23 Things About Kumaon Regiment Of Indian Army That Will Inspire You To Be Brave

The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army when seen from the number of Param Vir Chakras they have – three. Mainly composed of Kumaonis of Uttarakhand and Ahirs from the plains of Haryana, the Regiment is known for its extreme level of courage, which they displayed on every occasion including at Rezang La in 1962. Read on to know more.

1. The Kumaon Regiment is one of the two regiments named after the two regions of Uttarakhand – the other being Garhwal Rifles.

2. It was raised in 1813 and was therefore the first Indian Army regiment raised in 19th century.

3. The regiment was not named ‘Kumaon’ at the very beginning but was known as 19th Hyderabad Regiment till 1945.

4. Men from Kumaon were among those who formed part of the Russell Brigade of the Hyderabad Nizam.

5. The regimental insignia is a demi-rampant lion holding a cross.

This lion holding a cross was part of the coat of arms of the Russell family.

6. Kumaonis also served in the famous Berar Infantry of the Nizam’s forces.

7. The Russell Brigade and the Berar Infantry were maintained as British forces but were paid for by the Nizam.

8. In 1853, the Brigade under Nizam came to be known as Hyderabad Contingent and became part of British Indian Army after 1857.

9. Between 1853 and 1917, the class composition of the Russell Brigade and the Berar Infantry changed with more Kumaonis in it.

10. On October 23, 1917, during World War I, the first all-Kumaon battalion was raised in Ranikhet.

It was known as 4/39th Kumaon Rifles and was redesignated as 1st Battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles in 1918.

11. The Kumaon battalions became part of the Hyderabad Contingent, which was renamed 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1923.

12. Finally, on October 27, 1945, the 19th Hyderabad Regiment was renamed the 19th Kumaon Regiment.

The prefix 19 was dropped after Independence.

13. Parakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs) is the motto of the Kumaon Regiment. It is also the only regiment to have around three war cries.

They are: Kalika Mata Ki Jai (Victory to the Great Goddess Kali), Bajrang Bali Ki Jai (Victory to Bajrang Bali), and Dada Kishan Ki Jai (Victory to Dada Kishan – a form of Krishna).

14. The 19th Hyderabad Regiment fought valiantly during World War II.

The Kumaon Rifles fought at Hong Kong and in Iran. Kumaonis in other battalions of the Regiment fought in the eastern theatre in Burma and Malay Peninsula.

15. The very first battle for India post-Independence was fought by the Kumaon Regiment.

Two battalions of Kumaon Regiment were sent to Kashmir for defence at the start of Indo-Pak War 1947-48.

16. The first soldier to be honoured with the Param Vir Chakra was Major Somnath Sharma of 4th battalion Kumaon Regiment.

Sharma fought bravely even though his left hand was in plaster. He kept on encouraging his men to fight the Pakistanis in the Battle of Budgam in defence of the Srinagar airport to his last breath. It was due to his leadership that the company was able to delay the advance of the Pakistani Raiders giving the Indian Army time to send in reinforcements to prevent the Pakistani advance.

His last message to the Brigade headquarters was: “The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.”

17. The Kumaon Regiment attained legendary status during the 1962 Indo-China War.

In Battle of Walong, the 6 Kumaon attacked Chinese defences in Walong sector of Arunachal Pradesh and captured them. They would be eventually killed in Chinese retaliation which came with heavy artillery and waves after waves of attacks. Yet this is believed to be the only time the Indian forces attacked the Chinese instead of being on the defensive.

18. The 13 Kumaon fought the Battle of Rezang La – one of the greatest last stands in history of human warfare.

It was in this battle that the Chinese lost 1300 of their soldiers while fighting just 120 soldiers of the Indian Army. Of the Indian Army soldiers, 114 were martyred.

19. Major Shaitan Singh of 13 Kumaon was honoured posthumously with PVC for his indomitable courage in Battle of Rezand La.

At 17000 feet and under heavy artillery and machine gun fire from the Chinese side, Major Shaitan Singh went from post to post inspiring his men to fight thus resulting in one of the greatest last stands in military history.

20. It was the Kumaon Regiment and the Ladakh Scouts which captured Siachen Glacier during Operation Meghdoot in 1984.

It is because of that operation that India has a decisive edge over Pakistan in that region.

21. The Kumaon Regiment has 19 battalions besides the Kumaon Scouts.

Three battalions of the Naga Regiment are affiliated to the Kumaon Regiment.

22. The Regiment also has 4 Ashok Chakras, three of which went to 15 Kumaon and one to 13 Kumaon.

The Ashok Chakra is India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.

23. The Regiment has produced three Army chiefs – the highest by any infantry regiment.

They are General S.M. Shrinagesh, General K.S. Thimayya and General T.N. Raina. (Pictured below is Gen Thimayya.)