Histrorical Overview

In 1902, when Lord Kitchner took over as Commander-in-Chief of the Army it was
further reorganised as a reguar force! "y 191#, at the time of the out$reak of the %irst
&ord &ar, the strength of the Indian Army had reached a''ro(imatey 1)0,000! "y the
time the *econd &ord &ar started in 19+9, the strength of the Indian Army had risen to
1,9,000! In 19#-, with the 'artition of the country, two-thirds of the strength remained
with India and one-third went away to .akistan! /n the eve of our inde'endence the
strength of the undivided Army was neary two and a haf miion!
Indian sodiers served a over the word during the "ritish regime! 0hey fought from
China in the 1ast to %rance and Africa in the &est! 0hey fought $ravey during 191#-1,
and 19+9-#2, during the %irst and *econd &ord &ars! 0he taes of their vaour s'read
from China in the 1ast to Ira2, Africa, Itay and %rance in the &est! 0he secret of success
of the Indian Army has $een its unfinching sense of duty, disci'ine and traditions of
vaour!
/n 1)th 3anuary 19#, Lieutenant 4enera K! 5! Caria''a $ecame the first Indian
Commander- in- Chief 6C-I7-C8! 1)th 3anuary is now cee$rated every year as Army
9ay! /n this occasion the Chief of the Army *taff 6C/A*8 takes the saute at the Army
9ay .arade in the 9ehi cantonment! 0his is a grand 'arade hed :ust $efore the ;e'u$ic
9ay .arade!
0he ruers of some 'rincey states were reuctant to :oin the new Indian dominion and
many had to coa(ed $y threat of force! 0he Army was yet to reorganise its 'artition when
the ca of duty came from 3unagadh and <ydera$ad! 0he Indian Army $ravey and
without $oodshed consoidated out 'osition in these states, which then $ecame 'arts of
Indian dominion!
0he war raged in 3ammu = Kashmir from /cto$er 19#- to 3anuary 19#9! It ended in a
'roud victory for our Army and .akistan faied to ca'ture 3ammu or *rinager! <owever a
'remature cease-fire was acce'ted $y our 4overnment which ena$ed .akistan to hod
arge 'arts of 3ammu = Kashmir state! 0hese areas under .akistan>s occu'ation are caed
.ak-occu'ied Kashmir 6.oK8 and 7orthern Areas!
%rom 19#, to 19?2 Indian Army contingents did a num$er of 'eacekee'ing assignments
outside the country, in Korea, 4a@a 61gy't8 and Congo 6Centra Africa8 on $ehaf of
Anited 7ations and earned great honour for the country!
In 19?2 when China attacked India the Indian Army was rushed to fight them on the icy
heights of the <imaayas for which they were i-e2ui''ed and i-'re'ared! A sort of
>code of honour> has come down to us from our great commanders and sodiers of the 'ast
eras! It is a matter of great 'ride that whenever India has $een attacked the Indian Army
stood $y this code of vaour, fideity and honour! 0he tradition never to surrender has
remained ingrained in our fighting men and our Army has resoute sodiers who are ever
ready to do their duty unto death without hesitation!
0he main characteristics of Indian sodiers areB
Valour! %earessness in com$at, in the face of the enemy even when fighting at a
great
disadvantage or facing sure death!
Spirit of selfless sacrifice. 0he tradition never to 2uestion $ut to do or die!
Fairness and honesty. 1ven towards the enemy, 'risoners or wounded!
Discipline and integrity. .atriotism, honesty and courage under a circumstances!
Dogged determination. 1ven in defeat or adverse situations!
Non-discrimination. /n account of caste, creed or reigion! 0ota im'artiaity in
'erformance
of duty!
Comradeship and brotherhood of the brave. &ithin the armed forces regardess of
caste,
creed or reigion!
Fidelity, honour and courage. *tand out as an e(am'e to others