinagesh (4th Kumaon), General K S Thimayya (4th Kumaon) and General T N Raina (14th Kumaon)).

1st Kumaon, raised in March 1813, converted to the airborne role in 1946 but remained on the strength of the Regiment till April 1952 when it was formally inducted into the Parachute Regiment as its 3rd Battalion.

Battle of Rezang La

Main article: Sino-Indian War

The regiment has many heroic exploits to its credit. One of these, the last stand of Company C, 13 Kumaon Regiment at Rezang La has been placed in the ten most heroic stands in history along with the Defence of Saragarhi and Battle of Alamo. Of the 118 men at Rezang La, 109 men laid down their lives, 5 men were captured and only 4 men returned alive.

Gallantry Awards

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, 23 Shaurya 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), 4th Kumaon, 1947 Kashmir Operations, Badgam - Kashmir
  • Major Shaitan Singh, (Posthumous), 13th Kumaon, 1962 Indo-China War, Chushul - Ladakh

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.

Ashok Chakra

  • Maj Bhukant Mishra (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon, June 1984, Operation Blue Star, Amritsar, India][5]
  • Nk Nirbhay Singh (Posthumous), 15 Kumaon, June 1984, Operation Blue Star, Amritsar, India][6]
  • Sub Sujjan Singh (Posthumous), 13 Kumaon, 1994 [7]
  • Nk Rambeer Singh Tomar, 15 Kumaon, Doda - Jammu and Kashmir. (while posted with 26 Rashtriya Rifles)[8]

Current Strength

  • 1st Battalion (parachute bn)
  • 2nd Battalion
  • 3rd Battalion
  • 4th Battalion
  • 5th Battalion
  • 6th Battalion
  • 7th Battalion
  • 8th Battalion
  • 9th Battalion
  • 11th Battalion
  • 12th Battalion
  • 13th Battalion
  • 14th Battalion (mechanised infantry)
  • 15th Battalion
  • 16th Battalion
  • 17th Battalion (ex-31st Battalion)
  • 18th Battalion
  • 19th Battalion
  • 20th Battalion
  • 21st Battalion
  • Kumaon Scouts
  • 1 Naga
  • 2 Naga
  • 111 Infantry Battalion (TA) Kumaon
  • 130 Infantry Battalion (TA) Kumaon Ecological

The regiment has grown manifolds, it has in its fold Naga and Rashtriya Rifles battalions, Kumaon Scouts, Territorial Army units, a parachute and a mechanised infantry unit, a naval ship and a tank regiment.

The Third Battalion (Special Forces), The Parachute Regiment is affiliated to the Kumaon Regiment as it was the 1st Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment before conversion to the Parachute Regiment in April 1952. The 5 th battalion of the mechanised infantry regiment is also affiliated to the Kumaon regiment as the 14th battalion of the Kumaon Regiment. The battalion has a distinguished history of 157 years from the pre colonial time.

Colonels of the Regiment

See also

References

  1. ^ Ethnic Group Recruitment in the Indian Army by Dr. Omar Khalid.
  2. ^ a b "History of the Kumaon Regiment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  3. ^ a b c d "Indian Army, A brief history of the Kumaon Regiment". Official Home of the Indian Army. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  4. ^ Gardner, Brian. "Orders of Battle.com". Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  5. ^ http://www.euttaranchal.com/education/institutes/kumaon_regiment.php
  6. ^ http://www.euttaranchal.com/education/institutes/kumaon_regiment.php
  7. ^ http://www.euttaranchal.com/education/institutes/kumaon_regiment.php
  8. ^ http://www.euttaranchal.com/education/institutes/kumaon_regiment.php

[1]

The Kumaon Regiment on Bharat-Rakshak

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