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The Kumaon Regiment
Regimental Insignia of the Kumaon Regiment
Active	1788 - Present (1945-Present with the name "The Kumaon regiment")
Country	India
Branch	Army
Type	Infantry
Size	21 Battalions including 1 battalion of the Kumaon Scouts and 2 battalions of the Naga Regiment
Regimental Centre	Ranikhet, Uttarakhand
Motto	Prakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs)
War Cry	Kalika Mata Ki Jai (Victory to the Great Goddess Kali) Bajrang Bali Ki Jai (Victory to Bajrang Bali) Dada Kishan Ki Jai (Victory to Dada Kishan) Jai Durge Naga
Decorations	2 Param Vir Chakras, 3 Ashoka Chakras, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 6 Kirti Chakras, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23 Shaurya Chakras, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medals, 2 Sena Medals and Bar, 8 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 PV, 2 PB, 1 PS, 1 AW and 36 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Battle honours	Post Independence Srinagar (Badgam), Rezangla, Gadra City, Bhaduria, Daudkandi, Sanjoi Mirpur and Shamsher Nagar
Commanders
Notable commanders	General S M Srinagesh, General K S Thimayya and General T N Raina
Insignia
Regimental Insignia	A demi-rampant lion holding a cross. The demi-rampant lion is part of the arms of the Russel family, whose ancestor had started the body of troops now formed into the Kumaon Regiment.

The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its orgins with the British Indian Army and has fought in various campaigns including the two world wars. After independence, the regiment has fought in all major conflicts involving India.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Battle of Rezang La 2 Galantry Awards 3 Current Strength 4 References

The Kumaonis had been in British military service since the early 19th Century. As part of the North Indian class, who had joined the military of the East India Company's forces, the Kumaonis had moved to other states in search of military service. Thus they formed part of the Hyderabad Contingent, which was raised, trained and led by British officers under Henry Russel, but paid by the Nizam of Hyderabad. In 1857, in keeping with the class based composition of the infantry, the Regiment comprised Rajputs, Jats and Muslims. After the Great War, some Kumaoni battalions were raised separately, but the Hyderabadis continued and fought with distinction in the World War. In 1945, the Hyderabadis became the Kumaon Regiment. When the Naga Regiment and the Kumaon Scouts were raised, they came under the aegis of the Kumaon Regiment. It has the unique distinction of producing three Army Chiefs (General S M Srinagesh (4th Kumaon), General K S Thimayya (4th Kumaon) and General T N Raina (14th Kumaon)).

Main Article: Sino-Indian War

The regiment has many heroic exploits to its credit. One of these, the last stand of Company C, 13 Kumaon Regiment at Rezang La has been placed in the ten most heroic stands in history along with the Defence of Saragarhi and Battle of Alamo. Of the 118 men at Rezang La, 109 men laid down their lives, 5 men were captured and only 4 men returned back alive.

Major Somnath Sharma, 4th Kumaon, was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), for the Regiment in October 1947. He was also the first individual, from the three Services, to receive the Param Vir Chakra - India's highest award for gallantry. Major Shaitan Singh, 13th Kumaon, was the second recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), in November 1962. The regiment has won 2 Param Vir Chakras, 3 Ashoka Chakras, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 6 Kirti Chakras, 2 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 78 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 23 Shaurya Chakras, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 127 Sena Medals, 2 Sena Medals and Bar, 8 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 PV, 2 PB, 1 PS, 1 AW and 36 Vishisht Seva Medals.

• 2nd Battalion
• 3rd Battalion
• 4th Battalion
• 5th Battalion
• 6th Battalion
• 7th Battalion
• 8th Battalion
• 9th Battalion
• 11th Battalion
• 12th Battalion
• 13th Battalion
• 15th Battalion
• 16th Battalion
• 17th Battalion (ex-31st Battalion)
• 18th Battalion
• 19th Battalion
• 20th Battalion
• 21st Battalion
• Kumaon Scouts
• 1 Naga
• 2 Naga

[1]

The Kumaon Regiment on Bharat-Rakshak