Rajput war heroes from modern times. The 1947-48 War was fought between India and Pakistan in the Jammu and Kashmir State. The main fighting was in the hills of Jammu, along the Jhelum river as it pours into Pakistan, some in the valley and mountains of Kashmir, and important battles were fought in the plateau of Ladakh.
1947-48 Indo-Pak war
Brigadier Rajinder Singh
The Brigadier was a Jamwal Rajput from Jammu who rose to command the State Forces of J&K. His heroic ancestor General Baj Singh had sacrificed his life in the defence of Chitral. Brigadier Rajinder Singh was the first Indian to be decorated with the second highest gallantry award the Mahavir Chakra posthumously. In 1947 war hero Rajinder Singh held back a huge army of 6000 Pakistani invaders with a handfull of men, medium machine guns, a detachment of 3 inch mortars and three Rajpoot officers Capt. Prithi Singh, Capt. Khazan Singh and Lt. Nasib Singh.Lieutenant Kishan Singh
A Rathore Rajput from Bikaner, Rajasthan, Kishan Singh was avarded the MVC for defeating the pakistanis with a bayonet charge, disregarding the heavy enemy fire.Brigadier Yadunath Singh
A Bhati Rajput, Brigadier Yadunath Singh commanded the 19 Infantry Brigade in the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war. War hero Yadunath liberated Jhangar and Rajauri and was awarded the MVC for his bravery and leadership skills.
Havaldar Piru Singh
A Shekhawat Rajput from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, Havaldar Piru Singh received the highest gallantry award the Paramvir Chakra (PVC). Showing exceptional bravery, the havaldar destroyed a Pakistani medium machine gun post, but lost his entire section in the attack and was badly wounded. Undeterred the brave Rajpoot, shouting the battle cry "Raja Ramchandra Ki Jai", single-handedly destroyed the second Pakistani post with grenades. Fatally wounded by grenades and bullets, Piru Singh Shekhawat, killed even more Pakistanis in a third bunker before bleeding to death.Naik Jadunath Singh
A Rathore Rajput from Uttar Pradesh, Naik Jadunath Singh, commanded a picket of nine men at Naushera and defended it for a whole night against thousands of Pakistanis. The enemy made wave after wave of attacks but retreated in defeat each time. Even when all his men were killed, the wounded Jadunath Singh, saved the post for a third time by charging out and firing his sten gun on the bewildered enemy. Victory was India's but Naik Jadunath Singh paid with his life and was awarded the highest gallantry award, the Paramvir Chakra, posthumously.Sepoy Dewan Singh
A Kumaoni Rajput from Uttarakhand, Sepoy Dewan Singh was awarded the MVC posthumously, for battling the Pakistanis alone and enabling his platoon to regroup and find a more secure post.
Captain Khushal Chand and Major Prithi Chand
Rajputs from Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh, the two officers were cousins who formed a force of Lahaulis to reinforce the Indian troops in Ladakh during the 1948 war. In the height of winter they crossed the Zojila Pass and helped in the defence of Leh against a 1000 strong Pakistani force. Using guerrila tactics they bled and exhausted the pakistanis; Prithi Chand destroyed an enemy howitzer. Both Captain Khushal Chand (above photo) and Major Prithi Chand were awarded the MVC.Rifleman Dhonkal Singh
The rifleman was awarded the MVC posthumously for helping capture a strategic enemy post, sacrificing his life in the valiant attempt.Naik Nar Singh
War hero Naik Nar Singh led only a section of men to capture a Pakistani hill feature, killing 20 of the enemy and wounding the rest. The Kumaoni Rajput was found dead on a heap of pakistani bodies, still holding on to an enemy bren gun, and was awarded the MVC for exceptional bravery.Lt. Colonel Anant Singh Pathania
A Pathania Rajput from Reh in Himachal Pradesh, Anant Singh led his Gorkha troops in the Ladakh sector, defeating the Pakistani invaders and inflicting heavy casualties. It was one of the hardest battles of the Ladakh sector and Anant Singh Pathania was awarded the MVC for exceptional gallantry and leadership, rising later to the rank of Major-General.
