Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was an Indian Army soldier who was famous for his role in defending Nuranam in Arunachal Pradesh and fighting against the Indian Army during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. For his contribution, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), India’s second highest gallantry award. The Chinese team fought for 72 hours. On November 17, 1962, he was killed by Chinese automatic weapons fire while heading to safety. He is also known as “the ghost who keeps vigil at the Chinese border” or “the savior of Arunachal Pradesh”.
Wiki/Biography
Jaswant Singh Rawat was born on Tuesday, August 19, 1941, in Bayun village, British Garhwal district, United Provinces of British India (now Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand state, India) (Now 21 years old; at the time of death). After completing his studies till ninth grade, he was sent to Garhwal Rifles Regimental Center, Lansdowne, for training on 16 August 1960. While he was completing his training, war broke out between India and China on the Eastern Front, and he was tasked with heading to the border to fight the invaders.
family
Parents and siblings
His father, Guman Singh Rawat, was in the army, not as a soldier but as a defense civilian employee at a military dairy farm in Dehradun.
His mother, Lila Devi Rawat, was a housewife who died in 2016 at the age of 96.
Leela Devi Rawat, mother of Jaswant Singh Rawat
His younger brothers are named Vijay Singh Rawat and Ranvir Singh Rawat. Vijay Singh Rawat is a retired officer from the Survey of India.
Jaiswant Singh’s younger brother Vijay Singh Rawat
Ancestral service legacy
Two of Jaswant Singh’s ancestors, Veer Senani Bhupu Raut and Tilu Rautali, served as officers in the Garhwal court. Both men were known for historically exemplary courage and bravado. Tilu Rauteli is known as the “Rani Laxmi Bai of Garhwal”.
Relationships/Affairs
When rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat moved to Nooranam in Arunachal Pradesh, two girls named Sela and Noora often Go to his outpost and provide rations to the soldiers deployed there. It is believed that he fell in love with Serra. Some reports also report that Jaswant Singh is in a relationship with both Saira and Noura sisters. During the defense of Nuranam, both Serra and Noura helped Jaswant Singh. During the battle, Sela and Jaswant Singh Rawat died, and Noora was captured by the Chinese and never came back after the war.
Profession
Jaswant Singh was an excellent student with a bright future and wanted to study further, but due to his family’s poor financial situation, he decided to join the army. He was admitted into the Garhwal Rifles Center at Lansdowne by his uncle, Major Pratap Singh Negi, who retired from the army. .
After arriving at the destination
Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat and his unit 4 Garhwal Rifles (red circle)
After the training, he along with his 4th Garhwal Rifles Regiment was posted to the North Eastern Frontier Agency now in Arunachal Pradesh to secure the Nuranan Bridge to ensure the safety of Serra as the troops had The withdrawal came from Tawang. On November 17, 1962, the Chinese army began a series of attacks to seize positions occupied by the Indian army. Delta Company or ‘D’ Company of 4th Garhwal Rifles takes a defensive stance on Nuranang Bridge. At about 5 a.m. on the same day, the Chinese penetration attempt was thwarted by the security forces of D Company. The Chinese army then launched a series of attacks, all of which were successfully repelled by the soldiers. The company’s light machine guns were unable to provide effective firepower to the Indian army as the Chinese deployed medium machine guns and fired directly at the Indian light machine gun posts, so rifleman Jaswant Singh and two other riflemen ran Lance Naik Trilok Singh Negi and Rifleman Gopal Singh Gusain on the orders of Company Commander Lieutenant Tandon Next, voluntarily suppress the enemy’s MMG. Silently they crawled towards the enemy machine gun post, Jaswant threw a grenade at the post, killing several Chinese inside the post, while Lance Naik Trilok Singh Ne Lance Naik Trilok Singh Negi provides them with cover fire.
https://wikibio.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-sten-machine-gun-mark-5-used-by-Indian-troops-during-the-Battle-of-Nuranang-1962. -300×225.jpg 300w, 768w” Sizes=”(max-width: 515px) 100vw, 515px” />Sten machine gun No. 5 used by the Indian Army during the Battle of Nuranam, 1962
Lance Naik Trilok Singh Negi and rifleman Jaswant Singh return with the enemy’s MMG after capturing it Shot while on duty. Although rifleman Gusain was seriously injured during the battle, he managed to drag the MMG back to his post, thus changing the course of the battle. ‘D’ Company of the 4th Garhwal Rifles was ordered to retreat, which they did, but Jaswant Singh decided to stay and hold the position. He was aided by two sisters, Noora and Sela, who helped him fend off the Chinese for 72 hours straight. As the last man standing, Jaswant Singh established several bases at different posts to fight back. He often ran from one post to another, firing weapons from the posts, giving the impression of holding his ground. There is only one human image.
https://wikibio.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-bunker-used-by-Jaswant-Singh-and-his-comrades-during-the-Battle-of-Nuranang-237×300.jpg 237w ” size=”(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px” />The bunker used by Jaswant Singh and his comrades during the Battle of Nuranam
Awards
Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was awarded India’s second highest gallantry award – Mahavir Chakra for the raw courage and complete disregard for personal safety he displayed in the face of the enemy (MVC). ((Honor point
Commendations to the winners of the 4th Garhwal Rifles Regiment in the Battle of Nuranam
Honor
Jaswant Garh Memorial was built in the memory of brave rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat.
The outpost where Jaswant Singh Rawat fought his last battle was named Jaswant Garh in memory of this brave warrior who fought bravely against the Chinese army
die
When a local porter who was supplying rations to Jaswant Singh, Noura and Serra was captured by the Chinese, it became known to the Chinese that not the entire battalion but only one man and two women could do so effectively Block the Chinese. The Chinese surrounded them and attacked them with sheer force. Serra was killed in a grenade attack and Noura was captured by the Chinese. When Jaswant realized that he was surrounded by enemies, he decided to end his life to avoid being captured by the Chinese army. However, another source claimed that Jaswant Singh did not shoot himself, but was captured and hanged by the Chinese.
Facts/Trivia
- Even 60 years after his death, rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat is still believed to be on duty on the Chinese border.
- He receives all the perks, privileges and emoluments according to his rank. He was still promoted and given time off, per Army regulations.
Leave certificate issued to Jaswant Singh Rawat even after his martyrdom
- The post where he fought and died has a shrine dedicated to him, Jaswant Garh, where soldiers took care of him, shining his shoes, making his bed and giving him food.
Rifleman Jaswant Singh on his bed at Jaswant Garh memorial
- After the Battle of Nurarang, the Chinese beheaded the dead Jaswant Singh and took back his head as a symbol of his fighting prowess.
- After the Sino-Indian war, the Chinese commander returned the head of rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat to the Indian commander, along with a brass bust of Jaswant Singh and a note , which tells how he bravely fought against the Chinese troops and kept them at bay. Three days and three nights in a row.
Bust of Rifleman Jaswant Singh gifted to India by Chinese commander in memory of this brave heart
- Jaswant Singh still got promoted and now he has reached the level of honorary captain.
Jaswant Singh Rawat’s personal belongings were displayed at his memorial service, including his current military rank
- The 4th Garhwal Rifles were awarded the Battle Honor Nuranang for the gallantry of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat and his company.
- It is said that the world-famous Sera Pass and Noora Falls were named after the two girls who helped Jaswant defend Noora Nam. The Indian Army also named one of its posts as Noura Post in memory of the girl.
- The soldier who shined his shoes often said that his shoes were covered with mud again. He also guided military vehicles through roads during snowstorms or blizzards.
- Soldiers, irrespective of their rank, salute and pay homage to ‘Jaswant Baba’ while passing his shrine.
Wreath laying ceremony at Jaswant Ghar Memorial
- Jaswant Singh is also said to have received numerous letters from across the country mentioning their problems as he allegedly helped those who were in need or going through problems.
- The Battle of Nuranam was fought at an altitude of 10,000 feet and Jaswant Singh is said to have killed more than 300 Chinese soldiers in this battle.
- Whenever Jaswant Singh went on leave, soldiers would carry his portrait on a train and hand it over to his family members at the station to greet him. All leaves taken by Jaswant Singh were requested by his family members.
- In 2019, Avinash Dhyani directed a biopic based on the martyrdom of rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat titled 72 Hours: The Immortal Martyr .
“72 Hours – The Immortal Martyr” movie poster
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education