Assam Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Assam Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army
. The Regiment consists of 21 battalions; 14 regular units, three Rashtriya Rifles
units, three infantry battalions of the Territorial Army and one battalion of Arunachal Scouts
. It recruits exclusively from all the Seven Sister States
of North-East India
.
. It has chosen the rhino
as the emblem that is seen on the berets and on the belts that the soldiers (the self-named "Rhinos") wear proudly.The Regimental salutation of Tagra Raho is unique. In India, rhinos are found in the state of Assam which is also known for its tea gardens and oil refineries. The unique greeting adopted by the regiment as Tagda Raho was introduced by late Maj Gen SC Barbosa who commanded 2 Assam Regiment in 1960s.Originally he was commissioned in 1 Assam regiment.The Commanding Officer used to enquire about the health of the jawan saying : Tagda Hai ? Invariably, the answer used to be : Tagda Hai Saheb. This greeting became popular in a very short time.
and the hardy, tough and cheerful Nagas, Mizos, Kukis, Garos, Manipuris and other tribals. Later, the Adis, nishis, Monpas, other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, domiciled Gorkhas and Sikkimese were also drafted into the regiment and, today, the regiment can boast of being composed of troops of diverse customs, cultures, languages, traditions and ethos belonging to the seven states of the North-East.
The Regiment was raised on 15 June 1941 in Shillong by Lt Col Ross Howman to meet the claim of the then undivided State of Assam for its own fighting unit and to counter the threat of the Japanese invasion of India. The young regiment soon proved its capabilities within three years of its raising, at the consecutive battles of Jessami, the epic defence of Kohima and the capture of Aradura, all of which were awarded as Battle Honours (now as Pre-Independence Battle Honours) to the Regiment. The Regiment earned high praise for its combat skills in World War II. After independence, the Regiment gained in strength and its battalions have taken part in all wars and counter-insurgency operations with distinction. It was awarded a Battle Honour for its tenacious defence at Chamb in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Two battalions were part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force
s in Sri Lanka
in 1988 and a battalion served in Cambodia in 1993 as part of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
. Three Territorial Army (TA) battalions and three Rashtriya Rifles
(RR) battalions are affiliated with the Regiment. The unique cultural and tribal character of the Regiment makes for a fine combination of cheerful, tough and willing soldiery who excel in operations in mountainous and jungle terrain. The Regimental Colours are Black and Gold (State colours of undivided Assam) and Scarlet (the colour of the Infantry). Badges are of Silver and Black. The side arm is the 'Dah'. The Regimental Language is Hindi. When spoken in the regiment, it is a quaint and unique mixture of Hindi generously sprinkled with words from all the Northeast languages and sounds cryptic to the uninitiated.
The area of Elephant Falls in Shillong was chosen to raise the First Battalion and here, under British instructors, the troops were trained to become a fighting machine. Within six months of its raising, the regiment was ordered to move to Digboi to defend the oil fields. In early 1942, it moved to Ledo and was involved in reconnoitring the alignment for the famous Stilwell Road. In 1944, when the invasion of India by Japan was imminent, the regiment was moved to Jessami and Kharasom to delay the advance of the 31st Japanese division.
In its very first operation, the regiment won 71 gallantry awards. In addition, the regiment won six battle honours including Jessami, Kohima, Aradura, Toungoo, Kyaukmyaung Bridge-head and Mawlaik. It was also awarded the theatre honour Burma: 1942-45. Seldom has a regiment won so many gallantry awards, battle honours and theatre awards in a single campaign.
The Regiment, from a small group of three battalions at the time of Independence, has now become 22-battalion strong with 15 regular battalions, three Rashtriya Rifles battalions, three units of Territorial Army and 1 battalion of Arunanchal scouts, raised specifically for counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir. After Independence, the battalions of the regiment participated in all the conflicts against China and Pakistan and proved their mettle in each one of them. Two of its battalions, 4 Assam and 7 Assam, have had the privilege of being part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and 1 Assam, 15th Assam has 10th Assam the unique distinction of being part of UN Peace Keeping Force in Cambodia(UNTAC), lebanon (UNIFIL) and Congo respectevely.
By 2006 the regiment had grown into a family of 19 battalions, 13 regular units, three Rashtriya Rifles units and three infantry battalions of the Territorial Army. Comprising exclusively troops from all the seven North-Eastern states, the regiment has established itself as a highly respected infantry regiment of Indian Army. In its six decades of martial history, the regiment has served with distinction in different wars and in various operational areas of the country. It has also been a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and UN Peace Keeping Force in Cambodia. The regiment has won seven battle honours, three theatre honours, six exclusive unit citations and several gallantry awards.
The 42nd Rashtriya Rifles (Assam) formed specially to combat insurgency and terrorism, came into existence at a simple inaugural ceremony at the Assam Regimental Centre, Happy Valley in Shillong. Major General I. J. S Bora, GOC 101 Area, unfurled the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) flag heralding the formal raising of the battalion which would be commanded by Lt. Col. Naresh Razora. Smartly turned out guards of the new battalion presented the major general salute in presence of officers, jawans and their families of 101 area and 42nd RR battalion. While four RR battalions had already been raised in the recent past, the 41st RR battalion (Maratha Light Infantry) was simultaneously raised in Karnataka's Belgaum. Major General Bora said as Meghalaya was relatively peaceful, there was no contemplation of deployment of armed forces at present. The force, raised to relieve the Army of counter insurgency operations, proved its mettle both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East.
The Phantom Third recently celebrated its Diamond Jubliee.
The Sabre Sixth has been selected for Ceremonial Duties at Rashtrapati Bhawan for its outstanding work in Counter Terrorist operations.
The contingent of the Assam Regiment has won the award for the "Best Marching Contingent" twice in the republic day celebrations held at Delhi in 1995 and 2004.
The team of the Assam Regimental Centre won the 'Army Young Blood Firing Championship' in 2005 and stood second in 2006.
The Ferocious Fourteenth has won the Division and Command Football Championships and has fielded four players for the Army Red's & Green's. It has also bagged the first position in the Division Cambrian Patrol Championship 2009 -10 & will be fielding its patrol in the Command Championships later in the year
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 consists of 21 battalions; 14 regular units, three Rashtriya Rifles
Rashtriya Rifles
The Rashtriya Rifles or RR are a branch of the Indian Army placed under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs....
units, three infantry battalions of the Territorial Army and one battalion of Arunachal Scouts
Arunachal Scouts
Arunachal Scouts is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It was raised to defend India's border with Tibet in Arunachal Pradesh. It specializes in mountain warfare.-History:...
. It recruits exclusively from all the Seven Sister States
Seven Sister States
The Seven Sister States also called "Paradise Unexplored" is a name given to the contiguous states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland & Tripura in northeastern India. These states cover an area of about 250,000 sq. km. or about 7 percent of India's total area. They...
of North-East India
India
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...
.
Insignia
The Regimental Center of the Regiment is situated at Happy Valley, ShillongShillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
. It has chosen the rhino
Indian Rhinoceros
The Indian Rhinoceros is also called Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian One-horned Rhinoceros and belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family...
as the emblem that is seen on the berets and on the belts that the soldiers (the self-named "Rhinos") wear proudly.The Regimental salutation of Tagra Raho is unique. In India, rhinos are found in the state of Assam which is also known for its tea gardens and oil refineries. The unique greeting adopted by the regiment as Tagda Raho was introduced by late Maj Gen SC Barbosa who commanded 2 Assam Regiment in 1960s.Originally he was commissioned in 1 Assam regiment.The Commanding Officer used to enquire about the health of the jawan saying : Tagda Hai ? Invariably, the answer used to be : Tagda Hai Saheb. This greeting became popular in a very short time.
History
The initial draft of the regiment was drawn from the undivided state of Assam, consisting of the doughty Ahoms who had proved their martial prowess by defeating the Mughals at the Battle of SaraighatBattle of Saraighat
The Battle of Saraighat was fought in 1671 between the Mughal empire , and the Ahom Kingdom on the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat, now in Guwahati...
and the hardy, tough and cheerful Nagas, Mizos, Kukis, Garos, Manipuris and other tribals. Later, the Adis, nishis, Monpas, other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, domiciled Gorkhas and Sikkimese were also drafted into the regiment and, today, the regiment can boast of being composed of troops of diverse customs, cultures, languages, traditions and ethos belonging to the seven states of the North-East.
The Regiment was raised on 15 June 1941 in Shillong by Lt Col Ross Howman to meet the claim of the then undivided State of Assam for its own fighting unit and to counter the threat of the Japanese invasion of India. The young regiment soon proved its capabilities within three years of its raising, at the consecutive battles of Jessami, the epic defence of Kohima and the capture of Aradura, all of which were awarded as Battle Honours (now as Pre-Independence Battle Honours) to the Regiment. The Regiment earned high praise for its combat skills in World War II. After independence, the Regiment gained in strength and its battalions have taken part in all wars and counter-insurgency operations with distinction. It was awarded a Battle Honour for its tenacious defence at Chamb in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Two battalions were part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force
Indian Peace Keeping Force
Indian Peace Keeping Force was the Indian military contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990...
s in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
in 1988 and a battalion served in Cambodia in 1993 as part of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia was a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cambodia in 1992–93. It was also the first occasion on which the UN had taken over the administration of an independent state, organized and run an election , had its own radio station and jail,...
. Three Territorial Army (TA) battalions and three Rashtriya Rifles
Rashtriya Rifles
The Rashtriya Rifles or RR are a branch of the Indian Army placed under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs....
(RR) battalions are affiliated with the Regiment. The unique cultural and tribal character of the Regiment makes for a fine combination of cheerful, tough and willing soldiery who excel in operations in mountainous and jungle terrain. The Regimental Colours are Black and Gold (State colours of undivided Assam) and Scarlet (the colour of the Infantry). Badges are of Silver and Black. The side arm is the 'Dah'. The Regimental Language is Hindi. When spoken in the regiment, it is a quaint and unique mixture of Hindi generously sprinkled with words from all the Northeast languages and sounds cryptic to the uninitiated.
The area of Elephant Falls in Shillong was chosen to raise the First Battalion and here, under British instructors, the troops were trained to become a fighting machine. Within six months of its raising, the regiment was ordered to move to Digboi to defend the oil fields. In early 1942, it moved to Ledo and was involved in reconnoitring the alignment for the famous Stilwell Road. In 1944, when the invasion of India by Japan was imminent, the regiment was moved to Jessami and Kharasom to delay the advance of the 31st Japanese division.
In its very first operation, the regiment won 71 gallantry awards. In addition, the regiment won six battle honours including Jessami, Kohima, Aradura, Toungoo, Kyaukmyaung Bridge-head and Mawlaik. It was also awarded the theatre honour Burma: 1942-45. Seldom has a regiment won so many gallantry awards, battle honours and theatre awards in a single campaign.
The Regiment, from a small group of three battalions at the time of Independence, has now become 22-battalion strong with 15 regular battalions, three Rashtriya Rifles battalions, three units of Territorial Army and 1 battalion of Arunanchal scouts, raised specifically for counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir. After Independence, the battalions of the regiment participated in all the conflicts against China and Pakistan and proved their mettle in each one of them. Two of its battalions, 4 Assam and 7 Assam, have had the privilege of being part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and 1 Assam, 15th Assam has 10th Assam the unique distinction of being part of UN Peace Keeping Force in Cambodia(UNTAC), lebanon (UNIFIL) and Congo respectevely.
Honours & Awards
- 2 Maha Vir ChakraMaha Vir ChakraThe Maha Vir Chakra is the second highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It may be awarded posthumously. Literally Maha Veer means extraordinarily brave.-Appearance:The medal is made...
, - 3 Kirti ChakraKirti ChakraThe Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra...
, - 5 Vir ChakraVir ChakraVir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
s, - 1 Ashoka ChakraAshoka Chakra AwardThe Ashok Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other...
(Class III)(now Shaurya Chakra), - 14 Shaurya ChakraShaurya ChakraThe Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra...
s, - 2 Padma ShriPadma ShriPadma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
s, - 5 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals,
- 1 Yudh Seva Medal,
- 51 Sena MedalSena MedalThis article is about the Sena Medal, an Indian Military decoration. 'SM' redirects here The Sena Medal is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army." Awards may be made...
s and - 9 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Regimental Battalions
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion - Second to None
- 3rd Battalion - The Phantom Third
- 4th Battalion - Formidable Fourth
- 5th Battalion - Fighting fifth
- 6th Battalion - The Sabre Sixth
- 7th Battalion - Striking Seventh
- 8th Battalion - The Head Hunters
- 9th Battalion - The Nimble Ninth
- 10th Battalion - The Thundering Tenth
- 12th Battalion - Daring Dozen
- 14th Battalion - Ferocious Fourteenth
- 15th Battalion - One Five
- 16th Battalion
- 119 Infantry Battalion(T.A)- Assam Terriers
- 165 Infantry Battalion(T.A)- Manipur Terriers
- 166 Infantry Battalion(T.A)- Tezpur Terriers
- 35th Rashtriya Rifles
- 42nd Rashtriya Rifles
- 59th Rashtriya Rifles
- Arunachal Scouts
By 2006 the regiment had grown into a family of 19 battalions, 13 regular units, three Rashtriya Rifles units and three infantry battalions of the Territorial Army. Comprising exclusively troops from all the seven North-Eastern states, the regiment has established itself as a highly respected infantry regiment of Indian Army. In its six decades of martial history, the regiment has served with distinction in different wars and in various operational areas of the country. It has also been a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and UN Peace Keeping Force in Cambodia. The regiment has won seven battle honours, three theatre honours, six exclusive unit citations and several gallantry awards.
The 42nd Rashtriya Rifles (Assam) formed specially to combat insurgency and terrorism, came into existence at a simple inaugural ceremony at the Assam Regimental Centre, Happy Valley in Shillong. Major General I. J. S Bora, GOC 101 Area, unfurled the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) flag heralding the formal raising of the battalion which would be commanded by Lt. Col. Naresh Razora. Smartly turned out guards of the new battalion presented the major general salute in presence of officers, jawans and their families of 101 area and 42nd RR battalion. While four RR battalions had already been raised in the recent past, the 41st RR battalion (Maratha Light Infantry) was simultaneously raised in Karnataka's Belgaum. Major General Bora said as Meghalaya was relatively peaceful, there was no contemplation of deployment of armed forces at present. The force, raised to relieve the Army of counter insurgency operations, proved its mettle both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East.
The Phantom Third recently celebrated its Diamond Jubliee.
The Sabre Sixth has been selected for Ceremonial Duties at Rashtrapati Bhawan for its outstanding work in Counter Terrorist operations.
The contingent of the Assam Regiment has won the award for the "Best Marching Contingent" twice in the republic day celebrations held at Delhi in 1995 and 2004.
The team of the Assam Regimental Centre won the 'Army Young Blood Firing Championship' in 2005 and stood second in 2006.
The Ferocious Fourteenth has won the Division and Command Football Championships and has fielded four players for the Army Red's & Green's. It has also bagged the first position in the Division Cambrian Patrol Championship 2009 -10 & will be fielding its patrol in the Command Championships later in the year