India has produced countless Bravehearts who have stood steadfast in the defense of the nation. Among them, Major Shaitan Singh’s name shines in golden letters for his unparalleled courage and leadership during the Indo-China War of 1962. His heroics at the Battle of Rezang La not only thwarted the enemy’s advance but also left behind an inspiring tale of supreme sacrifice. For his extraordinary bravery, Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor.
Early Life and Military Career
Major Shaitan Singh was born on 1 December 1924 in Banasar village of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, into a Rajasthani Rajput family of the Bhati clan. His father, Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singh, served in the Indian Army during World War I and was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the British government. Growing up in a military family, young Shaitan Singh imbibed the values of discipline, patriotism, and valor.
He completed his schooling at Chopasni Senior Secondary School, Jodhpur, where he displayed his sporting prowess as a skilled football player. After finishing his schooling in 1943, he pursued his higher education at Jaswant College, graduating in 1947. On 1 August 1949, he joined the Jodhpur State Forces as an officer, marking the beginning of an illustrious military career.
Commissioned into 13 KUMAON of the Indian Army, he played a significant role in the liberation of Goa in 1961. However, his moment of eternal glory arrived during the Sino-India War of 1962, when he led his men in an epic battle at Rezang La.
The Battle of Rezang La
The Kumaon Regiment, with a legacy dating back to the 18th century, has fought in every major battle of the Indian Army, demonstrating immense bravery in both World Wars and post-independence conflicts. True to their regimental motto, Parakramo Vijayate (Valour Triumphs), 13 KUMAON’s C Company, commanded by Major Shaitan Singh, proved their mettle at Rezang La.
By 1959, Chinese forces had started moving further into Indian territory, establishing themselves in strategic locations such as Chushul-Rezang La. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war on 8 September 1962 when Chinese troops launched simultaneous attacks in Ladakh and the Eastern sector. The battle at Rezang La, a critical location at an altitude of 17,000 feet, became one of the fiercest engagements of the war.
On 18 November 1962, in the early hours of the morning, around 600 Chinese soldiers launched an assault on Rezang La, targeting Charlie Company’s isolated position. The enemy had numerical superiority and better equipment suited for high-altitude warfare. However, Major Shaitan Singh and his men stood resolute against the invading forces.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Indian soldiers unleashed a withering hail of fire on the advancing Chinese, inflicting severe casualties. The enemy regrouped and launched successive waves of attacks, but Major Shaitan Singh continued to move from post to post, boosting the morale of his men and ensuring coordinated defensive fire.
The fight was brutal, with the enemy using artillery and mortar fire to weaken the Indian position. Amid the chaos, Major Shaitan Singh was critically wounded in the arm and abdomen. Even in his injured state, he refused to retreat. When his men attempted to carry him to safety, he ordered them to leave him behind and save themselves. Eventually, he succumbed to his injuries, but his soldiers continued fighting to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the enemy.
The Ultimate Sacrifice and Legacy
The aftermath of the battle was a testimony to the incredible sacrifice of the Indian soldiers. Out of 120 Indian soldiers, 114 attained martyrdom, while the Chinese suffered massive casualties, reportedly four to five times higher. Such was the determination of the Kumaonis that even after the battle, bodies of Indian soldiers were found frozen in battle positions, clutching their weapons.
For his supreme courage, leadership, and selfless sacrifice, Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. His citation read:
“Major Shaitan Singh was commanding a company of an infantry battalion deployed at Rezang La in the Chushul sector at a height of about 17,000 feet. The locality was isolated from the main defended sector and consisted of five platoon-defended positions. On 18 November 1962, the Chinese forces subjected the company position to heavy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire and attacked it in overwhelming strength in several successive waves. Against heavy odds, our troops beat back successive waves of enemy attack.”
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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