Ardeshir Tarapore
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Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Tarapore PVC |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
August 18, 1923 Mumbai, Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 16 September 1965 (aged 42) Chawinda, Pakistan |
| Allegiance |
 Hyderabad State Republic of India
|
| Service/branch |
 Hyderabad Army Indian Army
|
| Years of service | 1940-1951(Hyderabad Army) 1951-1965(Indian Army) |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant Colonel
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| Unit |
Hyderabad Lancers Poona Horse (17 Horse) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
 Param Vir Chakra
|
Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, PVC (August 19, 1923 – September 16, 1965), was an officer in the Indian Army and a recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
Ardeshir belonged to the family of General Ratanjiba, who had led the army of Shivaji and was awarded 100 villages of which Tarapore was the main village, from which comes the family name. Later, Ardeshir's grandfather relocated to Hyderabad and started working in the Excise Department of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
When Ardeshir was quite young he saved his sister, Yadgar, from the family cow that had broken loose. When he was seven years old he was sent to the Sardar Dastur Boys' Boarding School in Pune. He completed his matriculation in 1940. After school he applied to the army and was selected. He did his initial training in the Officers' Training School Golconda and on completion was sent to Bangalore. He was commissioned in the 7th Hyderabad Infantry as a Second Lieutenant.
Popularly known as "Adi", Ardeshir Tarapore was unhappy joining the infantry, as he wanted to join an armored regiment. One day, his battalion was inspected by Major General El Edroos, the Commander-in-Chief of the Hyderabad state forces. At the grenade throwing range, due to an accident, a live grenade fell into the bay area. Adi was quick to pick it up and throw it. However, the grenade exploded which left him injured when flying shrapnel hit his chest. Major General Edroos was a witness to this event, and, impressed by the exemplary courage displayed, summoned Ardeshir to his office and congratulated him for his efforts. Ardeshir took the opportunity to request a transfer to an armored regiment, and the general agreed. Ardeshir was transferred to the 1st Hyderabad Imperial Service Lancers, which fought The Poona Horse, Ardeshir's later unit, in Operation Polo. He saw active service in West Asia during World War II during this part of his career.
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