Brigadier Rajinder Singh: One Of India’s Little-Known and Unsung War Heroes
One has to do a Google search to realise that 70 years ago, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession to India as the region was under siege from Pakistani forces. The accord made the Indian Army to repel the invaders weeks after the nation gained Independence.
Brigadier Rajinder Singh saluted Maharaja Hari Singh and walked out of the room. “Save the state till the last man and the last bullet” is what Brigadier Singh was famously told by the king. Many may have heard or read this quote somewhere, now let us tell you the story behind this quote.
On 21 October 1947, a force of over 5000 Pakistani troops besieged Jammu and Kashmir after Maharaja Hari Singh declared independence. They tried to take control of the region by force, hoping that the dominant Muslim community would support them. They entered Kashmir via Baramulla and targeted the Sikh and Kashmiri pandits, committing rape, murder and arson in a bid to ‘purge’ the land. Brigadier Rajinder rushed to the town of Muzzafarabad with his men to prevent the onslaught.
Maharaja Hari Singh’s son, Dr Karan Singh, in an interview remembers the day the order was given. In fact, he was present in the room when Maharaja Hari Singh gave that historic command. “It was a worrying situation,” he says. “Brigadier Rajinder Singh was given an order by my father and he just saluted and walked away.”
Brigadier Singh gathered 110 soldiers and moved to Muzaffarabad to counter the invading force of over 6,000 militiamen. He used guerrilla tactics to delay their advance, blowing up the Uri bridge and stalling them in Mahura and Rampur, inflicting heavy casualties. For four days, Brigadier Singh and his brave jawans hindered the progress of the Pakistani invaders. After taking control of Muzaffarabad, the road to Srinagar was open to the Pak led offensive and there seemed to be no challenge to them. The Pakistani marauders committed loot, rape, murder and arson in a bid to remove the land, having full faith that the dominant Muslim community would rally to their cause.
As Brigadier Singh and his men fought, on 26 October, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession joining the Union of India. The Indian military rushed in to back Brigadier Singh. however, just hours away from his position, he was ambushed at Buniyar and fatally wounded. He had held fort and repelled the invaders long enough for the Indian Army to push them back, saving thousands from a brutal onslaught.
He carried out his orders to the letter, setting an unparalleled example of courage and patriotism. “If Brigadier Rajinder Singh had not stopped the Pakistani invaders, if he didn’t sacrifice his life, Kashmir may not have been a part of India,” says Dr Karan Singh.
The day 26 October is remembered as a ‘Black Day’ by separatists in the Kashmir valley, as they rage against the armed forces and the Indian Union. Not only Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir, but the entire nation should honour the sacrifice of India’s first war hero as a strong counter to the separatist narrative. A celebration of his life and service will send a strong message to our brave serving jawans who battle terrorists and stone-pelters to defend the country. He is a symbol of India’s commitment to fight and die for Kashmir
The Government of India should designate 26 October as Martyrs’ Day. Our history is a testimony to how our country is a more enduring force than the blind fury of the misguided and the resolve of the stupids. Even as tensions abound in the Kashmir valley, the soil is struck with the blood and spirit of heroes like Brigadier Singh and will never request to those who would see its beauty burn just to rule over ashes then and ever.
