Rajputana Rifles Revives Old Tradition
An Army battalion got back its deity after 70 long years when 17 Rajputana Rifles or the former Sawai Man Battalion conducted a “hawan” at the Shila Mata temple at the Amber Fort near here on Saturday.
Members of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur, the Commandant and officers of the battalion, Junior Commissioned Officers, ex-Servicemen and many other distinguished guests including former Chief Secretary of Rajasthan S. Ahmad were in attendance to witness the restoration of an old tradition.
On this auspicious occasion, the colours of the former Jaipur State and of the battalion were brought in a parade by a military guard. The head priest of the historic Shila Mata temple at the fort blessed the flags carrying out the traditional rites and rituals.
The serving officers as well as veterans of the infantry battalion, which is fondly referred to as “Sawai Man Guards” after the army of the former rulers of Jaipur, felt proud to be part of an ancient legacy inherited from the erstwhile kingdom.
The atmosphere reverberated with mantras and salutation of the unit in support of the gallant past and prodigious bonding of the veterans and valiant serving soldiers.
The event was a visual treat for tourists and citizens of Jaipur alike.
1-Raised in its current Form in 1921,the Rajputana Rifles is the senior-most rifle regiment of the Indian Army.
2-Before 1945,it was known as the 6th Rajputana Rifles because it was formed by merging six previously existing British Indian Army regiments.
3-The Rajputana Rifles has been primarily been involved in conflicts against Pakistan.
4-It was also a part of the UN custodian Force in Korea in 1953–54 and UN’s Congo Mission in 1962.
5-The regiment was actually raised in 1775,when the East India Company realised the Valour of Rajput Warriors and recruited them to protect its operations.
6–2 Rajputana Rifles was the first of seven Indian Army units to receive an official Citation for their bravery during the Kargil War in 1999.
7- Its motto is “Veer Bhogya Vasundhara” which means “The brave shall inherit the Earth”.
8-The battle cry of Rajputana Rifles is “Raja Ramchandra Ki Jai”.
9- Other than Rajputs,Rajputana Rifles has a high concentration of Jats,Ahirs,Gujjars and Muslims.
10- About 30,000 soldiera of Rajputana Rifles died in the First and Second World War.
11- Their Insignia is composed of a medival Rajput Weapon,Katar and a bugle.
12-The Rajputana Museum in Delhi showcases the rich history of this Unit.
13-The Rajputana Rifles also have the distinction of being a recipient of Six Victoria Crosses earned in pre-independence era.
14-Members of the Rajputana Rifles often sport this unique Moustache.