FAUJI BEAT
A band that unfolds history

THE Royal Jats Pipe Band, then comprising Jats and Muslims, was raised in 1810. Some of its noted achievements during the British days are worth mentioning. The band performed at the historic “Delhi Durbar” held by Lord Curzon in 1903. It was given the privilege of playing at the time of inauguration of “The Chamber of Princes” (now Parliament House) on February 8, 1921. It also performed at the inauguration of the All-India War Memorial (now Amar Jawan Jyoti) on February 10, 1921.

The band had to be re-raised in 1948, because after Partition in 1947, the Muslim personnel of the band went to the Pakistani Army along with two Muslim companies.

After Independence, the band participated in the Republic Day Parade at New Delhi for three years from 1950 to 1952 and again in 1978. Of the several guards of honour that it played for at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, was the one given to Marshal Broz Tito, the then President of Yugoslavia in 1954. The band also played at the Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre, Ahmednagar, on the historic occasion of the presentation of 23 Colours by Mr R. Venkataraman, the then President of India on February 24, 1988.

The band won the 33 Mechanised Division’s Band Championship in 1988 and 1989. Besides, it has won many other band competitions in the formations during the past few years. It also had the honour of participating in the band display at the celebrations of the “Vijay Divas” at New Delhi in 1995.

First PVC: Though the Indian troops had begun to land at Srinagar airfield on October 27, 1947, threat to the airfield, which was the only link with their bases, continued to mount. This was because of the tribesmen being in a much larger number than our troops.

To save the airfield, the last defensible position at Badgam along the ridge, overlooking the airfield, was hurriedly occupied by a rifle company of 4 Kumaon under the command of Major Somnath Sharma. When this position was attacked by the tribesman at 2.30 p.m., Major Sharma’s wireless message said: “the enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are hopelessly outnumbered. I shall not withdraw even one inch but will fight to the last man, last round”.

Major Sharma fell fighting along with his men. The company suffered heavy casualties. But the enemy advance was stopped. By then our reinforcements had been rushed in and the tribals were forced to withdraw.

For his supreme sacrifice, Major Sharma was honoured with the country’s first highest gallantry award — the Param Vir Chakra (posthumously) — on November 3, 1948

JAIHIND

DHARMPAL