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RAJPUTANA RIFLES

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RAJPUTANA RIFLES The Rajputana Rifles is the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised in 1921 as part of the British Indian Army, when six previously existing regiments were amalgamated together to form six battalions of the 6th Rajputana Rifles. In 1945 the numeral designation was dropped from the title and in 1947 the regiment was transferred to the newly independent Indian Army. Since independence, the regiment has been involved in a number of conflicts against Pakistan, as well as contributing to the Custodian Force (India) in Korea under the aegis of the United Nations in 1953-54 and to the UN Mission to the Congo in 1962. Its Regimental Centre is Delhi Cantonment and its regimental insignia is bugle and cords, all below a pair of crossed katars (Rajput daggers). Its Regimental motto is ‘Veer Bhogya Vasundhara’ (The Brave shall Inherit the Earth) and its war cry is ‘Raja Ram Chandra Ki Jai’ (Victory to Raja Ram Chandra) and Bol

11 GORKHA RIFLES

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11 GORKHA RIFLES At the time of Independence when the division of the Indian Armed Forces was being done the question of the future employment of Gorkha troops also came up. At that time there were ten Gorkha Regiments in the Indian Army, each with two battalions. Troops of the 7th and 10th Gorkha Rifles hailed from Eastern Nepal and were mainly of Rai and Limbu ethnic groups. Transfer of troops to the British Army was to be on a purely voluntary basis. A referendum was held in the presence of the representatives of the Indian and Nepalese Governments. Troops from the 7th and 10th Gorkha Rifles opted against the transfer to the British Army in large numbers. 2/7 GR - located at Santa Cruz, Mumbai - as a whole opted against transfer to the British Army. There was no Gorkha Regiment, left in the Indian Army with troops from Eastern Nepal. Keeping in mind the large numbers of non-optees and their fighting qualities it was decided to re-raise the 11th Gorkha Rifles. Official orders

9 GORKHA RIFLES

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9 GORKHA RIFLES The history of the 9 Gorkha Rifles dates back to 1817, when it was raised at Infantry Levy at Fatehgarh. In 1823, it became a regular unit as part of the Bengal Native Infantry. After the reorganisations post 1857, the designation was changed to 9 Bengal Native Infantry with one of its companies formed by Gorkhas and other. By then the Regiment had fought at Bharatpur and in the difficult battle of Sobraon in the Ango-Sikh War. In 1901, the Regiment was designated 9 Gorkha Rifles. Its Regimental Centre is Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is a pair of crossed khukris (a Gorkha dagger) with the numeral 9 below. Its Regimental motto is ‘Kafar Bhanda Marnu Ramro’ (Better  to Die than Live Like a Coward) and its war cry is ‘Ayo Gorkhali’ meaning 'The Gorkhas Are Here'.

3 GORKHA RIFLES

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3 GORKHA RIFLES The 3 Gorkha Rifles were raised on  April 24, 1815 as a Kumaon Battalion. In 1907, the Regiment was redesignated as 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gorkha Rifles. The Regiment presently comprises five battalions. During the First World War, the Regiment distinguished itself in France, Gaza and Palestine and won 18 battle honours. During the Second World War, the Regiment fought in Burma, Malaya, Java, Indonesia, Iraq, Persia, Palestine, North Africa and Cyprus and again proved its mettle. Post-Independence, the Regiment won the Battle Honour 'Pir Kanthi' in the Uri Sector in 1948 and 'Shingo' in the Kargil Sector in 1971. The 3 Gorkha Rifles have the distinction of being the first battalion in the post-independence period to carry out amphibious operations during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Its Regimental Centre is Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is a pair of crossed khukris (a Gorkha dagger), with a star in-between and the numeral 3

1 GORKHA RIFLES

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1 GORKHA RILES Gorkhas from Nepal had extended their empire into the Kumaon, Garhwal and Kangra hills by the mid-18th century. The Gorkha War of 1815 was the result of the interface between the Gorkhas and the British at the time. Always on the lookout for reliable soldiers, the British started a Gorkha (Nusseree) battalion in the Simla hills. Before long, this battalion had made its mark in the battle for Bharatpur in 1826. In 1850, the battalion was termed 66th Gorkha Light Infantry and later the First Gorkha Light Infantry. It became the First King George's Own Gorkha Rifles in 1910 (Malaun Regiment). After Indian independence, the designation changed to the present one. The Regiment's other battalions were raised after 1959. The Regiment has a proud combat record and has always lived up to its reputation. Its Regimental Centre is Subathu, Himachal Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is a pair of crossed Khukris (a Gorkha dagger) supported by a bugle, w

THE JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES

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THE JAMMU & KASHMIR RIFLES The Jammu & Kashmir Rifles has a unique regimental history. It was not raised by the British but by an intrepid Indian ruler called Gulab Singh in 1821. Gulab Singh was one of the ablest Generals of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and later became the ruler of the Jammu & Kashmir state. He and his legendary General Zorawar Singh led many spectacular campaigns to add Ladakh, Baltistan, Hunza and Skardu to the State territories. Zorawar Singh mounted a breath-taking invasion of Tibet in 1841. The state forces fought as Imperial Service troops in both World Wars under their own native officers. They distinguished themselves in East Africa, Palestine and Burma. However, the regiment's grimmest hour came during the Pakistani invasion of Kashmir in 1947. It was their heroic stand that gained time for the entry of the Indian Army and thus saved the Kashmir Valley. It may not be out of place to mention that the Indian people largely owe the

THE GARHWAL RIFLES

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THE GARHWAL RIFLES The Garhwal Rifles is a light infantry or 'rifle' regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised as the 39th Garhwal Rifles of the Bengal Army, became part of the old Indian Army, and received its present name on Indian independence. It served during the Frontier campaigns of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, as well in both the World Wars and the wars fought after Independence. Mainly made up of Garhwali soldiers, this regiment has a distinguished record and a unique identity. Today it is made up of more than 25,000 soldiers, organised into nineteen regular battalions and the Garhwal Scouts, who are stationed permanently at Joshimath. Its Regimental Centre is Landsdowne, Uttar Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is the Maltese Cross, with a bugle in the centre. Its Regimental motto is ‘Yudhaya Krit Nischya’ (Fight with Determination) and its war cry is ‘Badri Vishal Lal Ki Ja’ (Victory to the Great Lord Badri Nath). Its in

5 GORKHA RIFLES

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5 GORKHA RIFLES The 5 Gorkha Rifles was originally raised as the 25th Punjab Infantry on May 22, 1858 at Abbotabad. Later rechristened as 5th Gorkha (Rifle) in 1891, the Regiment has since acquitted itself with a dazzling record of military victories, valour and array of awards not forgetting the unique feature of winning two Victoria Cross on a single day. It is the only Regiment to have won nine Victoria Crosses in the Great Wars and has 49 battle honours to its credit. It saw hard fought actions in the scorched deserts of Gallipoli and Mesopotamia and rugged clime of Afghanistan during the First World War with an enviable martial account. The British conferred the title 'Royal' on the Regiment in 1921 in recognition of its superlative combat services in the Great War. The Second World War too bore the testimony of sustained military glories with the 'Fighting Fifth' fighting their way through Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Italy, Lebanon, Burma, Java,

4 GORKHA RIFLES

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4 GORKHA RIFLES The 4 Gorkha  Rifles is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised in 1857 as part of the British Indian Army, but after India's independence in 1947 it was one of six Gurkha regiments transferred to the Indian Army. The regiment was formerly known as the 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles, but after it was transferred to the Indian Army its name was changed upon India becoming a republic. Since its establishment 155 years ago, the regiment has fought in many conflicts and earned many battle honours, including the Second Afghan War, the Boxer Rebellion, the First World War, the Second World War and most of the wars and Counter Insurgency Operations India has fought since independence. Its Regimental Centre is Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is a pair of crossed Khukris  (a Gorkha dagger ) with the Roman numeral IV below. Its motto is ‘Kayar Hunu Bhanda Marnu Ramro’ (Better to die than live

RASHTRIYA RIFLES

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  RASHTRIYA RIFLES Rashtriya Rifles - RR was raised as a para-military force as it was envisaged that personnel posted to RR would comprise regular Army  volunteers on deputation, ex-servicemen and lateral inductees from various para-military forces and central police organisations. However, ever since its inception this force has comprised hundred per cent regular Army deputationists. To reduce the commitment of Army on internal security duties, the Rashtriya Rifles has been at the forefront in counter-insurgency operations. Indian strategists believed that in the event of a war, the 40,000-strong Rashtriya Rifles would protect the lines of communication and supplies from terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Made up of troops posted on deputation from the Army, the Rashtriya Rifles was meant to ensure that India's LoC divisions could do their job, engaging Pakistan, unhindered by guerilla action. The Regiment has a distinct dress code, akin to a rifle regiment. This is the only

ASSAM RIFLES

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ASSAM RIFLES The Assam Rifles raised as Cachar Levy in 1835 is the oldest Central Para Military Force in India. The Force was raised mainly to guard the alluvial plains of Assam from the wild and unruly tribes inhabiting the surrounding hill tracts. They also helped in opening up these remote areas and all development activities earning many accolades from the administration. Their long association with the region reflects in the force being fondly called ‘The Sentinels of the North-East’ and ‘Friends of the Hill People’. As on today, the Force has 46 battalions and has a dual role of maintaining internal security in the North-Eastern region and guarding the Indo-Myanmar Border. Variously designated and reorganised from time to time, as the Assam Frontier Police (1883), the Assam Military Police (1891) and Eastern Bengal and Assam Military Police (1913), it came to be known by its present name of the Assam Rifles, in 1917 in recognition of its contribution to the war effort during Worl