Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Jamwal Rajputs of Jammu

Three Indian army generals from one family

After around 35 to 40 years of serving the army and being posted all over the country, Lt Gen (retd) Anup Singh Jamwal, Lt Gen (retd)Kuldip Singh Jamwal and Maj Gen(retd) RajinderSingh Jamwal found themselves posted in record books.

Gurha Slathia, their native village south of Jammu, where two of the brothers are currently settled, was in the limelight for nine out of 10 men having served the army, Gurha Slathia village is having 14 serving colonels and several Brigadiers at one time.

Lt Gen Anup Singh Jamwal commissioned in December 1966 and Lt General Kuldip Singh in 1967 both from the regiment of artillery and commissioned into the EME in December 1973, RajinderSingh Jamwal became a General in March.

Jamwal Rajputs were rulers/soldiers of the Kingdom of Jammu, which in the 19th century expanded to annex Ladakh and invade Tibet. The greatest ruler was Maharaja Gulab Singh, and his greatest general was Zorawar Singh, a Kalhoooria Rajput. All these Rajput clans of Jammu are collectively called Dogras, and they speak the Dogri language. Their force was integrated into the Indian Army as a distinct regiment called: Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK RIF).

JAK RIF

Maharaja Gulab Singh gradually increased the strength of his army and groomed Gen Zorawar Singh for leadership and command. In 1834, Ladakh was captured and the first and proudest Battle Honour was awarded to the Regiment. Gen Zorawar Singh marched his army six times over the snow-laden ranges of Ladakh and Baltistan and consolidated the frontiers.

The greatest trial of the Regiment came in 1947 with the invasion of the Jammu and Kashmir State by Pakistan. It was Brig Rajinder Singh’s heroic stand at Uri and his rearguard action from Uri to Baramulla that saved the Valley from Pakistani invasion. He was posthumously awarded the first Maha Vir Chakra of independent India.

The siege of Skardu Fort held out by Lt Col Sher Jung Thapa is an example of unparalleled courage, devotion to duty and sacrifice against great odds.

In 1956, the Four JAK Infantry fought against Pakistani troops for 14 hours and prevented them from capturing Hussainiwala. For this, the unit won a Shaurya Chakra, a Kirti Chakra and an Ashoka Chakra. Khem Karan 1965, saw the then Colonel of the Regiment Lt Gen KS Katoch, decorated with Padma Vibhushan for his leadership.

The Regiment fought many counter Insurgency operations in the North East, Punjab, J and K and won many laurels.

The Regiment once again rewrote the history of high altitude warfare and carved a niche for itself in the annals of military history during operation VIJAY. Display of sheer grit, determination and will power beyond comprehension, 13th Battalion the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles gave a bloody nose to the enemy in the Drass and Mushkoh valley sub sectors. The unit was instrumental in recapturing the strategic heights of Pt 5140 and Pt 4875.

In honour of the exceptionally gallant and sterling performance from these battles, 13 JAK RIF was awarded the prestigious “Unit Citation” by the Chief of Army Staff and title of “Bravest of the Brave”. The Battalion also has the rare distinction of being the highest decorated Battalion of Operation VIJAY with two Param Vir Chakras won by Captain Vikram Batra and Rfn Sanjay Kumar (Both posthumously).


This is the famous "Mantalai flag" captured by the Dogra Rajput forces after defeating the Chinese invaders in the Sino-Dogra War. The Treaty of Chushul was signed in 1842 between the Dogras, the Chinese, and the Tibetans:
It is relevant to recall an agreement signed between the Dogra rulers and Tibet and China after Zorawar Singh's forces put up a determined fight and avenged his death. Known as the Treaty of Chushul it says: "On this auspicious occasion, the second day of the month Asuj in the year 1899 we -- the officers of Lhasa, viz. firstly, Kalon Sukanwala, and secondly Bakshi Sapju, commander of the forces of the Empire of China, on the one hand, and Dewan Hari Chand and Wazir Ratnu, on behalf of Raja Gulab Singh, on the other -- agree together and swear before God that the friendship between Raja Gulab Singh and the Emperor of China and Lama Guru Sahib Lassawala will be kept and observed till eternity; for the traffic in shawl, pasham, and tea. We will observe our pledge to God, Gayatri, and Pasi. Wazir Mian Khusal Chu is witness."