Uri Attack: Bihar Regiment, Indian Army's bold and brave regiment

The terrorist attack on the Uri army base on September 18 saw a large number of soldiers from the 6th battalion of the Bihar regiment attaining martyrdom. The Bihar regiment is one of the finest regiments of the Indian army and has the distinction of taking part in many undulating operations in the glorious military history of the Indian army. In the highest traditions of the Indian army, the infantry soldiers of the Bihar regiment yet again made the supreme sacrifice to defend the sovereign and territorial integrity of our motherland.

Here are more insights into the Bihar Regiment of the Indian army

1. Overview

The Bihar Regiment is one of the oldest infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment’s lineage can be traced back to the British Indian Army. The Bihar Regiment was formed in 1941 by regularising the 11th (Territorial) Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment, and raising new battalions. 

Year of Formation: 1941

Regiment Type: Infantry 

Insignia:         The Ashoka Lion

Motto: Karam Hi Dharam (Work is Worship)

War Cry:      Jai Bajrang Bali (Victory to Bajrang Bali)................ Birsa Munda Ki Jai (Victory to Birsa Munda)

Bihar Regimental Centre:    Danapur Cantonment, the second oldest cantonment of India

2. History of the Regiment

The Bihar regiment traces back its history to the ‘sepoy’ battalions raised by Lord Robert Clive in 1757. In 1757, Lord Clive of the British East India Company at Patna raised the 'sepoy' battalions. These battalions were formed by the men from the Bhojpur region of Bihar.

Mir Qasim was impressed with their skills in warfare and began training these units in western combat techniques. ‘Bihari’ battalions raised by Mir Qasim registered impressive victories over the mighty British in some engagements. Once they made a name for themselves in military warfare, the 'Bihari' or 'Purbiya', soldiers formed the backbone of the Bengal Infantry of the British Colonial Army.

The 'Bihari' soldiers were not only physically tough but had a great mental acumen to grasp the tactical nuances of warfare. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 which sparked off with the introduction of greased cartridges, was led by Bihari troops, who preferred being blown by the guns to losing their faith. ‘Biharis’ thereafter were not encouraged to enter military service by the British until after World War.

3. Composition and Recruitment

The regiment recruits its troops from the Indian state of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The troops of the regiment mainly belonged to the Rajput and Bhumihar castes.

4. Military Operations

The regiment has taken part in some of the toughest operations at different war fronts, right from the Kashmir Valley operations during 1948-49, the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971 and the 1999 Kargil intrusion. The regiment has been decorated with many battle honours for doing exceedingly well in military operations and turning the tide of many important battles by capturing strategic features.

5. Battle Honours 

Pre-Independence  - Haka, Gangaw 

Post-lndependence - Akhaura, Batalik

6. UN Peace Keeping Assignments

The battalions of the regiment have the distinction of having proudly represented the Indian Army in the UN Peacekeeping operations in Somalia (UNOSOM) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).