Assam Regiment
| The Assam Regiment | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 15 June 1941 - Present |
| Country |
 India
|
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Line infantry |
| Role | Light role |
| Size | 22 battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Happy Valley, Shillong, Meghalaya |
| Nickname(s) | Assam Regiment |
| Motto(s) | Asam Vikram (Unique Valour) |
| War Cry | Rhino Charge |
| March | Badlu Ram Ka Badan |
| Mascot(s) | Uni-horned rhinoceros of Assam |
| Engagements |
1945 (Burma Front) 1971 (Chaamb Sector) |
| Decorations | 1 Ashoka Chakra, 2 Maha Vir Chakra, 3 Kirti Chakra, 5 Vir Chakras, 14 Shaurya Chakras, 2 Padma Shris, 5 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 Yudh Seva Medal, 51Sena Medals and 8 Vishisht Seva Medals |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Brig 'Papa' Pandey Padmabhushan, Brig. Thenphunga Sailo |
| Insignia | |
| Colours | Black and red (golden stripe added to the flag on the occasion of golden Jubilee) |
1945 (Burma Front)
The Assam Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment consists of 22 battalions: 15 regular battalions, 3 Rashtriya Rifles battalions, 3 Territorial Army infantry battalions and 1 battalion of Arunachal Scouts. It recruits exclusively from all the Seven Sister States of northeast India.
The Regimental Center is situated at Happy Valley, Shillong, Meghalaya. The regiment's emblem is the rhino, which is worn on the berets and belts that the soldiers (the self-named "Rhinos") wear. Rhinos in India are commonly found in the state of Assam. The regimental salutation of "tagra raho" ("stay strong/fit") is unique in the Indian Army. This unique greeting was introduced by the regiment's commanding officer during the 1960s, the late Maj. Gen. S.C. Barbora. He used to inquire about the morale of his soldiers by asking them "tagra ho?" ("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 period of time.
The initial draft of the regiment was drawn from Undivided Assam, consisting of the doughty Ahoms who had proved their martial prowess by defeating the Mughals at the Battle of Saraighat and the hardy, tough and cheerful Nagas, Mizos, Kukis, Garos, Meiteis and other tribals. Later, the Adis, Nishis, Monpas, other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, domiciled Gorkhas and Sikkimese 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 the seven states of the northeast and Sikkim.
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Wikipedia