TheAssam Regiment is an infantry regiment of theIndian Army.[3] The regiment consists of 25 battalions: 15 regular battalions, 3Rashtriya Rifles battalions, 5Territorial Army battalions (including 2 ecological battalions) and 2Arunachal Scouts battalions. It recruits exclusively from all the eight Northeastern states of India.
The regiment was raised on 15 June 1941 inShillong by Major (later Brigadier) Ross Cosens HowmanOBE to meet the claim of the thenundivided state of Assam for its own fighting unit and to counter the threat of theJapanese invasion of India.[4] The area of Elephant Falls in Shillong was chosen to raise the first battalion and it was there, underBritish instructors, that the first troops were trained. The initial draft of the regiment was drawn from undivided Assam, and consisted of the doughtyAhoms of Assam who had proved their martial prowess by defeating theMughals at theBattle of Saraighat. TheAssam Rifles provided a trained nucleus of 500 JCOs, NCOs and men to raise the newly formed regiment.[5] The hardy, tough and cheerfulMisings, Boros, Nagas,Kukis,Khasis,Karbi,Garos,Meiteis and later on, theAdis,Nishis,Monpas, other tribes ofArunachal Pradesh, northeast India domiciledGorkhas andSikkimese and other tribes 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 all the eight Northeastern states of India.[6] Two battalions currently also haveDogras,Garhwalis,Gorkhas andSouth Indian classes.[7]
Within six months of its raising, the regiment was ordered to move toDigboi to defend the oil fields. In early 1942, it moved toLedo and was involved in reconnoitering the alignment for the famousStilwell Road. In 1944, when the invasion of India by Japan was imminent, the regiment was moved toJessami andKharasom to delay the advance of the Japanese31st Division. The young regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Felix “Bruno” Brown soon proved its capabilities within three years of its raising, at the consecutive battles ofJessami, the epicdefence of Kohima and the capture ofAradura, all of which were awarded as battle honours (now known as pre-independence battle honours) to the regiment. The regiment earned high praise for its combat skills inWorld War II. In its first operation, the regiment won 71 gallantry awards. In addition, the regiment won six battle honours including Jessami, Kohima, Aradura,Toungoo,Kyaukmyaung bridge-head andMawlaik. It was also awarded the theatre honour Burma: 1942–45. Seldom has a regiment won so many gallantry awards, battle honours and theatre awards in a single campaign.[8][9][10]
3 ASSAM participated in the operations in the first war after independence.[11]
4 ASSAM was deployed during the war against China.[11]
2 and 5 ASSAM were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir during the war. 3 and 4 ASSAM were in Punjab in the western front, while 6 ASSAM, the Assam Regimental Centre and 119 TA were in the eastern sector. Troops from the regiment took part in the battles ofChhamb,Fazilka andUri in the west andBalurghat /Hilli andDawki sectors in the east. 5 ASSAM lost 5 officers and 19 other ranks during the war. The unit was awarded the battle honour of Chhamb.[11] 3 ASSAM lost 4 officers, 3 JCOs and 31 other ranks during the battle at Fazilka.[12]
1, 6, 8 and 10 ASSAM were involved in the operations to neutralise the terrorists in theGolden Temple at Amritsar.[11]
Since 1984, many units of the regiment have been deployed in theSiachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world. They include 5 (1984), 2 (1985), 3 (1986), 14 (1992-4), 15 (1997-8), 4 (1999-2000), 14 (2003-5) , 1 (2012-14) and 12 ASSAM (2018-19).[11]
7, 10 and 12 ASSAM were instrumental in withdrawal of the Chinese troops during theSumdorong Chu standoff in 1986.[11]
3 and 14 ASSAM helped the Punjab Police with the border sealing operations in 1987-88 to control the infiltration of terrorists from across the border.[11]
Two battalions (4 ASSAM) were part of theIndian Peace Keeping Forces inSri Lanka in 1988.[11]
The following units were deployed during the Kargil War. 1 ASSAM was deployed in the Machhal sector between 2000-1, 9 ASSAM was atKupwara between 2000-2, 9 ASSAM was atTangdhar from 1998-2000, 15 ASSAM atGandharbal and Uri between 1998-9. 35 Rashtriya Rifles was inBadgam sector, 42 Rashtriya Rifles was at Chowkibal-Treghgam and then inTral sectors. 119 TA was deployed for road opening duties and for protection of15 Corps headquarters.[11]
3, 4, 6 and 7 ASSAM were deployed in the western sector as part of the mobilisation of troops following theattack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001.[11]
The regiment has taken part in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and in the North East.[11][12]
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6 ASSAM has performed ceremonial duties atRashtrapati Bhavan and was selected for its outstanding work in counter terrorist operations. 14 ASSAM won the Division and Command Football Championships and had fielded four players for the Army Reds & Greens. It had also won the first position in the Division Cambrian Patrol Championship 2009–2010. 10 ASSAM won the division firing and sniper competition for the year 2011–2012. The contingent of the Assam Regiment was judged "Best Marching Contingent" thrice in the Republic Day celebrations held at Delhi in 1995, 2004 and 2016.[13] The team of the Assam Regimental Centre won the 'Army Young Blood Firing Championship' in 2005 and stood second in 2006.[14]
12 ASSAM conducted outstandingCounter-insurgency Operations in Arunachal Pradesh, from Mar 2012-Jun 2015, arresting 48 militants, killing 4, seizing 37 weapons and taking 7 surrenders. The battalion also had an outstanding performance in sports and won the 'Best in Sports' trophy in 2015.
In 2019, the 8 ASSAM participated inYudh Abhyas 2019, representing India, along theUS Army.[15] 9 ASSAM was part of the exercise in 2022.[16]
In 2020, 12 ASSAM was deployed in theChinese border and 17 ASSAM was deployed in Ladakh as a part of additional forces.
Theregiment's insignia is theone-horned rhino over a scroll underneath depicting the words 'Assam Regt'.[17][18] The insignia is worn on the berets and belts that the soldiers (the self-named "Rhinos") wear. In India, rhinos are found in the state of Assam which is also known for its tea gardens and oil refineries.
Theregimental colours are black and gold (the colours of undivided Assam) and scarlet (the colour of the infantry). Rank badges are coloured silver and black.[17]
Theregimental salutation oftagra raho (stay strong/fit) is unique in the Indian Army. This unique greeting adopted by the regiment was introduced by Major General S.C. Barbora, who commanded 2 Assam Regiment in 1960s. Originally commissioned in 1 Assam Regiment, the Commanding Officer used to enquire about the morale of the Rhinos' (soldiers) by asking them "Tagra Hai ?" ("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 time.[19][20]
Themotto of the regiment isAsam Vikram, which means 'unique valour'. Thewar cry of the regiment is 'Rhino charge'.[21] Theregimental song isBadluram Ka Badan.[22]
Theregimental language at the time of its formation wasRoman Urdu.[8] The present language isHindi. When spoken in the regiment, it is a quaint and unique mixture of Hindi generously sprinkled with words from all thenortheastern languages and sounds cryptic to the uninitiated.
The regiment wears a hat, called the Rhino Hat, with the right side lowered, a Rhino with a black diamond-shaped flash on the left (Rhino facing front) and black strap under the chin. The shoulder title has the words "ASSAM".[23] A ceremonial 'Dah' is also carried with the belt on ceremonial occasions.[17]
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The following units of the Assam Regiment have won the following honours[25]
The regiment has been awarded the following gallantry awards -
The regimental centre is located at Happy Valley in Shillong. The first commanding officer was Major Bola Singh Lama and the first Subedar Major of the centre was Subedar Major Kaliprasad Khatri.[6] The centre, which is known as the "Cradle of Northeastern Martial Prowess" became the first regimental centre to be awarded the GOC-in-C, Unit Citation in 2011.[31]
 |
| Battalion | Raising Date | Nickname | Remarks | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Battalion | 15 June 1941 | Always First | Raised at Shillong by Major RC Howman | [12][27] |
| 2nd Battalion | 1 October 1963 | Second to None | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel IN Macleod on 15 April 1942, re-raised on 1 October 1963 at Shillong under Major MS Behl. Lieutenant Colonel SC Barbosa was the first commanding officer. | [12][32] |
| 3rd Battalion | 1 November 1945 | Phantom Third | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel FRS Cosens | [12][32] |
| 4th Battalion | 1 October 1960 | Formidable Fourth | Raised by Lieutenant ColonelT Sailo at Shillong | [12] |
| 5th Battalion | 1 November 1963 | Fighting Fifth, Chhamb Battalion | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel SS Chowdhary at Shillong | [12][33] |
| 6th Battalion | 1 April 1964 | Sabre Sixth | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel Balwan Singh at Shillong | [12][21] |
| 7th Battalion | 1 January 1976 | Striking Seventh, MVC Paltan | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel P Shivpuri atTamulpur | [12] |
| 8th Battalion | 1 March 1978 | Head Hunters, Tigers of Lolab | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel YP Singh atRangapahar | [12] |
| 9th Battalion | 1 August 1980 | Nimble Ninth | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel JR Mukherjee at Shillong | |
| 10th Battalion | 1 January 1981 | Thundering Tenth | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel MS Jamwal at Shillong | |
| 12th Battalion | 11 February 1985 | Daring Dozen | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel JS Antal at Shillong | |
| 14th Battalion | 15 October 1985 | Ferocious Fourteenth | Raised by Colonel Gurdip Singh at Shillong | [34] |
| 15th Battalion | 15 July 1987 | One Five | Raised by Lieutenant Colonel BK Gandhi at Shillong | [35] |
| 16th Battalion | 15 February 2010 | Soaring Sixteen | Raised by Colonel Harjot Singh at Shillong | |
| 17th Battalion | 1 September 2011 | Saggital Ek Saat | Raised by Colonel Avanish Singhal at Umroi Military Station | |
| 119 Infantry Battalion (TA) | 1949 | Assam Terriers | Shillong, Meghalaya | [36] |
| 165 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Home & Hearth) | 1 November 2005 | Manipur Terriers | Imphal, Manipur | [37] |
| 166 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Home & Hearth) | 2006 | Tezpur Terriers | Tezpur, Assam | [38] |
| 134 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Eco-Task Force) | 20 September 2007 | Jungle Warriors, Eastern Planters | Rangiya, Assam | [39][40] |
| 135 Infantry Battalion (TA) (Eco-Task Force) | 2008 | Green Rhinos | Sonitpur, Assam | [41] |
| 35 Rashtriya Rifles | 1 September 1994 | |||
| 42 Rashtriya Rifles | 1 March 2001 | |||
| 59 Rashtriya Rifles | 31 March 2004 | |||
| 1 Arunachal Scouts | 10 November 2010 | Raised at Shillong | [42][43] | |
| 2 Arunachal Scouts | 1 June 2013 | Raised at Umroi Cantt under Colonel Neelesh Anand Pagulwar | [42][44] |
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