An army of any country is naturally the pride of any nation. Indians also take a lot of pride in their second largest army in the world. The Indian army has approximately 13,95,100 personnel (as per world atlas as on 2018). It is the part of Indian armed forces that comprises of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air force. The army protects the Indian territory on land and ensures that the civilians are able to lead a normal day to day life, knowing that an army of soldiers is always there to back them up. Our army also has the largest military force in the world. One of the things that will make you proud of the army is that it is that it has never initiated the first attack, or engaged in a military coup.
The celebrate the strength of Indian army, a national army day is celebrated on 15th January every year. This trend started in 1949, when Lieutenant General K.M. Cariappa took over as the first commander in chief of Indian army.
The President of India heads all the military forces and army is commanded by the Chief of army staff. Here is the hierarchy of Indian army:
- Chief of army staff (CoAS), General
- Lieutenant General - heads 3 to 4 divisions
- Major General - heads 3 to 4 brigades
- Brigadier - heads 3 battalions and support elements
- Colonel
- Lieutenant Colonel/Major
- JCO
- Havildar
The Indian army operates in seven commands namely, Northern Command, Southern Command, Eastern Command, Western Command, South - Western Command, Central Command and Training Command. Each of these is under the command of a Lieutenant General.
Some other facts that you should know about your army:
1. Indian army was formed in 1776 by East India Company.
2. Operation Rahat was carried out by the Indian army when the biggest floods and calamity struck Uttrakhand. It was the biggest civilian rescue operation carried out in the world.
3. Our High Altitude Warfare School is considered to be one of the most premier training schools in high altitude mountain warfare. It is also visited by special op’s from UK, USA, and Russia.
4. In the army all selections are based on merit and fitness and not on the basis of religion, caste or creed.
5. AGNI and Prithvi are two of India’s most accurate missile systems.
6. The biggest construction agency in India is the Military Engineering Services.
7. Bailey Bridge, in Ladakh the world’s highest bridge has been built by the Indian army.
8. The only war that the Indian army has lost was in 1962 against China.
9. There are 9 army bases and 53 cantonments of Indian army.
10. The Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world i.e. 5000 meters above sea level is controlled by the Indian army.
11. Our Indian soldiers are considered best in mountain and high altitude warfare in the world.
12. In battle of Longewala, the war between India and Pakistan in 1971, only 2 casualties were there from India’s side. Indian army won the war and 93,000 Pakistani soldiers had surrendered.
13. The President’s Bodyguard established in 1773 is the old army regiment. These soldiers are trained paratroopers.
14. The army has been the biggest contributor to the UN peacekeeping forces.
15. Our army has horse cavalry regiment, which is the amongst the 3 cavalry regiments in the world.
Indian Army indeed makes all Indians extremely proud of their selfless sacrifice and service for the nation. Our army has always led from the front to protect the nation and its citizens. We should be proud of our army!
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