Kumaon Regiment
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Kumaon Regiment is one of the crack troops of the Indian Army. It has received 2 Param Vir Chakras, 3 Ashok Chakras, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 6 Kirti Chakras, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar and 23 Shaurya Chakras, apart from numerous other honors and awards.
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.
The regiment is headquartered at Ranikhet (Uttaranchal). 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. It has the unique distinction of producing three Army Chiefs (General S.M. Srinagesh (4th Kumaon), General K.S. Thimayya (4th Kumaon) and General T.N. Raina (14th Kumaon)).
Battle Honours (Post-Independence): Srinagar (Badgam), Rezangla, Gadra City, Bhaduria, Daudkandi, Sanjoi Mirpur and Shamsher Nagar.
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 back alive.
The motto of the Kumaonis is "Prakramo Vijayate" (Valour Triumphs) and the war cry are "Kalika 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.
Regimental Insignia: A 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.Image:Rgt-kumaon.gif
The famous Kumaoni song "BEDU PAKA BARA MASSA" is one of the most beloved and melodous song of the Uttaranchal region. The song is also a representative song of Kumaon Regiment.
With a modest beginning, the regiment has grown manifold over the years. It has in its fold Naga and Rashtriya Rifles battalions, Kumaon Scouts, Territorial Army units, a Parachute and Mechanised Infantry unit each, a Naval ship and a tank Regiment
Units of Kumaon Regiment: 2nd Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 4th Battalion, 5th Battalion, 6th Battalion, 7th Battalion, 8th Battalion, 9th Battalion, 11th Battalion, 12th Battalion, 13th Battalion, 15th Battalion, 16th Battalion 17th Battalion (ex-31st Battalion), 18th Battalion, 19th Battalion, 20th Battalion, 21st Battalion, Kumaon Scouts, 1 Naga, 2 Naga, The regiment in addition to Kumaon battalions consisits of Naga and Rashtriya Rifles battalions, Kumaon Scouts, Territorial Army units, a Parachute and Mechanised Infantry unit each, a Naval ship and a tank Regiment
