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Punjab Regiment Battalion Celebrates Tricentenary
NEWS REPORT
The 16th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army celebrated its 300th Raising Day at Tibri Cantonment near Gurdaspur in Punjab on Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
A large number of retired and serving officers and other ranks of the battalion travelled from all over the country to participate in the memorable event. The retired officers were glad to meet their former friends at the gala reunion of the regiment.
"When Pakistan wanted to capture Kashmir (in 1947), our battalion (16th Btn) did an exemplary job. In that battle, our battalion won the highest number of gallantry awards as compared to the other regiments. They won eight Mahavir Chakras and 25 Vir Chakras, both gallantry awards," said Major General (retired) S. P.S. Sidhu of the Punjab Regiment.
To mark the occasion a number of events, including an exhibition, were organised.
The 16th Battalion represents the legacy of honour, courage and devotion to duty, which are the hallmarks of Sikh and Punjabi soldiers from immemorial .
"All the serving and former officers of the battalion have come to participate in the tricentenary celebrations. An exhibition has been staged to showcase the arms and ammunition used by the battalion during 300 years and its glorious legacy. The display of guns, machine, arms and ammunition has been inspirational," noted Rachna Kehra, a visitor.
The 16th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment was raised as a part of the Sikh Kingdom of Patiala Forces on March 31, 1710 by Baba Ala Singh, regarded as the founder of the Patiala Kingdom.
April 1, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: Sukhindarpal SIngh (Penang, Malaysia), April 01, 2010, 11:20 AM.
If I am not mistaken, the accompanying picture is that of a contingent of soldiers from a battalion of the SIKH REGIMENT. [EDITOR: It is possible. The information we were given may be in error.]
2: N. Singh (Canada), April 01, 2010, 7:44 PM.
We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices ... (including their gallant reaction to disobey orders to kill civilians in 1984)... made by the SIKH Regiment and Sikh Light Infantry! May Waheguru bless them all and watch over them! We will NEVER forget!
3: Gurjendra Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), April 01, 2010, 10:12 PM.
I lived in Meerut Cantt, U.P., India for a long time. Before 1984, this town was headquarters of the Sikh Regiment, Punjab regiment and Sikh Light Infantry. I have seen their dedication for the country as well for Sikh religion. I still remember their unshorn beards in net and smart turbans in the gurdwara. May God bless all their sacrifices.
4: Harinder (Bangalore, India), April 02, 2010, 10:14 AM.
This is the SIKH Regiment. The Punjab Regiment has a mix of Sikhs and some other groups, as is evident in the stamp below.
5: Gurjender singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), April 02, 2010, 5:14 PM.
Harinder ji, the Sikh Regiment used to have only Sikhs before 1984 but not now. It allows Sikhs and non-Sikhs as well. Whereas Punjab and Sikh Light Infantry Regiments have been a mix of different groups, at least for some time.
6: Karimul Fateh (India), April 05, 2010, 2:06 AM.
Gurjender Singh ji: The idea of Vaidya's Battalion has been scrapped according to which non-Sikh members could enter into the Sikh Regiment. Now all the Indian Army regiments have returned back to their original format and structure.
7: Mandeep Singh Bajwa (Chandigarh, Punjab), April 08, 2010, 8:21 AM.
The Sikh Regiment only recruits Sikhs.
8: Gursharan Singh Toor (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.), May 03, 2010, 5:36 AM.
I am an ex-soldier of the Sikh Regiment. I have no doubt in my mind that this picture is of soldiers from the Sikh Regiment, and not the Punjab Regiment.