Indian Army - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia 04/03/10 2:06 PM
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Indian Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/03/10 2:06 PM Indian Army From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Indian Army The Indian Army (IA, Devanāgarī: भारतीय थलना, Bhāratīya Sthalsēnā) is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to ensure the national security and defence of the Republic of India from external aggression and threats, and maintaining peace and security within its borders. It also conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances. Flag of the Indian Army Founded August 15, 1947 The Indian Army came into being when India gained Country India independence in 1947, and inherited most of the infrastructure of the British Indian Army that were Size 1,414,000 active 1,800,000 reserve located in post-partition India. It is a voluntary service and although a provision for military conscription exists Part of Indian Armed Forces in the Indian constitution, it has never been imposed. Headquarters New Delhi, India Colour Gold, red and black Since independence, the Army has been involved in four wars with neighboring Pakistan and one with the Commanders People's Republic of China. Other major operations Chief of the Army General Deepak Kapoor undertaken by the Army include Operation Vijay, Staff Operation Meghdoot and Operation Cactus. Apart from Notable Field Marshal Cariappa conflicts, the Army has been an active participant in commanders Field Marshal United Nations peacekeeping missions. Manekshaw The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a General, is a four star commander and commands the Army. There is never more than one serving general at any given time in the Army. Two officers have been conferred the rank of Field Marshal, a 5- star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief. With about 1,414,000 soldiers in active service[1] and about 1,800,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's second largest active standing army and the largest in terms of army populace.[2] By 2020, the Indian Army plans to upgrade 4,000 T-72s, over 2,500 T-90s, and few thousand other tanks. Contents 1 Mission 2 History 2.1 British Indian Army 2.2 First and Second World Wars 2.3 Inception 3 Conflicts and Operations 3.1 First Kashmir War (1947) 3.2 Inclusion of Hyderabad (1948) 3.3 Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961) 3.4 Sino-Indian Conflict (1962) 3.5 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Army Page 1 of 21 Indian Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/03/10 2:06 PM 3.6 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 3.7 Siachen conflict (1984) 3.8 Counter-insurgency activities 3.9 Kargil conflict (1999) 3.10 United Nations Peacekeeping Missions 3.11 Major Exercises 3.11.1 Operation Brasstacks 3.11.2 Operation Parakram 3.11.3 Operation Sanghe Shakti 3.11.4 Exercise Ashwamedha 4 Structure of the Indian Army 4.1 Commands 4.2 Corps 4.2.1 Regimental Organisation 4.3 Other Field Formations 5 Regiments 5.1 Infantry Regiments 5.2 Artillery Regiments 5.3 Armoured Regiments 6 Indian Army Staff and Equipment 6.1 Strength 6.2 Statistics 6.2.1 Sub-Units 6.3 Rank structure 7 Combat Doctrine 8 Equipment 8.1 Aircraft 8.2 Uniforms 9 Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra 10 Future developments 11 See also 12 References 13 External links Mission The Indian Army doctrine defines its as "The Indian Army is the land Indian Army component of the Indian Armed Forces which exist to uphold the ideals of the Constitution of India." As a major component of national power, along with the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, the roles of the Indian Army are as follows: Primary: Preserve national interests and safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of India against any external threats by deterrence or by waging war. Headquarters Secondary: Assist Government agencies to cope with ‘proxy war’ New Delhi and other internal threats and provide aid to civil authority when History and traditions [3] requisitioned for the purpose." Indian military history British Indian Army History Indian National Army Army Day (15th January) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Army Page 2 of 21 Indian Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/03/10 2:06 PM Army Day (15th January) British Indian Army Equipment Equipment of the Indian Army Main article: British Indian Army Components Further information: List of regiments of the Indian Army (1903) Regiments Personnel A Military Department was created in the Supreme Government of the East Chief of Army Staff India Company at Kolkata in the year 1776, having the main function to sift and record orders relating to the Army issued by various Departments Ranks and insignia of the Govt of East India Co.[4] With the Charter Act of 1833, the Secretariat of the Government of East India Company was reorganised into four Departments, including a Military Department. The Army in the Presidencies of Bengal, Bombay & Madras functioned as respective Presidency Army till April 1895, when the Presidency Armies were unified into a single Indian Army. For administrative convenience, it was divided into four Commands viz. Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma) and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden). The British Indian Army was a critical force in the primacy of the British Empire in both India, as well as across the world. Besides maintaining the internal security of the British Raj, the army fought in theaters around the world - Anglo-Burmese Wars, Anglo-Sikh Wars, Anglo-Afghan Wars, Opium Wars in China, Abyssinia, Boxer Rebellion in China. It is no coincidence that the decline of the British Empire started with the Independence of India. First and Second World Wars Main articles: Indian Army during World War I and Indian Army during World War II In the 20th century, the British Indian Army was a crucial adjunct to the British forces in both the World Wars. 1.3 Million Indian soldiers served in World War I (1914-1918) for the Allies after the Britain made vague promises of self-governance to the Indian National Congress for its support. Britain reneged on its promises after the war, following which the Indian Independence movement gained strength. 74,187 Indian troops were killed or Indian Army personnel during missing in action in the war.[5] Operation Crusader in Egypt, 1941. In World War II (1939-1945), 2.582 Million Indian soldiers fought for the Allies, again after British promises of independence. 87,000 Indian soldiers died in the war. Further information: List of regiments of the Indian Army (1922) Inception Upon independence and the subsequent Partition of India in 1947, the British Indian Army was divided between the newly created nations of Republic of India and Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Four Gurkha regiments were transferred to the British Army, while the rest were incorporated into the Indian Army. Conflicts and Operations First Kashmir War (1947) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Army Page 3 of 21 Indian Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/03/10 2:06 PM Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Almost immediately after independence, tensions between India and Pakistan began to boil over, and the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations broke out over the then princely state of Kashmir. Upon the Maharaja of Kashmir's reluctance to accede to either India or Pakistan, 'tribal' invasion of parts of Kashmir.[6] The men included Pakistan army regulars. Soon after, Pakistan sent in more of its troops to annex the State. The Maharaja, Hari Singh, appealed to India, and to Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the Governor General, for help. He signed the Instrument of Accession and Kashmir acceded to India (a decision ratified by Britain). Immediately after, Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar and repelled the invaders.[6] This contingent included General Thimayya who distinguished himself in the operation and in years that followed, became a Chief of the Indian Army. An intense war was waged across the state and former comrades found themselves fighting each other. Both sides made some territorial gains and also suffered significant losses. An uneasy UN sponsored peace returned by the end of 1948 with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on the Line of Control, which has since divided Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never since been entirely eliminated. Inclusion of Hyderabad (1948) Main article: Operation Polo After the partition of India, the State of Hyderabad, a princely-state under the rule of a Nizam, chose to remain independent. The Nizam, refused to accede his state to the Union of India. The following stand-off between the Government of India and the Nizam ended on 12 September 1948 when India's then deputy-Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel ordered Indian troops to secure the state. With 5 days of low- intensity fighting, the Indian Army, backed by a squadron of Hawker Tempest aircraft of the Indian Air Force, routed the Hyderabad State forces. Five infantry battalions and one armored squadron of the Indian Army were engaged in the operation. The following day, the State of Hyderabad was proclaimed as a part of the Union of India. Major General Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri, who led the Operation Polo was appointed the Military Governor of Hyderabad (1948-1949) to restore law and order. Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961) Main article: Portuguese-Indian War Even though the British and French vacated all their colonial possessions in the Indian subcontinent, Portugal refused to relinquish control of its Indian colonies of Goa, Daman and Diu.