Units

The Kumaon Regiment

 

The Russell's Lion emblem of the Kumaon Regiment		Battle Honours of the Kumaon Regiment. [Courtesy: Kumaon Regimental Centre]

 

  

• Regimental Centre: Ranikhet, Uttaranchal.
• 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.
• Motto: Prakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs).
• War Cry: 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 Battalions: 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
• 1st Battalion -------> 3rd Parachute
• 10th Battalion -----> Kumaon Regimental Centre
• 14th Battalion -----> 5th Mech. Inf

Post-Independence

• Battle Honours: Srinagar (Badgam), Rezangla, Gadra City, Bhaduria, Daudkandi, Sanjoi Mirpur and Shamsher Nagar.
• Honours & Awards: 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, 23 Shaurya Chakras, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medals, 2 Sena Medals and Bar, 8 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 PV, 2 PB, 1 PS, 1 AW and 36 Vishisht Seva Medals.
• Comments: 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 seperately, 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.

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. The Regiment has a unique and proud distinction of producing three Army Chiefs, unequalled by any other infantry regiment, arising from its battalions. They are General S.M. Srinagesh (4th Kumaon), General K.S. Thimayya (4th Kumaon) and General T.N. Raina (14th Kumaon).