15 Amazing Facts about Indian Army to be Proud of
15 Amazing Facts about Indian Army to be Proud of
Indian Army has been on Guard way before Independence. Indian Army is considered as one of the best forces in the world and it has lived up to its reputation on multiple occasions. Indian military history states, with pride, that their troops have always successfully forced the invaders to retreat. Indian Army is well regarded as the epitome of chivalry, gallantry and intrepidity, is the subcontinent’s guardian against all kinds of intrusions.
Do you know Sachin Tendulkar has been made Honorary Group Captain in Indian Air Force on 83rd IAF Day celebrations!
Here are some more interesting facts about Indian Army that you should be proud of..
Click next to see the FACTS
Formation of Indian Military
The Indian Army was formed in 1776, under the government of the East India Company in Kolkata. Coincidentally, it is the same year in which USA gained its independence from the British. May be British were so afraid that they decided to form a Army rather than leaving so soon!
Click next to see Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA!
First Women Regiment
Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA is credited of creating the first All Women Regiment of India. It is also considered as one of its kind in Asia. Rani of Jhansi Regiment was one of the very few all-female combat regiments of the Second World War on any side. It was led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan.
Click next to see the biggest army in what sense
Biggest “voluntary” Army
Indian Army is the largest voluntary Army in the world. All serving and reserve personnel have actually “opted” for service, they were forced in any way. There is a provision for conscription (forced recruitment) in the constitution, but it has never been used.
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No Reservation in Indian Army
Indian Army is different form the other Government Institutions. Unlike other government organisations and institutions in India, there are no provisions for reservations based on caste or religion. Soldiers are selected on the basis of merit and physical fitness.
Click next to see the Coolest reply to Indra Gandhi by a General!
Coolest Reply to a Prime Minister
At the time of 1971 war with Pakistan, India’s prime minister, Indira Gandhi, asked her army chief, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, if he was ready for the fight. He replied with gallantry with a smile on his lips “I am always ready, sweetie.”
Imagine that saying to a sitting Prime Minister!
Click next to see the Cavalry Regiment of India!
61st Cavalry Regiment
The 61st Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Army is believed to the largest non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry unit remaining in the world. It is also considered to be one of the last three living Cavalry Regiments of the world.
Click next to see the fact about Siachen!
Highest Battle Ground
India controls the highest battlefield in the world, the Siachen glacier, at 5000 metres above Mean Sea Level (MSL). It has very harsh conditions and the temperature drops to -50 degree celsius. Siachen is jokingly referred to as a punishment posting. The casualties in Siachen is referred as war causalities.
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Training Centers of Military
Indian Army has some of the greatest Military training centers. Indian army’s High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) and is visited by Special Ops teams from the U.S, U.K & Russia. Even during the invasion of Afghanistan, the U.S Special Forces were trained at HAWS. Indian Army is also considered the best in Jungle Warfare.
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UN peace keeping Force
Indian Army is one of the major troop provider in the United Nations Peace keeping forces.
See the next fact about Indian and Pakistan Army’s Harmony
Joint Operations
There have been many occasions when Indian army and Pakistan Army served as the UN Peace Keeping Force in the same area. They even conducted Joint Operations together!
Given their long enmity, it is one of the amazing facts to know about Indian Army.
Click next to see the battle on which Border movie is based
Battle of Longewala
In December 1971, just 120 Indian Soldiers with one jeep mounted M40 recoil less rifle held the fort against 2000 Pakistani soldiers backed by 45 tanks and 1 mobile infantry brigade. In this battle, only two Indian Soldiers died despite being heavily out numbered. Border movie is based on this battle.
Click next to see one of history’s great last-stands
The Battle of Saragarhi
The Battle of Saragarhi was one of the greatest battles that went down in history fought by Indian Soldiers. 21 Sikh Soldiers of 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment held around 10,000 Afgan soldiers in The Battle of Saragarhi in 1897. They killed around 400 Afgans. All 21 soldiers died on the battle field and were later awarded Indian Order of Merit (equivalent to today’s Param Vir Chakra).
It is considered as one of the biggest Rescue operation! Click next to find more
Operation Rahat
Operation Rahat (2013) was the biggest civilian rescue operations in the world carried out by any Air Force using helicopters. During the first phase of the operation from 17 June 2013, the IAF airlifted a total of about 20,000 people; flying a total of 2,140 sorties and dropping a total of 3,82,400 kg of relief material and equipment.
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Record POWs Taken
When Pakistan surrendered in 1971 war to India, Indian accepted Pakistani surrender and took 93,000 troops as prisoner of War. This is the largest number of POWs taken into custody since World War II. The war resulted in the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh.
Click next to see Indian Army’s respect to Pakistani Soldier
Indian Army’s Recommendation to Pakistani Soldier for Award
Indian Army Recognizes The Bravery of A Pakistani Soldier, Despite Being An Enemy! After Kargil war, Indian Army recommended Pakistani Captain Karnal Sher Khan, who died during the Kargil war to be awarded gallantry honor by Pakistani Government for his courage and valor shown in the battlefield. On this recommendation, Pakistani Government awarded him Nishan e Haidar (equivalent to our Param Veer Chakra.)
This is one of the great facts about Indian Army to know where it recognized even the enemy’s courage to defend his country.
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