Assam Regiment

Not to be confused with Assam Rifles.
Assam Regiment
Insignia of the Assam Regiment
Active15 June 1941 – present
Country India
Branch Indian Army
TypeInfantry
Size25 battalions
Regimental CentreHappy Valley, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Nickname(s)The Rhinos'[1]
Motto(s)Asam Vikram (Unique Valour)
War CryRhino Charge
MarchRegimental Song: Badluram Ka Badan
Anniversaries15 June (Raising Day)
EngagementsWorld War II, Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, Sino-Indian War of 1962, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, 1992, Operation Vijay (Kargil War), 1999, Operation Parakram, 2002 (Stand-off), United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, 2020 China–India skirmishes
Decorations1 Ashoka Chakra, 5 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 2 Maha Vir Chakra, 7 Kirti Chakra, 5 Vir Chakras, 19 Shaurya Chakras, 2 Padma Shris, 5 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 6 Yudh Seva Medals, 51Sena Medals and 20 Vishisht Seva Medals and 2 Bars
Commanders
Colonel of the RegimentLt Gen M. V. Suchindra Kumar, AVSM, YSM**, VSM[2]
Notable
commanders		Major General S. C. Barbora, Padma Shri Brig BC Pandey, Brig. Thenphunga Sailo, AVSM, Lt Gen Balwant Singh Negi, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, SM, VSM*, ADC
Insignia
Regimental InsigniaOne-horned Rhino
ColorsBlack, Scarlet, Green and Gold

The Assam Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army.[3] The regiment consists of 25 battalions: 15 regular battalions, 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalions, 5 Territorial Army battalions (including 2 ecological battalions) and 2 Arunachal Scouts battalions. It recruits exclusively from all the eight Northeastern states of India.

History

Raising

The regiment was raised on 15 June 1941 in Shillong by Major (later Brigadier) Ross Cosens Howman OBE 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.[4] The area of Elephant Falls in Shillong was chosen to raise the first battalion and it was there, under British instructors, that the first troops were trained. The initial draft of the regiment was drawn from undivided Assam, and consisted of the doughty Ahoms of Assam who had proved their martial prowess by defeating the Mughals at the Battle of Saraighat. The Assam Rifles provided a trained nucleus of 500 JCOs, NCOs and men to raise the newly formed regiment.[5] The hardy, tough and cheerful Misings, Boros, Nagas, Kukis, Khasis, karbi, Garos, Meiteis and later on, the Adis, Nishis, Monpas, other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India domiciled Gorkhas and Sikkimese and other tribes 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 all the eight Northeastern states of India.[6] Two battalions currently also have Dogras, Garhwalis, Gorkhas and South Indian classes.[7]

Men who helped to raise the Assam Regiment in 1941. Left to right: Mr. RGR Cumming, Inspector General of Police Assam, Brigadier Ross Howman, and Lieutenant Colonel William Felix “Bruno” Brown.
World War II

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 reconnoitering 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 Japanese 31st Division. The young regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Felix “Bruno” Brown 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 known as pre-independence battle honours) to the regiment. The regiment earned high praise for its combat skills in World War II. In its 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.[8][9][10]

Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948

3 ASSAM participated in the operations in the first war after independence.[11]

Sino-Indian War, 1962

4 ASSAM was deployed during the war against China.[11]

Indo-Pakistani war of 1971

2 and 5 ASSAM were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir during the war. 3 and 4 ASSAM were in Punjab in the western front, while 6 ASSAM, the Assam Regimental Centre and 119 TA were in the eastern sector. Troops from the regiment took part in the battles of Chhamb, Fazilka and Uri in the west and Balurghat / Hilli and Dawki sectors in the east. 5 ASSAM lost 5 officers and 19 other ranks during the war. The unit was awarded the battle honour of Chhamb.[11] 3 ASSAM lost 4 officers, 3 JCOs and 31 other ranks during the battle at Fazilka.[12]

Operation Blue Star, 1984

1, 6, 8 and 10 ASSAM were involved in the operations to neutralise the terrorists in the Golden Temple at Amritsar.[11]

Operation Meghdoot

Since 1984, many units of the regiment have been deployed in the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world. They include 5 (1984), 2 (1985), 3 (1986), 14 (1992-4), 15 (1997-8), 4 (1999-2000), 14 (2003-5) and 1 ASSAM (2012-14).[11]

Operation Falcon

7, 10 and 12 ASSAM were instrumental in withdrawal of the Chinese troops during the Sumdorong Chu standoff in 1986.[11]

Operation Avert

3 and 14 ASSAM helped the Punjab Police with the border sealing operations in 1987-88 to control the infiltration of terrorists from across the border.[11]

Operation Pawan

Two battalions (4 ASSAM) were part of the Indian Peace Keeping Forces in Sri Lanka in 1988.[11]

Operation Vijay

The following units were deployed during the Kargil War. 1 ASSAM was deployed in the Machhal sector between 2000-1, 9 ASSAM was at Kupwara between 2000-2, 9 ASSAM was at Tangdhar from 1998-2000, 15 ASSAM at Gandharbal and Uri between 1998-9. 35 Rashtriya Rifles was in Badgam sector, 42 Rashtriya Rifles was at Chowkibal-Treghgam and then in Tral sectors. 119 TA was deployed for road opening duties and for protection of 15 Corps headquarters.[11]

Operation Parakram

3, 4, 6 and 7 ASSAM were deployed in the western sector as part of the mobilisation of troops following the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001.[11]

United Nations operations
Counter-insurgency operations

The regiment has taken part in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and in the North East.[11][12]

6 ASSAM taking charge of ceremonial duties at Rashtrapati Bhavan, July 2006
Others

6 ASSAM has performed ceremonial duties at Rashtrapati Bhavan and was selected for its outstanding work in counter terrorist operations. 14 ASSAM won the Division and Command Football Championships and had fielded four players for the Army Reds & Greens. It had also won the first position in the Division Cambrian Patrol Championship 2009–2010. 10 ASSAM won the division firing and sniper competition for the year 2011–2012. The contingent of the Assam Regiment was judged "Best Marching Contingent" thrice in the Republic Day celebrations held at Delhi in 1995, 2004 and 2016.[13] The team of the Assam Regimental Centre won the 'Army Young Blood Firing Championship' in 2005 and stood second in 2006.[14]

12 ASSAM conducted outstanding Counter-insurgency Operations in Arunachal Pradesh, from Mar 2012-Jun 2015, arresting 48 militants, killing 4, seizing 37 weapons and taking 7 surrenders. The battalion also had an outstanding performance in sports and won the 'Best in Sports' trophy in 2015.

In 2019, the 8 ASSAM participated in Yudh Abhyas 2019, representing India, along the US Army.[15] 9 ASSAM was part of the exercise in 2022.[16]

In 2020, 12 ASSAM was deployed in the Chinese border and 17 ASSAM was deployed in Ladakh as a part of additional forces.

Heraldry

The regiment's insignia is the one-horned rhino over a scroll underneath depicting the words 'Assam Regt'.[17][18] The insignia is worn on the berets and belts that the soldiers (the self-named "Rhinos") wear. In India, rhinos are found in the state of Assam which is also known for its tea gardens and oil refineries.

The regimental colours are black and gold (the colours of undivided Assam) and scarlet (the colour of the infantry). Rank badges are coloured silver and black.[17]

The regimental salutation of tagra raho (stay strong/fit) is unique in the Indian Army. This unique greeting adopted by the regiment was introduced by Major General S.C. Barbora, who commanded 2 Assam Regiment in 1960s. Originally commissioned in 1 Assam Regiment, the Commanding Officer used to enquire about the morale of the Rhinos' (soldiers) by asking them "Tagra Hai ?" ("are you strong/fit?") Invariably, the answer used to be "Tagra Hai Saheb" ("I am strong/fit, sir"). This greeting became popular in a very short time.[19][20]

The motto of the regiment is Asam Vikram, which means 'unique valour'. The war cry of the regiment is 'Rhino charge'.[21] The regimental song is Badluram Ka Badan.[22]

The regimental language at the time of its formation was Roman Urdu.[8] The present language is Hindi. When spoken in the regiment, it is a quaint and unique mixture of Hindi generously sprinkled with words from all the northeastern languages and sounds cryptic to the uninitiated.

Uniform

The regiment wears a hat, called the Rhino Hat, with the right side lowered, a Rhino with a black diamond-shaped flash on the left (Rhino facing front) and black strap under the chin. The shoulder title has the words "ASSAM".[23] A ceremonial 'Dah' is also carried with the belt on ceremonial occasions.[17]

The Assam Regiment contingent at the Republic Day parade, 2006.

Affiliations

  • 106 Air Force Squadron - The Assam Regiment and Arunachal Scouts of Indian Army were affiliated with the 106 Air Force Squadron at Tezpur on 15 February 2021.[24]

Honours and awards

Theatre honours

Pre independence[4]
  • Burma - 1 ASSAM
Post independence[4]
  • J & K 1947–48 - 3 ASSAM
  • J & K, 1971 - 5 ASSAM

Battle honours

The following units of the Assam Regiment have won the following honours[25]

Pre independence[8]
  • Jessami, Aradura, Toungoo, Defence of Kohima, Kyaukmyaung Bridge, Mawlaik - 1 ASSAM
Post independence[4]
  • Chhamb, 1971 - 5 ASSAM[26]

Gallantry awards

The regiment has been awarded the following gallantry awards -

Pre-independence[6][27]
Soldiers of the Assam Regiment.
Post independence[24]

Regimental Centre

The regimental centre is located at Happy Valley in Shillong. The first commanding officer was Major Bola Singh Lama and the first Subedar Major of the centre was Subedar Major Kaliprasad Khatri.[6] The centre, which is known as the "Cradle of Northeastern Martial Prowess" became the first regimental centre to be awarded the GOC-in-C, Unit Citation in 2011.[31]

Regimental battalions

An Assam Regiment soldier on guard at India Gate, New Delhi.
Personnel from Assam Regiment during Yudh Abhyas exercise in 2019
Battalion Raising Date Nickname Remarks References
1st Battalion 15 June 1941 Always First Raised at Shillong by Major RC Howman [12][27]
2nd Battalion 1 October 1963 Second to None Raised by Lieutenant Colonel IN Macleod on 15 April 1942, re-raised on 1 October 1963 at Shillong under Major MS Behl. Lieutenant Colonel SC Barbosa was the first commanding officer. [12][32]
3rd Battalion 1 November 1945 Phantom Third Raised by Lieutenant Colonel FRS Cosens [12][32]
4th Battalion 1 October 1960 Formidable Fourth Raised by Lieutenant Colonel T Sailo at Shillong [12]
5th Battalion 1 November 1963 Fighting Fifth, Chhamb Battalion Raised by Lieutenant Colonel SS Chowdhary at Shillong [12][33]
6th Battalion 1 April 1964 Sabre Sixth Raised by Lieutenant Colonel Balwan Singh at Shillong [12][21]
7th Battalion 1 January 1976 Striking Seventh, MVC Paltan Raised by Lieutenant Colonel P Shivpuri at Tamulpur [12]
8th Battalion 1 March 1978 Head Hunters, Tigers of Lolab Raised by Lieutenant Colonel YP Singh at Rangapahar [12]
9th Battalion 1 August 1980 Nimble Ninth Raised by Lieutenant Colonel JR Mukherjee at Shillong
10th Battalion 1 January 1981 Thundering Tenth Raised by Lieutenant Colonel MS Jamwal at Shillong
12th Battalion 11 February 1985 Daring Dozen Raised by Lieutenant Colonel JS Antal at Shillong
14th Battalion 15 October 1985 Ferocious Fourteenth Raised by Colonel Gurdip Singh at Shillong [34]
15th Battalion 15 July 1987 One Five Raised by Lieutenant Colonel BK Gandhi at Shillong [35]
16th Battalion 15 February 2010 Soaring Sixteen Raised by Colonel Harjot Singh at Shillong
17th Battalion 1 September 2011 Saggital Ek Saat Raised by Colonel Avanish Singhal at Umroi Military Station
119 Infantry Battalion (TA) 1949 Assam Terriers Shillong, Meghalaya [36]
165 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Home & Hearth) 1 November 2005 Manipur Terriers Imphal, Manipur [37]
166 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Home & Hearth) 2006 Tezpur Terriers Tezpur, Assam [38]
134 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Eco-Task Force) 20 September 2007 Jungle Warriors, Eastern Planters Rangiya, Assam [39][40]
135 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Eco-Task Force) 2008 Green Rhinos Sonitpur, Assam [41]
35 Rashtriya Rifles 1 September 1994
42 Rashtriya Rifles 1 March 2001
59 Rashtriya Rifles 31 March 2004
1 Arunachal Scouts 10 November 2010 Raised at Shillong [42][43]
2 Arunachal Scouts 1 June 2013 Raised at Umroi Cantt under Colonel Neelesh Anand Pagulwar [42][44]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Rhinos gather in Shillong to celebrate 75 years of Assam Regiment". The Times of India. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Gazette of India No 45" (PDF). 7 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  3. ^ "The Assam Regiment". Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "The Assam Regiment Celebrates Platinum Jubilee". 16 November 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  5. ^ "USI Journal, Volume CIX". 1 October 1979. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Steyn, Captain Peter (1959). The History Of The Assam Regiment, Volume 1. Orient Longmans Pvt Ltd.
  7. ^ "Assam Regiment". Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "The advance towards Kohima". Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Saving Kohima: the role of the Assam Regiment in 1944". Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Lieutenant Colonel William Felix ('Bruno') Brown DSO OBE". 13 August 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Sons of Bhramaputra". Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Celebrating 75 Years Of Dedicated Service To The Nation". 8 March 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Assam Regiment adjudged Best Marching Contingent on Republic Day Parade 2016". 28 January 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  14. ^ "The Assam Regiment has participated in all the wars in the last 75 years". 12 November 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  15. ^ "India, US soldiers dance to Assam Regiment song". 16 September 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Yudh Abhyas 22 Opens in the Himalayas". 19 November 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Shrivastava, VK; Bakshi, GD (2000). Infantry, a Glint of the Bayonet. Lancer Publishers. ISBN 978-8170622840.
  18. ^ "Cap badge, Assam Regiment, 1941-1947". Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Assam Regiment platinum jubilee in Meghalaya". 15 September 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Tagra Raho - Stay fit & Healthy". 15 October 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  21. ^ a b "6th Bn The Assam Regiment Army Postal Service APO Cover". 1 April 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Badluram Ka Badan: The History Behind The Assam Regiment's Iconic Company Song". 15 November 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  23. ^ "Shoulder title, Assam Regiment". Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Inter Service Affiliation Of The Assam Regiment And Arunachal Scouts With 106 Air Force Squadron". 15 February 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Rolls of Honour". 3 March 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Assam Regiment remembers its heroes of 1971 war". 12 June 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  27. ^ a b "1 Assam Platinum Jubilee". 15 June 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Hangpan Dada". 8 November 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Rajeev Sandhu". Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Major Sonam Wangchuk (MVC), hero of Chorbat La in Kargil War". 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Assam Regimental Centre has been awarded GOC-in-C, Unit citation". The Times of India. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  32. ^ a b David, Altaf Alfroid (1969). Know Your Armed Forces. Army Educational Stores.
  33. ^ "Assam Regiment celebrates 100th birthday of Brigadier". 5 January 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  34. ^ "33 Raising day of 14 battalion of Assam Rifles celebrated". 16 October 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  35. ^ "15 Assam Regiment Celebrates its Raising Day". 24 July 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  36. ^ "The Assam Terriers To Celebrate Its Platinum Jubliee Raising Day Tomorrow". 21 August 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  37. ^ "165 Inf Bn (TA) Assam celebrates 60th territorial army day". 15 October 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  38. ^ "Defence Ministry approves raising Territorial Army Battalion". 25 January 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  39. ^ "'Jungle Warriors': Fighting deforestation, protecting green heritage on Assam-Arunachal border". ThePrint. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  40. ^ "In Assam, the army's green task force sows seeds of revival in milk packs". 4 June 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  41. ^ "Ecological task force should be raised in Manipur". 31 October 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Time for Arunachal Regiment?". 28 April 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  43. ^ "Khandu hails 2 Arunachal Scouts on 10 years of service to the nation". 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  44. ^ "2 Arunachal Scouts completes 10 years". 2 June 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2024.

Bibliography

  • Steyn, Captain Peter (1959) The History Of The Assam Regiment, Volume 1, Orient Longmans Pvt Ltd [1]
  • Pillai, Lieutenant General SK (2004) Asam Vikram - Unique Valour - History of the Assam Regiment 1947-2002, Macmillan India, Delhi
  • Sailo, Subedar Lalthanmawia (1990) Indopui Pahnihna - 1st Assam Regiment (Mizo), Arbee Publication, Aizwal [2]