JBH22
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"It is one of the simplest truths of war that the thing which enables an infantry soldier to keep going with his weapons is the near presence or the presumed presence of a comrade"
The Indian civilization is a rich mosaic of many diverse ethnic groups and cultures, a Rainbow Coalition. Waves of successive emigrations from the Central Asian heartland to the rich alluvial plains of India created this melting pot of many cultures and ethnic groups. The Indian Army is a microcosm that faithfully represents the rich and vibrant diversity of the Indian macrocosm. India can boast of many fighting ethnic groups who have thousands of years of soldiering behind them. Some of the ethnic groups found in our Regiments today were mentioned in the epic Mahabharata some 3500 years ago. The Mahabharata mentions the Dogratas and Tigratas (the Dogras of today) it mentions the soldiers of Mathura (Ahirs, Jats, Yadavas) and Maghada (Bihar).
It also mentions Naga warriors (like Ghatotkach) and warriors from Kamrupa (Assam) who were experts in handling war elephants. The famed fighting ethnic groups like Dogras, Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats, Gorkhas, Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Biharis and Assamese were moulded by the British into the European Regimental system. Initially, the British Indian units did their own recruitment. Then a mother or base depot was established to train and supply recruits. These metamorphosed into the Regimental Centres that today train and supply recruits to various battalions of the Regiment (that are generally serially numbered). Thus, depending upon the size of the Regiment, a Centre could feed from six to twenty battalions.
The Regimental Centre is the 'alma mater'; it is the repository of its traditions, trophies and artifacts. The new recruit joins the Centre, becomes a trained soldier, takes his oath of loyalty and joins his Battalion. Some two decades later he returns to the Regimental Centre for his release and discharge drill. He goes back home as a retired soldier and pensioner. This unique Regimental system creates a mini ethno-universe of sorts – a cultural microcosm that faithfully replicates and preserves the cultural and ethnic background and context that the recruit comes from. It is the primary system of bonding for combat and creates an extended family system. It gives the recruit and young officer an identity and a deep sense of belonging. It forges the bonds of camaraderie and trust that see the soldier through the stress and trauma of combat.
The recruit is taught to die for the Izzat, the honour, of his Paltan and the Colours of his Rgiment. The central credos are 'Nam', 'Namak' and 'Nishan'. Nam signifies the good name of the unit, Namak signifies fidelity to the salt and the oath the soldier takes, the Nishan is its sacred flag or emblem that can never be lowered on the battlefield. It must always flutter triumphantly. It is an amazing system for combat motivation and bonding. The Regimental system has stood the test o repeated wars and conflicts.
Indian Regiments have performed superbly in the first and Second World Wars in diverse battlefields over the whole world. Post-Independence they have kept up this sterling performance. The most recent test of the Regimental system came with Kargil and once again the sterling worth of the Indian Regimental system and the ethos it generates was proved beyond a shadow of doubt. The CNN, BBC, Star TV and other channels put martial India on telematic display for the whole world to see.
The Regimental system, in essence, is the primary basis for combat motivation in the Indian Army. It provides a sense of military identity – through unique and colourful uniforms and accoutrement – hackles, lanyards, cap badges and shoulder flashes and ornate turbans that tie the recruit to centuries of martial traditions of bravery and sacrifice as a way of life. Regiments have their Colours, their sacred Flags. They have their battle honours, their rich customs and traditions and rituals. Rituals tie us to our origins. These weave the skein of a distinct ethno identity dedicated to fostering combat bonds, cohesion and tremendous motivation.
On Republic Day the Indian Regiments present a carnival of colours, pomp and pageantry. Beyond these colours and ceremonials, however, lies a matchless system for combat bonding and combat motivation that has stood the test of time. This Rainbow of Regiments has served India very well in all her wars. These have become unique and immortal national institutions beyond compare. These must be nurtured and preserved. The Indian Army has three types of Regiments:-
* Single Class: Like the Sihs, Dogras, Jats or Garhwalis. These have troops from a single class.
* Fixed Class: Regiments like the Grendiers, Rajputana Rifles, Rajputs or Kumaonis have fixed ethnic groups, viz Dogras and Jats, Jats and Rajputs, or Ahirs and Kumaonis or Dogras and Sikhs or Rajputs and Gujars etc.
* All India All Class: These were generally raised in the post-independence period and contain a heterogeneous mix of all Indian classes. Stellar examples are the Guards and Parachute Regiments or the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
From these simple organizational ingredients has been born a tremendous system of combat cohesion, combat bonding and combat motivation. Men do not sacrifice themselves in the battlefield for the pay they get. Many years ago Philip Mason had written "Men may come to the colours for pay, but it is not for the pay alone that they win the Victoria Cross". The Regimental system motivates them to make the supreme sacrifice.
In the pages that follow, the colourful Regiments of the Indian Army are presented in brief outline.
http://www.indiandefencereview.com/military-and-space/Infantry-Regiments-The-cutting-edge-of-Soldiering.html
S.L.A. Marshal 'Men Against Fire', 1947
The Indian civilization is a rich mosaic of many diverse ethnic groups and cultures, a Rainbow Coalition. Waves of successive emigrations from the Central Asian heartland to the rich alluvial plains of India created this melting pot of many cultures and ethnic groups. The Indian Army is a microcosm that faithfully represents the rich and vibrant diversity of the Indian macrocosm. India can boast of many fighting ethnic groups who have thousands of years of soldiering behind them. Some of the ethnic groups found in our Regiments today were mentioned in the epic Mahabharata some 3500 years ago. The Mahabharata mentions the Dogratas and Tigratas (the Dogras of today) it mentions the soldiers of Mathura (Ahirs, Jats, Yadavas) and Maghada (Bihar).
It also mentions Naga warriors (like Ghatotkach) and warriors from Kamrupa (Assam) who were experts in handling war elephants. The famed fighting ethnic groups like Dogras, Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats, Gorkhas, Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Biharis and Assamese were moulded by the British into the European Regimental system. Initially, the British Indian units did their own recruitment. Then a mother or base depot was established to train and supply recruits. These metamorphosed into the Regimental Centres that today train and supply recruits to various battalions of the Regiment (that are generally serially numbered). Thus, depending upon the size of the Regiment, a Centre could feed from six to twenty battalions.
The Regimental Centre is the 'alma mater'; it is the repository of its traditions, trophies and artifacts. The new recruit joins the Centre, becomes a trained soldier, takes his oath of loyalty and joins his Battalion. Some two decades later he returns to the Regimental Centre for his release and discharge drill. He goes back home as a retired soldier and pensioner. This unique Regimental system creates a mini ethno-universe of sorts – a cultural microcosm that faithfully replicates and preserves the cultural and ethnic background and context that the recruit comes from. It is the primary system of bonding for combat and creates an extended family system. It gives the recruit and young officer an identity and a deep sense of belonging. It forges the bonds of camaraderie and trust that see the soldier through the stress and trauma of combat.
The recruit is taught to die for the Izzat, the honour, of his Paltan and the Colours of his Rgiment. The central credos are 'Nam', 'Namak' and 'Nishan'. Nam signifies the good name of the unit, Namak signifies fidelity to the salt and the oath the soldier takes, the Nishan is its sacred flag or emblem that can never be lowered on the battlefield. It must always flutter triumphantly. It is an amazing system for combat motivation and bonding. The Regimental system has stood the test o repeated wars and conflicts.
Indian Regiments have performed superbly in the first and Second World Wars in diverse battlefields over the whole world. Post-Independence they have kept up this sterling performance. The most recent test of the Regimental system came with Kargil and once again the sterling worth of the Indian Regimental system and the ethos it generates was proved beyond a shadow of doubt. The CNN, BBC, Star TV and other channels put martial India on telematic display for the whole world to see.
The Regimental system, in essence, is the primary basis for combat motivation in the Indian Army. It provides a sense of military identity – through unique and colourful uniforms and accoutrement – hackles, lanyards, cap badges and shoulder flashes and ornate turbans that tie the recruit to centuries of martial traditions of bravery and sacrifice as a way of life. Regiments have their Colours, their sacred Flags. They have their battle honours, their rich customs and traditions and rituals. Rituals tie us to our origins. These weave the skein of a distinct ethno identity dedicated to fostering combat bonds, cohesion and tremendous motivation.
On Republic Day the Indian Regiments present a carnival of colours, pomp and pageantry. Beyond these colours and ceremonials, however, lies a matchless system for combat bonding and combat motivation that has stood the test of time. This Rainbow of Regiments has served India very well in all her wars. These have become unique and immortal national institutions beyond compare. These must be nurtured and preserved. The Indian Army has three types of Regiments:-
* Single Class: Like the Sihs, Dogras, Jats or Garhwalis. These have troops from a single class.
* Fixed Class: Regiments like the Grendiers, Rajputana Rifles, Rajputs or Kumaonis have fixed ethnic groups, viz Dogras and Jats, Jats and Rajputs, or Ahirs and Kumaonis or Dogras and Sikhs or Rajputs and Gujars etc.
* All India All Class: These were generally raised in the post-independence period and contain a heterogeneous mix of all Indian classes. Stellar examples are the Guards and Parachute Regiments or the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
From these simple organizational ingredients has been born a tremendous system of combat cohesion, combat bonding and combat motivation. Men do not sacrifice themselves in the battlefield for the pay they get. Many years ago Philip Mason had written "Men may come to the colours for pay, but it is not for the pay alone that they win the Victoria Cross". The Regimental system motivates them to make the supreme sacrifice.
In the pages that follow, the colourful Regiments of the Indian Army are presented in brief outline.
http://www.indiandefencereview.com/military-and-space/Infantry-Regiments-The-cutting-edge-of-Soldiering.html
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