HINDU WAR CRIES
The age-old tradition (Sanatan Parampara) of Indians has been to chant the Name of God during war. Hinduism is very much a part of Indian Culture(s). It makes me proud that the Indian Army still chant God's Name.
The battle cries of the Bihar Regiment, consisting of 17 battalions, are "Jai Bajrang Bali" ("Victory to Lord Hanuman")
For Bihari Bisraites, "Birsa Munda Ki Jai" ("Victory to Birsa Munda"). The latter war cry, obviously, is resorted to by the sizeable number of soldiers recruited from the tribal belts of Jharkhand and Chhota Nagpur regions.
For the 19-strong battalions of the Rajputana Rifles, its war cries are: "Raja Ram Chandra Ki Jai" ("Victory to Raja Ram Chandra") chanted by the Rajput, Kshatriya and Thakur soldiers.
For the 19 battalions of the Punjab Regiment, the twin war cries are "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal" ("He who cries God is Truth, is ever happy") for the Sikh soldiers.
For the Punjabi Regiment mainstream Hindus, "Bol Jwala Ma Ki Jai" ("Say Victory to Goddess Jwala") For the 19 battalions of the Rajput Regiment which consist of Rajput, Muslim, Bengali, Oriya, Gujar and Ahir (Yadav) soldiers, the battle cry is "Bol Bajrang Bali Ki Jai" ("Say Victory to Lord Hanuman")".
The 19 battalions of Kumaon Regiment, which produced three Army Chiefs (Srinagesh, Thimayya and Raina) has four battle cries: "Kalika Mata Ki Jai", "Bajrang Bali Ki Jai", "Dada Kishan Ki Jai" and "Jai Durge Naga" meant for the 1st and 2nd Naga Regiment attached to the Kumaonis in their regimental training centre.
For the 18-battalion Garhwalis, the war cry had to be "Badri Vishal Lal Ki Jai" ("Victory to the Great Lord Badri Nath").
The Dogras, with 18 battalions, chant "Jawala Mata Ki Jai". Incidentally, the present Army Chief is the first Dogra officer of this regiment with glorious history.
To the Sikh Regiment and the Sikh Light Infantry, the war cry is identical - "Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal".
The 19 Battalions of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles start war with the chorus "Durga Mata Ki Jai".
For the 14 Battalions of Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry and the two Battalions of Ladakh Scouts, the mantra is "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".
Although the famous Gorkha war cry is universally known as "Ayo Gorkhali" ("The Gorkhas are here"), at least one regiment, that is, the 11 Gorkha Rifles, starts its battle with "Jai Mahakali". Field Marshal SHF J Manekshaw was from 8 Gorkha Rifles.
In addition there are also many Indian Army regiments which chant "Har Har Mahadev", which has been used by many Hindu defenders in the past such as Chhatrapati and Prithviraj Chauhan.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks