The valiant saga of General Zorawar Singh and the enduring spirit of Fateh Shibji Paltan encapsulate the indomitable courage and strategic brilliance that characterize the military history of Jammu and Kashmir. From the heights of Ladakh to the plains of Hussainiwala, these warriors have etched their mark on Indian military glory. The 4th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK RIF) stands as a living tribute to the visionary leadership of General Zorawar Singh, a leader whose audacious campaigns and unwavering spirit continue to inspire generations of soldiers.
Born in September 1784 into a Kahluria Rajput family in present-day Himachal Pradesh, Zorawar Singh’s life journey unfolded, eventually earning him the moniker of the “Napoleon of India.” However, this comparison is subject to debate for valid reasons, given the unmatchable and extraordinary valor exhibited by General Zorawar Singh amidst the challenging terrains and harsh climates of the battlefields he encountered.
His destiny and remarkable capabilities propelled him into the inner circles of Maharaja Gulab Singh. Starting as a Sepoy of Kiladar of Reasi, he rose through the ranks, becoming the Commandant of Reasi Fort, and eventually assuming the pivotal roles of Governor (wazir-e-wazarat) of Kishtwar and the commissariat officer overseeing all forts north of Jammu.
Zorawar Singh’s military genius unfolded as he conquered the Himalayan mountains in different expeditions, including Ladakh, Baltistan, and Tibet. Known as the “Master of High Altitude Warfare,” he led campaigns through challenging passes like Bhotkol, Umasi La, Shiachun La, and Rubarung La, defying the rigors of the Tibetan climate. His conquests in the Ladakh campaign of 1834 and the winter invasion of Baltistan in 1839/40 demonstrated his unparalleled military acumen.
Having consolidated his hold over the Northwest by 1840, Zorawar Singh’s vision extended to Tibet, where he invoked Ladakhi claims and marched a 5,000-strong army in May 1841. The Fateh Shibji Paltan, now known as the 4th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, played a pivotal role in General Zorawar Singh’s trans-Himalayan campaigns. Raised and trained under the leadership of the Dogra Raja Gulab Singh, the unit became an integral part of Zorawar Singh’s “Jangi Fauj”.Zorawar Singh led a robust battalion, strategically composed of Ladakhis, Baltis, and his battle-seasoned Dogras, seizing the opportunity to establish his master as the unchallenged force in the northern Indian hill terrain. Employing Ladakh’s historical claims to western Tibet, reaching up to the Mayum Pass, Zorawar Singh evoked the rights possibly exercised before the 1684, Treaty of Tingmosgang-a historic peace accord between Ladakh and Tibet.
The General methodically eliminated all opposition, conquering Hanle, Tashigong, Rudok, and ultimately Gartok. Zorawar Singh journeyed past the revered Mansarovar Lake and reached the formidable fortress of Taklakot. On September 6, 1841, the fortress succumbed to the relentless advance. Tibet, extending to the Mayum Pass, now rested in Dogra hands. Garrisoning the captured forts, the main force established a camp at Tirthapuri, to the west of Lake Manasarovar, where administration was organized to govern the occupied territories.
Zorawar and his men covered a challenging 450-mile journey to realize the military ambition. They strategically constructed small forts and pickets along the route to maintain communication and supply lines. Among these was Fort Chi-T’ang, built near Taklakot and commanded by Mehta Basti Ram, who led 500 men and manned nine cannons. As the winter set in, the mountain passes became impassable. Despite Zorawar’s meticulous preparations, the harsh conditions made it difficult to sustain the Dogra army over such a long distance. The extreme cold, combined with relentless rain, snow, and lightning, persisted for weeks. Many soldiers suffered frostbite, and losing fingers and toes, while others succumbed to starvation or burned the wooden stocks of their muskets for warmth.
The Tibetans, along with their Chinese allies, regrouped and launched a counterattack, bypassing the Dogra fort at Chi-T’ang. This led to the Battle of To-yo during the Dogra-Tibetan war. On December 12, 1841, during the initial exchange of fire, the Rajput general was wounded in his right shoulder, forcing him to switch his sword to his left hand. Shortly after, Tibetan cavalry launched an attack on the Dogra troops, and in the ensuing chaos, Zorawar Singh was fatally struck by a lance from a Tibetan warrior. He died that same day near Taklakot. In recognition of his significant connection with Tibet, the Tibetans erected a memorial, shaped like a chorten or Samadhi, which houses his remains. This memorial stands in a remote location a few kilometers from Taklakot.
The Dogras seized the enemy’s standard, known as the ‘Mantalai Flag,’ during their expedition into Tibet at Taklakot in 1841. This prized possession remains with the 4th Battalion of the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles to this day, making it the sole captured Chinese flag in existence. It is currently exhibited at the JAK RIF Regimental Centre. The 4th Battalion JK Rifles, also known as Fateh Shibji, stands as the exclusive battalion that can proudly assert its achievement of confronting and defeating the Chinese on their territory.
The 30th of May is observed as Mantalai Day by the 4th JAKRIF (Fateh Shibji Paltan), commemorating the triumph of Dogra forces under the leadership of General Zorawar Singh over the joint Chinese and Tibetan troops in a significant battle at Dogpacha near Kailash Mansarovar in 1841. During this encounter, approximately 1,500 troops from the combined Tibetan and Chinese forces were decisively defeated.
Furthermore, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK RIF) Regiment boasts a distinctive and unparalleled identity as the only genuinely historical Indian regiment with complete indigenous origins. Unlike other regiments raised by the British, it was established by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of the Dogra Kingdom in Jammu and Kashmir, in 1820 as Dogra Forces at Jammu. In 1846, under the treaty of Amritsar, the territory of Kashmir came under the Maharaja Gulab Singh; and then the Dogra Forces was renamed as the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces. After the state’s accession to the Indian Union in October 1947, the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces came under the command of the Indian Army. They remained in the original form until 1956. After the Hussainiwal action in 1956, the Govt of India was so impressed with the valor of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces that it decided not to disband the entire State Forces and decided to merge them as it into the different arms and services regiments of the Indian army. In 1963, the Jammu and Kashmir Infantry was entirely absorbed into the Indian army byconverting it to the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK RIF). The peculiarity of the term Rifles is based on the fast pace of march steps that is 140 steps in one minute as compared to the 120 march steps of the infantry.
The JAK RIF played a crucial role in both the First and Second World Wars, not as part of the British Indian Army but as allies, with its native officers leading the way. Remarkably, it demonstrated valor against formidable adversaries such as the Germans, Turks, and Japanese, further enhancing its exceptional performance and historical significance.The exceptional valor displayed by the regiment earned it a multitude of foreign awards, including the Croix de Guerre, the Sword of Saint Stanislaus, the Order of Saint George, the Medal for Military Valour, Indian Orders of Merit, and Indian Distinguished Service Medals during the First World War. In the Second World War, the regiment garnered Five Military Crosses, two Orders of the British Empire, One Medal of the Order of the British Empire, and three Indian Distinguished Service Medals, along with two Orders of British India.
Following independence, the Regiment retained its original identity. This decision was a tribute to their significant contributions during the initial Pakistani invasion of Kashmir in 1947-1948 and their pivotal role in the battle of Hussainiwala, which prevented the Regiment from fading into obscurity altogether.
In the 1947 war, Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India during its most perilous hours, due to the unwavering courage of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces. They played a crucial role in halting the advancing enemy forces. Before the arrival of Indian troops, entire units of the State Forces were, in many instances, annihilated, fighting literally until the last man and the last round. By the end of the conflict, the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces had suffered significant losses, including 18 officers, 33 Junior Commissioned Officers, and 1232 enlisted men killed. Their valiant efforts were recognized with accolades such as 02 Maha Vir Chakras (including the first Maha Vir Chakra of Independent India posthumously awarded to its Chief of Staff, Brigadier Rajinder Singh), 19 Vir Chakras, and 52 mentions in Despatches.
Following the events of 1947, the future of the State Forces of Jammu and Kashmir became uncertain. With the war concluded, the demand for military manpower significantly diminished. This period was marked by a prevailing sense of apprehension and uncertainty among the men, raising questions about their fate. They pondered whether they would be assimilated into the Indian Army and, if so, how this integration would take place. The looming uncertainty also revolved around the possibility of merging with existing regiments or the potential retention of their distinct identity.
However, all uncertainties were laid to rest following the remarkable display of valor by the battalion during the Hussainiwala Conflict in 1956.
In the early months of 1947, the Radcliffe Commission was established to address disputes arising from the partition of Bengal and Punjab. As per the commission’s award, the Hussainiwala headworks on the Sutlej River and the area surrounding the bund and the bank on the Pakistani side were allocated to India. A specific parcel of land, measuring four hundred yards in length and thirty yards in width, known as Bela, extended along the right bank of the headworks. Although this area unequivocally belonged to India, a dispute persisted over the bund. Despite the dispute, India retained the responsibility for repairs and maintenance.In 1956, severe floods damaged a section of the right guide wall of the headworks and caused silt accumulation in the Dipalpur Canal Commission. Indian engineers initiated repairs to address the damage. However, Pakistani border troops obstructed their efforts to lift soil from the Bela for bund repair, contending that the Bela remained in dispute as long as the bund was contested. The escalating harassment prompted civil authorities to seek protection from the Army, leading to the deployment of the 4 JAK RIF in March 1956.Tasked with relieving the 7 Border Scouts at the Hussainiwala headworks, the 4 JAK faced escalating tensions with Pakistani border troops disputing the repair of the bund, resulting in a bold confrontation. The battle vividly demonstrated the fearless bravery of the Fateh Shibji Paltan, leaving a lasting impression on Major General KS Thimmaya, who was the Chief of the Army Staff at that time.
The daredevil fight given by the FATEH SHIBJI is a detailed story in itself on the valor of the men in action.The battle particularly owes to the daredevil bravery of Naik Mukhtiar Singh and L. Nk Sunder Singh.It was eventually a triumph for the Regiment.
Major General KS Thimmaya, then the Chief of the Army Staff had already seen the valiant performance of the Regiment in Kashmir in 1947.This glorious victory at Hussainiwala further impressed him with the valor of the Dogra State Forces. As a reward, in an unprecedented move,the entire Jammu and Kashmir State Force were amalgamated enbloc into the Indian Army as a separate Regiment.The oldest progeny of the JAK fraternity had done the Regiment proud. This decision, prompted by the valiant performance at Hussainiwala, preserved the unique identity of the regiment, allowing it to continue its tradition of valor and resilience.The sacrifice of FATEH SHIBJI, a unique Regiment that is truly indigenous has been sustained till today and it has been continuing its tradition of valor and beingsavior in intense crises.
At present, the JAK RIF is comprised of 22 battalion. The regimental centre is at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The Motto is Prashasta Ranvirta(“Valour in Battle is Praiseworthy”). The War Cry is Durge Mata Ki Jai.The regimental insignia (symbol) is an oval embracing the Sun, the State emblem. The Sanskrit inscription around the Sun, translates as, “Ever Victorious in War”.
The valour of the regiment is testimonial in the military saga of World War-I (1914-18). Third Afghan war (1919-20) , World war II (1939-45), Jammu and Kashmir Operations (1947), Husainiwala Operations (1956), Indo-China War (1962), Indo-Pak War (1965), Indo-Pak War (1971) and Operation Vijay (1999).
The regiment boast of many battle honours and many gallantry awards including the top most Param Vir Chakras to Captain Vikram Batra (posthumous) 13th Battalion – Kargil, 1999. And Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13th Battalion – Kargil, 1999.The legacy of the Dogras, epitomized by General Zorawar Singh’s saga and the enduring spirit of the JAK RIF, continues to inspire generations and serves as a beacon of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to duty.
(Acknowledgement: The historical information on JAK RIF has been drawn from the book ” Soldiers of the Sun and Snow – History of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Ladakh Scouts (1956-1996)”
(The author is Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Central University of Jammu)
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