Kumaon Regiment
| The Kumaon Regiment | |
|---|---|
Regimental Insignia of the Kumaon Regiment
|
|
| Active | 1813-Present |
| Country |
 India
|
| Branch | Indian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 19 Battalions including 1 battalion of the Kumaon Scouts |
| Regimental Centre | Ranikhet, Uttarakhand |
| Motto(s) | Parakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs) |
| War Cry |
Kalika Mata Ki Jai (Victory to the Great Goddess Kali) |
| Decorations | 2 Param Vir Chakras, 4 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 | |
| Current commander |
Lt. Gen. Bobby Mathews |
| Notable commanders |
General S. M. Shrinagesh General K S Thimayya General Tapishwar Narain 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. |
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)
Post Independence
The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated infantry regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars. Kumaon gets its recruits from Kumaonis of Kumaon division and Ahirs from the plains.
Soldiering has been an important profession of the Kumaonis and the region has a long history of warfare with neighbours, including the Garhwalis and the Gorkhas. The Kumaonis were never fully subjugated by the powerful Muslim dynasties of Delhi. They often offered their martial services as mercenaries, and fought on both the British as well as Gurkha sides in the Anglo-Nepalese War.
The Kumaonis were in the military of the East India Company from the early 19th century. They often moved to other states in search of military service, including in the service of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
The Nizam's Contingent was formed when Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, brother of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, became Governor-General of India and formed a plan to rid India of French influence. His first action, on arriving in India in 1798, was to effect the disbandment of the Indian units of the Nizam under the command of Monsieur Raymond and officered by non-British Europeans. These soldiers were formed into the British officered Nizam's Contingent that fought at the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799 against Tippu Sultan in the final battle of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
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Wikipedia