Kumaon Regiment: The Proud of India & Ranikhet
“Parakramo Vijayate (Valor Triumphs)” – The Motto of Kumaon
Regiment. This Regiment proved this very well in every situation they faced.
Kumoan Regiment is not only the proud of India but also the
representing face of Ranikhet as well. The Regiment originated in 18th
century and a most important participant of every major campaign of British Indian
Army and the Indian Army. This Regiment is also participated in two world wars
as well.
The History
Kumaonis, Garhwalis and Ghorkhas belong to a region that is
having a long history of warfare so they are into soldiering. This passion of Kumaonis raised a battalion at
Ranikhet on 23rd October 1917 named as 4/39th Kumaon
Rifles for World War I. This was the rise of a battalion that shows awesome
bravery at all the major campaign of Indian Army. In 1923 this Battalion merged
with Hyderabad Contingent and named 19th Hyderabad Regiment.
After the world war II, on 27th October 1945, the
19th Hyderabad Regiment was renamed as 19th Kumaon
Regiment. After independence it is called Kumoan Regiment. In May 1948,
Ranikhet become the Regiment Center for Kumaon Regiment.
The Achievements
This regiment is most decorated Infantry Regiment of Indian
Army. This Regiment is Decorated with:
Param Vir Chakra (India’s Highest Award for Gallantry): 2
Ashoka Chakra (India’s
Highest Peacetime Gallantry Award): 4
Maha Vir Chakra (India’s Second Highest Award for Gallantry):
10
Kirti Chakra (India’s Second Highest Peacetime Gallantry
Award): 6
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal: 2
Vir Chakra (India’s Third Highest Award for Gallantry): 78
Vir Chakra & Bar: 1
Shaurya Chakra (India’s Third Highest Peacetime Gallantry
Award): 23
Yudh Seva Medal: 1
Sena Medal: 127
Sena Medal & Bar: 2
Param Vishisht Seva Medal: 8
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal: 24
Padma Vibhusan: 1
Padma Bhusan: 2
Padma Shri: 1
AW: 1
Vishisht Seva Medal: 36
This Regiment is the first regiment that received the Nation’s
First Param Vir Chakra. Major Somnath Sharma received the first Param Vir
Chakra – India’s Highest Award for Gallantry for the regiment in October 1947
for Indo-Pakistan war of 1947.
Second Recipient of Param Vir Chakra for the Regiment war
Major Shaitan Singh in November 1962 for Sino-Indian War of 1962.
This Regiment has produced three Indian Army Chiefs: General
Satyawant Mallannah Shriganesh, General Kodendera Subayya Thimayya, and
Tapishwar Narain Raina.
Ranikhet and Kumaon Regiment
Ranikhet is the Regimental Center of Kumaon Regiment. This regiment
is also one of the factor of the beauty of this place. Somnath Ground and
Shaitan Singh Ground is dedicated to Major Somnath Sharma and Major Shaitan
Singh (Both the Recipient of Param Vir Chakra) respectively. The Beautiful city
of Ranikhet is surrounded by the Cantonment Area. Beautiful Vijay Chauk is dedicated
to the Martyrs of Kargill war (Operation Vijay). War Memorial near Somnath
Ground mention all the martyrs of Kumaon Regiment who laid down their life for
the country. You can see practicing soldiers preparing for the battle at Somnath
Ground.
Army Museum, Ranikhet:
Army Museum at Ranikhet is maintained by the Kumaun Regiment and The Naga
Regiment of Indian Army. This museum is the place where you will feel real
patriotism, be there and feel the Proud. You will be proud by visiting there
because here you will came to know about the bravery shown by this Regiment in battle
field as well as in peace time.
At the museum, you will find the heroic story of this
Regiment from First World War till date. You will find the contribution of the
regiment in various wars like, World War, Indo-China War, and Pakistan War,
Stories of Operation Vijay, Operation Pawan etc. The Kumaon Regiment is the
first regiment of Indian Army that landed in Jaffna, Sri Lanka during Operation
Pawan. The captured LTTE boat is available at the museum for display. Also
various weapons that are captured from various wars are interesting to watch.
Museum is beautifully maintained by the Army and you will be
also provided with an Army guide who will help you to the history and the
Heroics of the Regiment. Photography is Strictly Prohibited inside the Museum. This
place is Must visit place when you visit Ranikhet.
Mankameswar Temple:
“Kalika
Mata Ki Jai (Victory to the Great Goddess Kali)” it is the war cry of Kumaon Regiment. This temple is dedicated to Great
Goddess Kali. This temple was built in 1978 and beautifully maintained by Army.
A Gurudwara and tweed Shawl Factory is placed opposite of the temple. These two
are also run and maintained by the Army.
Somnath Ground:
It
is the main Parade Ground of the Kumaon Regiment at Ranikhet. Before the
independence, the British troops located at Ranikhet use this ground as racecourse
and Polo Ground. When Ranikhet become Kumaon Regimental Center in 1948, they
named this ground after the first Param Vir Chakra (PVC) winner of the Nation ‘Major Somnath Sharma’.
This Ground is the nodal point of
many major events, besides being the main Parade Ground of the Regimental
Centre for all training activities, and witness to many historical events - the
color presentation parades, reunions and sweat and toil of thousands of
recruits, who proudly and firmly took their first step as young soldiers of our
two Regiments, and were privileged to wear the Green or the Golden hackle.
Shaitan Singh Ground:
This Ground is named after the second
Param Vir Chakra winner and hero of Rezangla, Major Shaitan
Singh. Shaitan Singh Ground is the training ground for Naulakha and
Butchery Companies.
Nar Singh Ground:
This Ground is named after “Naik Nar Singh”
the winner of Maha Vir Chakra in Indo-Pakistan War of 1947. The Nar Singh
Ground was used for tethering horses since 1932 and the old shed, which still stands
today, was used as a stable. The ground is flanked on either side by two
beautifully constructed churches, St Peter’s Church and the Presbyterian
Church, both of which are being maintained and used by the Kumaon Regimental
Centre for welfare activity (for War Widows and retired personnel) as they
house the Shawl Factory. The large number of century old churches of Ranikhet
was built for all sects of Christianity. These are masterpieces of
architectural aestheticism and should be preserved as a cultural heritage.
Today the Nar Singh Ground is the Centre of all cultural activities, being the
only ground available to the people of Ranikhet. People from all walks of life
flock the Nar Singh ground for all occasions, be it a religious discourse, a
school fete, the Annual Autumn Festival or Ram Lila. Over the years this ground
symbolizes the bond between the military and civil population of the
brotherhood which ties the entire population of this unique township into one.
The Ranikhet Club:
The Ranikhet Club, located on the slopes
of the Upper Mall was conceived in 1918. The bungalow was a picture of
architectural beauty with its numerous tennis courts and lush green lawns
surrounded by flower beds full of the choicest of flowers, the seeds for which
were brought from the famous Valley of Flowers
The War Memorial:
The War Memorial, built in 1974, stands as
an inspiration for valour and the supreme sacrifice, towering over the Somnath
Ground.
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