Units

The Brigade of Guards

alt

Regimental Uniform of The Brigade of the Guards

 

  • Regimental Centre: Kamptee, near Nagpur in Maharashtra.
  • Regimental Insignia: Garuda - A mythological eagle king.
  • Motto: Pahla Hamesha Pahla (Ahead Always Ahead).
  • War Cry: Garud Ka Hun Bol Pyare (I am from the Guards, Say O Friend).
  • Regimental Battalions: 1st Battalion (former 2 Punjab)
    .................................2nd Battalion(former 1 Grenadiers)
    .................................3rd Battalion (former 1 Rajputana Rifles)
    .................................4th Battalion (former 1 Rajput)
    .................................5th Battalion
    .................................6th Battalion
    .................................7th Battalion
    .................................8th Battalion
    .................................9th Battalion
    .................................10th Battalion
    .................................11th Battalion
    .................................12th Battalion
    .................................13th Battalion
    .................................14th Battalion
    .................................15th Battalion
    .................................16th Battalion
    .................................17th Battalion
    .................................18th Battalion
    .................................19th Battalion (Anti-tank guided missile regiment)
  •  

    Post-Independence

    Guards have made a special name for themselves in the Indian Army, by their combat record and excellence in almost all fields of war and peace. Mechanisation of these battalions is likely to be completed, as only four battalions were left in March 1999. The mechanised battalions of the regiment have already acquired BMP-2 ICVs, anti-tank guided missile launchers and other equipment utilised in mechanized forces. The 19 Guards operates anti-tank guided missiles, while four other battalions operate in the Recce & Support role. These four fight right on the border as frontal support units to the main battalions.

    The President of India is the Colonel-in-Chief and the Chief of Army Staff is the Honorary Colonel. The 4 Guards (1 Rajput) (Mech) has the unique distinction of having an extra Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) on its establishment to carry the Honorary Colour (the only battalion among the entire Commonwealth nations to be awarded this honour for collective gallantry).

    Naik Jadunath Singh, 4 Guards, was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous) for the Regiment. Although Naik Jadunath Singh was from the 1 Rajput when he was awarded the PVC posthumously in 1947, his regiment was one of the first four battalions to form the Guards Regiment in 1949 and thus his award is now with the 4 Guards. Interestingly, the Rajput Regiment adds Naik Jadunath Singh's PVC to it's award list as well. Lance Naik Albert Ekka, 14 Guards, was the second recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous) for the Regiment, in 1971. The two Ashok Chakra winners in the Regiment are Havildar Bishan Singh in 1956 and Lieutenant Colonel Jasbir Raina for Operation Blue Star in 1984.

    Brigade of The Guards - A BR Monitor article by PVS Jagan Mohan.

    First Guards: Always at the Forefront - Sainik Samachar