Bihar Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Bihar Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army
. The regiment can trace its origins back to the British Indian Army
. The Bihar Regiment was formed in 1941 by regularising the 11th (Territorial) Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, and raising new battalions.
, Hindu
, Buddhist and Muslim
influences intermingled to produce an arms-bearing soldiery which was disciplined and deeply religious. The Bihar Regiment traces its origins to the sepoy battalions raised in 1757 by Lord Clive of the British East India Company
at Patna
. These were formed by the men from the Bhojpur
region of Bihar
. Their success in combat impressed Mir Kasim, who began raising units trained in western combat techniques. Bihari battalions raised by Mir Kasim defeated the British in some engagements. The Bihari, or poorbia/purviah soldier thereafter made up the backbone of the Bengal Infantry of the British Colonial Army.
The Bihari was not only an excellent soldier, but he was also quick to learn and apply the tactical drills with initiative. He was disciplined when led by good officers, but capable of hostility when his beliefs and customs were disregarded. The Indian Rebellion of 1857
against the introduction of greased cartridges, was led by Bihari troops, who preferred being blown by the guns to losing their faith. Biharis thereafter were not encouraged to enter military service by the British until after the Great War (World War I
).
The Bihar Regiment was formed in 1941 during World War II
by regularising the 11th (Territorial) Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment
as 1 Bihar. The 2nd Battalion was raised in 1942. It was mainly recruited amongst the Christian Adivasi population of South Bihar and the Pathan Muslims of Bihar.
The newly raised 1 Bihar saw action in the Burma Campaign
, winning battle honours for gallant actions at Haka and Gangaw. 2 Bihar formed part of Operation Zipper
for the reoccupation of British Malaya
.
Thereafter, both battalions participated in the undeclared war
in the Kashmir Valley during 1948-49.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
, the Seventh Battalion captured Bedori, paving the way for the capture of Haji Pir Pass
.
By the start of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
, the Regiment had expanded to 11 battalions. Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth and Eleventh Battalions paricipated in operations in the eastern sector. 10 Bihar was conferred the Theatre Honour 'East Pakistan" for the capture of Akhaura
. On 15 December 1971, a seaborne expedition was launched at Cox's Bazar
to prevent Pakistani troops from escaping into Burma. 11 Bihar formed part of this amphibious task force. In the Western theatre of the war, 3 Bihar captured Wanjal.
In the Spring of 1999, Pakistani soldiers posing as Kashimiri militants crossed the L.O.C. in Kargil
and entered Indian Territory. Operation Vijay
was launched by Indian Army to flush out the intruders. More than 10,000 soldiers and officers of the Bihar Regiment were deployed to the war front. In a well planned operation in the Batalik Sector, soldiers of 1 Bihar, in a fierce fight with the Pakistan Army
, captured Point 4268 and Jubar Ridge on night 06/7 July 1999. 7 July 1999 is a red letter day when it was announced that Jawans of Bihar Regiment pushed back intruders from Jubar Hills and point 4268 in Kuker Thang area in Batalik sector.
The regiment has also served in UN Peace Keeping operations in Somalia (UNOSOM) and Congo (MONUC).
Ashoka Chakra
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. The regiment can trace its origins back to the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
. The Bihar Regiment was formed in 1941 by regularising the 11th (Territorial) Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, and raising new battalions.
History
In IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, Buddhist and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
influences intermingled to produce an arms-bearing soldiery which was disciplined and deeply religious. The Bihar Regiment traces its origins to the sepoy battalions raised in 1757 by Lord Clive of the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
at Patna
Patna
Paṭnā , is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in Eastern India . Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world...
. These were formed by the men from the Bhojpur
Bhojpur district, Bihar
Bhojpur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state in eastern India. Arrah town is the administrative headquarters of this district.-History:...
region of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. Their success in combat impressed Mir Kasim, who began raising units trained in western combat techniques. Bihari battalions raised by Mir Kasim defeated the British in some engagements. The Bihari, or poorbia/purviah soldier thereafter made up the backbone of the Bengal Infantry of the British Colonial Army.
The Bihari was not only an excellent soldier, but he was also quick to learn and apply the tactical drills with initiative. He was disciplined when led by good officers, but capable of hostility when his beliefs and customs were disregarded. The Indian Rebellion of 1857
Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to...
against the introduction of greased cartridges, was led by Bihari troops, who preferred being blown by the guns to losing their faith. Biharis thereafter were not encouraged to enter military service by the British until after the Great War (World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
).
The Bihar Regiment was formed in 1941 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by regularising the 11th (Territorial) Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment
19th Hyderabad Regiment
The 19th Hyderabad Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed following the post World War I reforms of the Indian Army when they moved from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
as 1 Bihar. The 2nd Battalion was raised in 1942. It was mainly recruited amongst the Christian Adivasi population of South Bihar and the Pathan Muslims of Bihar.
The newly raised 1 Bihar saw action in the Burma Campaign
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
, winning battle honours for gallant actions at Haka and Gangaw. 2 Bihar formed part of Operation Zipper
Operation Tiderace
Operation Tiderace was the codename of the British plan to retake Singapore in 1945. The liberation force was led by Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia Command...
for the reoccupation of British Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
.
Thereafter, both battalions participated in the undeclared war
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
The India-Pakistan War of 1947-48, sometimes known as the First Kashmir War, was fought between India and Pakistan over the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu from 1947 to 1948. It was the first of four wars fought between the two newly independent nations...
in the Kashmir Valley during 1948-49.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, the Seventh Battalion captured Bedori, paving the way for the capture of Haji Pir Pass
Pir Panjal Range
The Pir Panjal ranges lie in the Inner Himalayan region, running from east southeast to west northwest across the states of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir in India as well as Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where the average elevation varies from to . The Himalayas show a gradual elevation towards...
.
By the start of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
, the Regiment had expanded to 11 battalions. Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth and Eleventh Battalions paricipated in operations in the eastern sector. 10 Bihar was conferred the Theatre Honour 'East Pakistan" for the capture of Akhaura
Akhaura Upazila
Akhaura is an Upazila of Brahmanbaria District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh.-Geography:Akhaura is located at . It has 18783 units of house hold and it has no total area as it is a part of wonderland.-Demographics:...
. On 15 December 1971, a seaborne expedition was launched at Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar is a town, a fishing port and district headquarters in Bangladesh. It is known for its wide sandy beach which is the world's longest natural sandy sea beach. It is an unbroken 125 km sandy sea beach with a gentle slope. It is located 150 km south of Chittagong. Cox’s Bazar...
to prevent Pakistani troops from escaping into Burma. 11 Bihar formed part of this amphibious task force. In the Western theatre of the war, 3 Bihar captured Wanjal.
In the Spring of 1999, Pakistani soldiers posing as Kashimiri militants crossed the L.O.C. in Kargil
Kargil
' :* Kargil district, in Ladakh, Indian-administered Kashmir* Kargil town, the chief town of the district* Kargil War, a 1999 armed conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district...
and entered Indian Territory. Operation Vijay
Kargil War
The Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
was launched by Indian Army to flush out the intruders. More than 10,000 soldiers and officers of the Bihar Regiment were deployed to the war front. In a well planned operation in the Batalik Sector, soldiers of 1 Bihar, in a fierce fight with the Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
, captured Point 4268 and Jubar Ridge on night 06/7 July 1999. 7 July 1999 is a red letter day when it was announced that Jawans of Bihar Regiment pushed back intruders from Jubar Hills and point 4268 in Kuker Thang area in Batalik sector.
The regiment has also served in UN Peace Keeping operations in Somalia (UNOSOM) and Congo (MONUC).
Composition and Recruitment
The Bihar Regiment is reported to consist half of the Adivasis [Scheduled Tribe]. The word 'Adivasi' means 'original inhabitants' in Sanskrit, and therefore the term means the indigenous people of India. Some 67.76 million or 8.08 per cent of the population of India have been designated as 'Scheduled Tribes' (STs) - generally referred to as Adivasis. The term 'STs' indicates those communities specified by the President of India under Article 342 of the Constitution of India. 'Geographical isolation, distinctive culture, primitivity [sic], shyness and economic backwardness [sic]' are some of the criteria considered. Adivasis in India share many of the characteristics of other indigenous peoples of the world. However, a vital distinction of the Adivasis of the Indian subcontinent is their opposition to the caste system. As punishment for Adivasi resistance to British rule, "The Criminal Tribes Act" was passed by the British Government in 1871 arbitrarily stigmatizing groups such as the Adivasis (who were perceived as most hostile to British interests) as congenital criminals.Engagements
Deployments of units of the Bihar Regiment:- Burma CampaignBurma CampaignThe Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
, World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... - Operation ZipperOperation TideraceOperation Tiderace was the codename of the British plan to retake Singapore in 1945. The liberation force was led by Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia Command...
, World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... - Indo-Pakistan War of 1947
- Indo-Pakistan War of 1965
- Indo-Pakistan War of 1971
- UNOSOMUNOSOMUNOSOM may refer to:* UNOSOM I* UNOSOM II* UNITAF* Operation Provide Relief See also Operation Deliverance, the concurrent Canadian operation...
- Kargil WarKargil WarThe Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
- MONUC
Units
Regimental Battalions:- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- 5th Battalion
- 6th Battalion
- 7th Battalion
- 8th Battalion
- 9th Battalion
- 10th Battalion
- 11th Battalion
- 12th Battalion
- 14th Battalion
- 15th Battalion
- 16th Battalion
- 17th Battalion
- 18th Battalion
- 19th Battalion
- 20th Battalion
- 21st Battalion
- 4 RR Battalion
- 24 RR Battalion
- 47 RR Battalion
Battle Honours
- HakaHakhaHakha is the capital of Chin State in Burma. Its located in the northeast in Chin State. The vernacular name of the city was Halkha. The total area of Hakha is about . The town of Hakha, more than 6,000 feet above the sea level, is founded on a small highland plateau...
, Burma CampaignBurma CampaignThe Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
, World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... - GangawGangawGangaw is a town of Gangaw Township in Gangaw District in the Magway Division in Myanmar. Gangaw is also known as the City of Yaw, a certain region in Myanmar including Gangaw, Tilin, Saw and villages around them...
, Burma Campaign, World War II - AkhauraAkhaura UpazilaAkhaura is an Upazila of Brahmanbaria District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh.-Geography:Akhaura is located at . It has 18783 units of house hold and it has no total area as it is a part of wonderland.-Demographics:...
, East PakistanEast PakistanEast Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
, Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 - Jubar Ridge, Kargil WarKargil WarThe Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
Ashoka ChakraAshoka ChakraThe Ashoka Chakra is depiction of the Buddhist Dharmachakra, represented with 24 spokes. It is so called because it appears on a number of edicts of Ashoka, most prominent among which is the Lion Capital of Sarnath which has been adopted as the National Emblem of the Republic of India.The most...
- Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Uday Singh Gaur, 10 Bihar, Baramullah District, 1994
- Lt Col S.S. Rana
- Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan (Posthumous), 7 Bihar (on deputation to NSGNational Security GuardsThe National Security Guard is a Special Response Unit in India that has primarily been utilized for counter-terrorism activities and was created by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986...
), Operation Black Tornado