The Garhwal Rifles
The Garhwal Rifles is a light infantry or 'rifle' regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised as the 39th Garhwal Rifles of the Bengal Army, became part of the old Indian Army, and received its present name on Indian independence. It served during the Frontier campaigns of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, as well in both the World Wars and the wars fought after Independence. Mainly made up of Garhwali soldiers, this regiment has a distinguished record and a unique identity. Today it is made up of more than 25,000 soldiers, organised into nineteen regular battalions (i.e. 2nd to 19th), the Garhwal Scouts who are stationed permanently at Joshimath and two battalions of the Territorial Army including 121 Inf Bn TA and 127 Inf Bn TA (Eco). The 1st Battalion has been converted to a mechanised infantry unit as part of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment as its 6th battalion.
The regimental insignia is based on the defunct Royal Green Jackets as they are a designated rifle regiment.
Read more about The Garhwal Rifles: Recruitment, Early History, The First World War (1914–18), The Kotkai War (1919–1920), Link To The Indian Nationalist Movement, The Second World War (1939–45), Post Independence, Indo-China War of 1962, 1971 War, Post 1971, The Kargil Operations in 1999, Operation Sarp Vinash 2003, Units, Reunion 2004, The Quasqui Centennial (125 Yrs) Celebrations, The Regimental Centre — Lansdowne, Colonels of The Garhwal Rifles and Scouts, See Also
Famous quotes containing the word rifles:
“Oh, God, why do they do this to us? We only wanted to live, you and I. Why should they send us out to fight each other? If we threw away these rifles and these uniforms, you could be my brother.”
—Maxwell Anderson (1888–1959)