Source: twitter.com (Indian Army)

Indian army is greatly respected and adored for their courage and sense of duty for the entire nation. People praise their accomplishments and stellar contributions for the country, and every year on 15 January, the Army Day is also celebrated to honour the Indian soldiers for their courage and sacrifice. It is similarly observed because Field Marshal KM Cariappa took command of the Indian Army from General Francis Butcher on 15 January 1949. This year, the Indian army is celebrating the 73rd Army Day. And this auspicious event is also part of the Republic Day parade and it is organised at Parade Ground, Delhi every year.

Source: twitter.com (Indian Army)

Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, and the Army Day is also celebrated in his honour. Cariappa supervised the Indian forces on the western front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949. Cariappa is also one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the Five-Star rank of Field Marshal, the other person being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. The military career of KM Cariappa spanned for almost 3 decades. He was born on 28 January 1898, in Madikeri, Kodagu, Karnataka. KM Cariappa joined the British Indian Army shortly after the end of World War I, and he was assigned as a temporary first lieutenant into the 2/88 Carnatic Infantry. Cariappa was the first Indian military officer to attend the Staff College, Quetta, the first Indian to command a battalion and was similarly one of the first two Indians selected to undergo training at the Imperial Defence College in Camberley. And when KM Cariappa took the command of the Indian Army from General Francis Butcher, this day was honourably observed as the Army Day in India.


Every year, the grand celebration on the occasion of Army Day comes up to celebrate the glory of India's military actions. Bravery awards such as unit credentials and Sena Medals are distributed to deserving personnel on this day. The major event is organised at Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment. This ground of Delhi Cantonment Parade was named after KM Cariappa in 2016. The parade displays indigenous weaponry such as the Dhanush towed guns. It similarly has about 18 contingents who display multiple combat skills. And practice for multiple events has also been performed by the army for the 73rd Army Day. This auspicious day is marked by a showcase of the strength of the Indian Army. Overall, the Indian Army has attained numerous achievements. There are many incredible facts about the Indian army which are still less known by people. Yet here are a few facts that will additionally boost your affection towards our Indian army.

1. India has the largest voluntary army in the world. All serving and reserve personnel have opted for the services voluntarily in the Indian army. Even if there is the provision of conscription or forced recruitment in the Constitution of India, this provision has never been used.

2. The Indian army holds the World Record for accepting the largest military surrender. Around 93,000 Pakistani soldiers have surrendered to the Indian Army in the year 1971.

3. The oldest armoured regiment of the Indian army is President's Bodyguard. It was formed in 1773, and it is currently based in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

4. The Indian Army has built the highest bridge in Asia, and it is known as the Bailey Bridge. It is located in the Ladakh Valley, between Dras and Suru rivers, in the Himalayas.

5. Amongst the last 3 Horse Regiments in the world, the Indian Army holds one Horse Regiment in the Armoured Corps named the Poona Horse Regiment.

6. Indian soldiers are considered among the very best in high altitude and mountain warfare. The Indian Army controls the highest battlefield in the world, the Siachin Glacier, at 5000 metres above sea level.

7. The Indian army's High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) is one of the most elite military training centres in the world, and it is frequently visited by the teams from the US, UK and Russia. The US Special Forces have also trained at HAWS before their deployment during the strike of Afghanistan.

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Reference:

  • www.wikipedia.org
  • www.indianexpress.com
  • www.jagranjosh.com

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