The Assam Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army.[3] The regiment consists of 25 battalions: 15 regular battalions, 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalions, 5 Territorial Army battalions (including 2 ecological battalions) and 2 Arunachal Scouts battalions. It recruits exclusively from all the eight Northeastern states of India.
History
Raising
The regiment was raised on 15 June 1941 in Shillong by Major (later Brigadier) Ross Cosens Howman OBE to meet the claim of the then undivided state of Assam for its own fighting unit and to counter the threat of the Japanese invasion of India.[4] The area of Elephant Falls in Shillong was chosen to raise the first battalion and it was there, under British instructors, that the first troops were trained. The initial draft of the regiment was drawn from undivided Assam, and consisted of the doughty Ahoms of Assam who had proved their martial prowess by defeating the Mughals at the Battle of Saraighat. The Assam Rifles provided a trained nucleus of 500 JCOs, NCOs and men to raise the newly formed regiment.[5] The hardy, tough and cheerful Misings, Boros, Nagas, Kukis, Khasis, Karbi, Garos, Meiteis, Kalitas and later on, the Adis, Nishis, Monpas, other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India domiciled Gorkhas and Sikkimese and other tribes were also drafted into the regiment and, today, the regiment can boast of being composed of troops of diverse customs, cultures, languages, traditions and ethos belonging to all the eight Northeastern states of India.[6] Two battalions currently also have Dogras, Garhwalis, Gorkhas and South Indian classes.[7]
Men who helped to raise the Assam Regiment in 1941. Left to right: Mr. RGR Cumming, Inspector General of Police Assam, Brigadier Ross Howman, and Lieutenant Colonel William Felix “Bruno” Brown.
Within six months of its raising, the regiment was ordered to move to Digboi to defend the oil fields. In early 1942, it moved to Ledo and was involved in reconnoitering the alignment for the famous Stilwell Road. In 1944, when the invasion of India by Japan was imminent, the regiment was moved to Jessami and Kharasom to delay the advance of the Japanese 31st Division. The young regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Felix “Bruno” Brown soon proved its capabilities within three years of its raising, at the consecutive battles of Jessami, the epic defence of Kohima and the capture of Aradura, all of which were awarded as battle honours (now known as pre-independence battle honours) to the regiment. The regiment earned high praise for its combat skills in World War II. In its first operation, the regiment won 71 gallantry awards. In addition, the regiment won six battle honours including Jessami, Kohima, Aradura, Toungoo, Kyaukmyaung bridge-head and Mawlaik. It was also awarded the theatre honour Burma: 1942–45. Seldom has a regiment won so many gallantry awards, battle honours and theatre awards in a single campaign.[8][9][10]
2 and 5 ASSAM were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir during the war. 3 and 4 ASSAM were in Punjab in the western front, while 6 ASSAM, the Assam Regimental Centre and 119 TA were in the eastern sector. Troops from the regiment took part in the battles of Chhamb, Fazilka and Uri in the west and Balurghat / Hilli and Dawki sectors in the east. 5 ASSAM lost 5 officers and 19 other ranks during the war. The unit was awarded the battle honour of Chhamb.[11] 3 ASSAM lost 4 officers, 3 JCOs and 31 other ranks during the battle at Fazilka.[12]
Since 1984, many units of the regiment have been deployed in the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world. They include 5 (1984), 2 (1985), 3 (1986), 14 (1992-4), 15 (1997-8), 4 (1999-2000), 14 (2003-5) and 1 ASSAM (2012-14).[11]
Operation Falcon
7, 10 and 12 ASSAM were instrumental in withdrawal of the Chinese troops during the Sumdorong Chu standoff in 1986.[11]
Operation Avert
3 and 14 ASSAM helped the Punjab Police with the border sealing operations in 1987-88 to control the infiltration of terrorists from across the border.[11]
The following units were deployed during the Kargil War. 1 ASSAM was deployed in the Machhal sector between 2000-1, 9 ASSAM was at Kupwara between 2000-2, 9 ASSAM was at Tangdhar from 1998-2000, 15 ASSAM at Gandharbal and Uri between 1998-9. 35 Rashtriya Rifles was in Badgam sector, 42 Rashtriya Rifles was at Chowkibal-Treghgam and then in Tral sectors. 119 TA was deployed for road opening duties and for protection of 15 Corps headquarters.[11]
3, 4, 6 and 7 ASSAM were deployed in the western sector as part of the mobilisation of troops following the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001.[11]
The regiment has taken part in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and in the North East.[11][12]
6 ASSAM taking charge of ceremonial duties at Rashtrapati Bhavan, July 2006
Others
6 ASSAM has performed ceremonial duties at Rashtrapati Bhavan and was selected for its outstanding work in counter terrorist operations. 14 ASSAM won the Division and Command Football Championships and had fielded four players for the Army Reds & Greens. It had also won the first position in the Division Cambrian Patrol Championship 2009–2010. 10 ASSAM won the division firing and sniper competition for the year 2011–2012. The contingent of the Assam Regiment was judged "Best Marching Contingent" thrice in the Republic Day celebrations held at Delhi in 1995, 2004 and 2016.[13] The team of the Assam Regimental Centre won the 'Army Young Blood Firing Championship' in 2005 and stood second in 2006.[14]
12 ASSAM conducted outstanding Counter-insurgency Operations in Arunachal Pradesh, from Mar 2012-Jun 2015, arresting 48 militants, killing 4, seizing 37 weapons and taking 7 surrenders. The battalion also had an outstanding performance in sports and won the 'Best in Sports' trophy in 2015.
In 2019, the 8 ASSAM participated in Yudh Abhyas 2019, representing India, along the US Army.[15] 9 ASSAM was part of the exercise in 2022.[16]
In 2020, 12 ASSAM was deployed in the Chinese border and 17 ASSAM was deployed in Ladakh as a part of additional forces.
Heraldry
The regiment's insignia is the one-horned rhino over a scroll underneath depicting the words 'Assam Regt'.[17][18] The insignia is worn on the berets and belts that the soldiers (the self-named "Rhinos") wear. In India, rhinos are found in the state of Assam which is also known for its tea gardens and oil refineries.
The regimental colours are black and gold (the colours of undivided Assam) and scarlet (the colour of the infantry). Rank badges are coloured silver and black.[17]
The regimental salutation of tagra raho (stay strong/fit) is unique in the Indian Army. This unique greeting adopted by the regiment was introduced by Major General S.C. Barbora, who commanded 2 Assam Regiment in 1960s. Originally commissioned in 1 Assam Regiment, the Commanding Officer used to enquire about the morale of the Rhinos' (soldiers) by asking them "Tagra Hai ?" ("are you strong/fit?") Invariably, the answer used to be "Tagra Hai Saheb" ("I am strong/fit, sir"). This greeting became popular in a very short time.[19][20]
The motto of the regiment is Asam Vikram, which means 'unique valour'. The war cry of the regiment is 'Rhino charge'.[21] The regimental song is Badluram Ka Badan.[22]
The regimental language at the time of its formation was Roman Urdu.[8] The present language is Hindi. When spoken in the regiment, it is a quaint and unique mixture of Hindi generously sprinkled with words from all the northeastern languages and sounds cryptic to the uninitiated.
Uniform
The regiment wears a hat, called the Rhino Hat, with the right side lowered, a Rhino with a black diamond-shaped flash on the left (Rhino facing front) and black strap under the chin. The shoulder title has the words "ASSAM".[23] A ceremonial 'Dah' is also carried with the belt on ceremonial occasions.[17]
106 Air Force Squadron - The Assam Regiment and Arunachal Scouts of Indian Army were affiliated with the 106 Air Force Squadron at Tezpur on 15 February 2021.[24]
Military Cross - 8, Major AI Calistan, Major Sidhiman Rai, Lieutenant JN Corlett, Lieutenant P Steyn, Major DE Lloyd Jones, Subedar Sarbeswar Rajbongshi, Subedar Khagendra Nath Gogoi, Jemadar Tonghem Kuki
The regimental centre is located at Happy Valley in Shillong. The first commanding officer was Major Bola Singh Lama and the first Subedar Major of the centre was Subedar Major Kaliprasad Khatri.[6] The centre, which is known as the "Cradle of Northeastern Martial Prowess" became the first regimental centre to be awarded the GOC-in-C, Unit Citation in 2011.[31]
Regimental battalions
An Assam Regiment soldier on guard at India Gate, New Delhi.Personnel from Assam Regiment during Yudh Abhyas exercise in 2019
Raised by Lieutenant Colonel IN Macleod on 15 April 1942, re-raised on 1 October 1963 at Shillong under Major MS Behl. Lieutenant Colonel SC Barbosa was the first commanding officer.
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