Hanut Singh Rathore | |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | |
| Born | (1933-07-06)6 July 1933 |
| Died | 10 April 2015(2015-04-10) (aged 81) |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1952–1991[3][4] |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Service number | IC-6126[1][5] |
| Unit | The Poona Horse |
| Commands |
|
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
Lieutenant GeneralHanut Singh Rathore,[6][7]PVSMMVC(6 July 1933 – 10 April 2015) was an IndianGeneral Officer. He was a recipient of India's second highest military decoration, theMaha Vir Chakra, for his role in theBattle of Basantar during theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971.[8]
Hanut Singh was born inJasol in a MahechaRathoreRajput family[9] inBalotra district[10] to Lt Col Arjun Singh, who had served in theJodhpur Lancers, and later commanded theKachhawa Horse.[11] He attended theColonel Brown Cambridge School inDehradun and joined the 1st course of the (jsw)Joint Services Wing. where he was in the Baker squadron.[3][12][13] Singh had three sisters younger than him. His eldest sister's son,Colonel Shambhoo Singh Deora,SM, also followed in his footsteps and joined the army and was part of10 Para Special Forces, and his sonMajor Ajmal Singh is now serving with15 Rajputana Rifles.Jaswant Singh the former Minister was Singh's first cousin.[14]
Upon graduating from theIndian Military Academy in December 1952, he chose to join theArmoured Corps, and was commissioned intoThe Poona Horse.[11][15]
He did not participate in theIndo-Pakistani War of 1965 as he was posted as thebrigade major of the 66th Brigade.[3][2]
Hanut is widely known for his command ofThe Poona Horse in theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971, during theBattle of Basantar. For his conduct during the battle, he was awarded theMaha Vir Chakra.
The citation for theMaha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[16][17]
Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72
Operation: 1971 Cactus LilyDate of Award: 16 Dec 1971
CITATIONLIEUTENANT COLONEL HANUT SINGH
(IC-6126), 17 HORSELieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh was commanding 17 Horse in Shakargarh Sector of the Western Front. On 16 December 1971, his regiment was inducted into the Basantar River bridgehead and took up positions ahead of the infantry. The enemy launched a number of armoured attacks in strength on 16 and 17 December. Undeterred by enemy medium artillery and tank fire, Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh moved from one threatened sector to another with utter disregard for his personal safety. His presence and cool courage inspired his men to remain steadfast and perform commendable acts of gallantry.
Second LieutenantArun Khetarpal, also from Hanut's regiment, was posthumously awarded theParam Vir Chakra for the same battle.[18]
Hanut was promoted tomajor general on 8 April 1983,[19] and tolieutenant general on 30 December 1985.[20] He subsequently commandedII Corps duringOperation Brasstacks, when India almost went to war with Pakistan.[21]
He is the only indian soldier whose bravery and valour was appreciated by Pakistan by giving him the title Fakhr-e-Hind after 1971 war.[22]
Upon retirement, he chose to live inDehradun, to spend the rest of his life reading books and meditating in Shiv Balyogi Ashram dedicating his life to meditation. He passed on 11 April 2015 during a meditation session at the Ashram.[23][21] The Indian Army announced plans for the construction of a war memorial in his memory, which will come up in Jasol.[24]
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| Param Vishisht Seva Medal | Maha Vir Chakra | Samar Seva Medal | |
| Paschimi Star | Raksha Medal | Sangram Medal | Sainya Seva Medal |
| 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal | 30 Years Long Service Medal | 20 Years Long Service Medal | 9 Years Long Service Medal |
Lt Gen Hanut Singh was popular with his rajput style moustache. His famous quote in battlefield was "There's no armed commander in the army who can visualize a battlefield beyond the regimental level". A famous quote was made by Lt. Gen. Hanut Singh when he was passed over for the position of Army Chief, is, "If they don't want me, the loss is theirs".[25]
In theParam Vir Chakra TV series his character was played in the episode of 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal, PVC. In the movieIkkis, actorRahul Dev has portrayed his character.[26]