21st Infantry Division (India)

2021-09-24T08:52:18Z

2409:4065:38F:41AD:E45D:5699:C8AF:897C:

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 21st Indian Infantry Division
|image=
|caption=<ref>Cole p. 82</ref>
|dates= 1944 – present
|country= {{flagicon|British Raj}} [[British Raj|British India]]
|allegiance={{flag|British Empire}}
|branch= [[File:British Raj Red Ensign.svg|23px]] [[British Indian Army]]
|type=[[Infantry]]
|role=
|size=[[Division (military)|Division]]
|command_structure=
|garrison= [[Rangiya]], [[Assam]]

|current_commander=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_2=

|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles =
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
}}

The '''21st Indian Infantry Division''' was a division of the [[Indian Army during World War II]]. It was formed in April 1944 in [[Assam]] and is now part of [[File:Gajraj corps.png|30px]] [[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]] or '''Gajraj corps'''.

== History ==
The '''21st Indian Infantry Division''' was a division of the [[Indian Army during World War II]]. It was formed in April 1944, in [[Assam]]. It never saw any combat and its only sub unit was the 268th Indian Infantry Brigade. The division was disbanded and its units transferred to become the [[44th Airborne Division (India)|44th Airborne Division]] in June 1944.<ref>The Indian Army 1914-1947 By Ian Sumner, p.25</ref>

On formation, [[268th Indian Infantry Brigade]], converted from 268th Indian Armoured Brigade in August 1942, consisted of 17/[[7th Rajput Regiment]], 2/[[4th Bombay Grenadiers]], 5/4th Bombay Grenadiers, 2nd Battalion, [[The King's Own Scottish Borderers]], 2nd Battalion, [[The South Lancashire Regiment]], 429th Field Company [[Indian Engineers]], and [[45 Cavalry]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2009-10-15|title=21 Indian Infantry Division|publisher=Order of Battle|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6188&Tab=Sub}}{{Dead link|date=March 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The division was reformed within the [[Indian Army]] after the [[Partition of India]] and is now part of [[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]]. It was raised in 1963 and assigned to [[Arunachal Pradesh]], west of 5 Mountain Division.<ref>Kenneth Conboy et al, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan, p.8</ref>

== Also see ==
*[[IV Corps (India)]]
*[[Eastern Command (India)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:21 Indian Infantry Division}}
[[Category:Indian World War II divisions]]
[[Category:Divisions of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:British Indian Army divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1944]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II]]

IV Corps (India)

2021-09-24T08:45:01Z

2409:4065:38F:41AD:E45D:5699:C8AF:897C: Added logo link

{{short description|Military field formation of the Indian Army}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = IV Corps
| image = Gajraj corps.png
| caption = Indian Army IV corps Formation Sign
| dates = Jan 1942 - November 1945 October 1962 – present
| country = India
| allegiance =
| branch = [[Indian Army]]
| type = Mountain troops
| role = [[Close-quarters combat]] [[Cold-weather warfare]] [[Combined arms]] [[Counter-insurgency]] [[Forward observer]] [[Jungle warfare]] [[Mountain warfare]] [[Raid (military)| Raiding]] [[Reconnaissance]] [[Urban warfare]]
| size = [[Corps]]
| command_structure = [[Eastern Command (India)]]
| garrison = [[Tezpur]]
| nickname = [[File:Gajraj corps.png|30px]] ''Gajraj Corps''
| equipment = 
| notable_commanders = [[Field Marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[Sam Manekshaw]] [[General (India)|General]] [[Om Prakash Malhotra]] [[General (India)|General]] [[Nirmal Chander Vij]] [[Lt Gen Sagat Singh]] [[Lt Gen]] [[Harbaksh Singh]] [[Lt Gen]] [[Devraj Anbu]]
| current_commander = Lt Gen Ravin Khosla,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/national/2021/01/26/change-of-command-of-indian-armys-gajraj-corps|title = Change of command of Indian Army's Gajraj Corps|date = 26 January 2021}}</ref> SM, VSM, AVSM
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
}}
The '''IV Corps''' (also known as the '''Gajraj Corps''') is a military field formation of the [[Indian Army]], covering the states of [[Assam]] and western [[Arunachal Pradesh]].

==History==
[[IV Corps (United Kingdom)|IV Corps]] under Lieutenant General [[Noel Irwin|NMS Irwin]] was deployed from the [[Middle East]] in January 1942 for the defense of [[Assam Province|Assam]] from the advancing [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] during [[World War II]]. Following the end of the war, the corps was demobilised in November 1945.<ref name="4CorpsAPO">{{cite web|url=https://samsshopping.com/product/4-corps-golden-jubilee-1962-2012/|title=4 Corps Golden Jubilee 1962-2012|date=2012-10-04|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref>

The corps was re-raised by Lieutenant General [[Brij Mohan Kaul]] at [[Tezpur, Assam]] on 4 October 1962, close to the [[Sino-Indian War]].<ref>Orbat.com, [https://web.archive.org/web/20040306004515/http://www.orbat.com/site/orbats/data/india/armycorps2003.html Indian Army Corps 2003], accessed July 2010</ref> Over the years, has played a commendable role in both conventional and counter-insurgency operations in the eastern theatre, especially during the 1971 Bangladesh war.

During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], the Gajraj Corps made the famous advance to [[Dhaka]] during the liberation of Bangladesh and also participated in the [[Meghna Heli Bridge]] Operations. Lieutenant General [[Sagat Singh]], PVSM had innovatively employed [[Mil Mi-4|Mi-4]] helicopters to cross Meghna River, which was considered impassable and his Corps relentlessly attacked and defeated the Pakistani forces. The innovative use of helicopters has remained unparalleled. The Corps had proved its mettle and very proficiently carried out its task in the most complex sector in terms of distances from the logistic bases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/gajraj-corps-celebrates-58th-raising-day-raised-amid-india-china-war-654313|title=Gajraj Corps, raised amid India-China war, celebrates 58th Raising Day|date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

The corps has been active in counter-insurgency roles as part of Operation Bajrang (from November 1990), Operation Rhino I (from September 1991) and Operation Rhino II (from April 1992).<ref name="4CorpsAPO"/>
==Composition==
It currently consists of:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stratpost.com/how-the-army-lost-secret-op-plans-against-china/|title=How the army lost secret op plans against China|date=2013-06-13|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>

*[[71 Mountain Division (Indian Army)|71 Mountain Division]], headquartered at [[Sonitpur district|Missamari]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://chhindits.blogspot.com/2010/07/dna-page-1-indian-armys-new-division-to.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102162504/http://chhindits.blogspot.com/2010/07/dna-page-1-indian-armys-new-division-to.html |archive-date=2 November 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[5th Infantry Division (India)|5th Mountain Division]] (Ball of Fire Division<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/5-div.htm|title=5 Mountain Division / Ball of Fire Division|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>), headquartered at [[Bomdila]]. The division was converted to a mountain division in 1963. It is posted to the west of 2 Mountain Division in [[Arunachal Pradesh]].<ref>Conboy et al, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan,p.8</ref>
*[[21st Infantry Division (India)|21st Mountain Division]] (Red Horn Division<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/21-div.htm|title=21 Mountain Division / Red Horns Division|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>), headquartered at [[Rangiya|Rangia]]. It includes 77 Mountain Brigade.<ref>http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-34700130_ITM</ref>

== List of General Officers Commanding==
For the list of GOCs between 1942 and 1945 - [[IV Corps (United Kingdom)#General Officers Commanding|List of GOCs 1942-45]]

{{Incomplete list|date=June 2021}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Rank
!Name
!Appointment Date
!Left Office
!Unit of Commission
!References
|-
| rowspan="40" |[[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Brij Mohan Kaul]]
|4 October 1962
|
|[[Rajputana Rifles]]
|<ref name="4CorpsAPO"/> {{refn|group=nb|Lieutenant General [[Harbaksh Singh]] took over command of 4 Corps for a few days, when Lieutenant General B M Kaul had fallen sick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-general-who-saved-punjab-in-the-1965-war/20150907.htm|title=The general who saved Punjab in the 1965 War|date=2015-09-07|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>}}
|-
|[[Sam Manekshaw|SHFJ Manekshaw]]
|2 December 1962
|4 December 1963
|[[8th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1963/O-1838-1963-0001-83376.pdf|title=Gazette of India|date=1963-01-05|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sagat Singh]]
|December 1970
|
|[[3rd Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1970-JUNE-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1970-12-11_244.pdf|title=PIB release|date=1970-12-11|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref>
|-
|Stanley Leslie Menezes
|
|31 May 1978
|[[The Grenadiers]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1978-APR-AUG-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-PART-2/PDF/DEF-1978-05-19_074.pdf|title=PIB|date=1978-05-19|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref>
|-
|[[Arun Shridhar Vaidya]]
|1 July 1980
|
|[[9th Deccan Horse]]
|<ref name="Corps Commander">{{cite web |title=GENERAL VAIDYA APPOINTED CORPS COMMANDER |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1980-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1980-07-01_002.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=1 July 1980}}</ref>
|-
|N S Narahari
|1986
|
|[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stratnewsglobal.com/china/sumdorong-chu-episode-when-india-dared-china/|title=Sumdorong Chu Episode: When India Dared China|date=2020-10-11|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ajai Singh]]
|1990
|1992
|[[Poona Horse]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://assamassembly.gov.in/biodata-governor-ajai-singh.html|title=Governor of Assam (2003 - 2008)|date=|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|NK Kapur
|1994
|
|[[Rajput Regiment]]
|
|-
|Baldev Singh
|1995
|
|[[4th Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|-
|[[Nirmal Chander Vij]]
|1997
|
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|
|-
|R K Sawhney
|
|January 1998
|
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/oct/10assam1.htm|title=ULFA has accumulated around Rs 15 billion so far|date=|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|[[D. B. Shekatkar|D B Shekatkar]]
|1999
|2000
|[[Maratha Light Infantry]]
|
|-<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/indo-bhutan-joint-raids-likely/cid/926357|title=INDO-BHUTAN JOINT RAIDS LIKELY|date=1999-04-10|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|Mahesh Vij
|June 2000
|
|[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2000/jun/07army.htm|title=Govt finally approves army promotions|date=2000-06-07|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|Mohinder Singh
|
|February 2004
|[[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/lt-gen-mohinder-singh-assumes-charge-as-adjutant-general_144695.html|title=Lt Gen Mohinder Singh assumes charge as Adjutant General|date=2004-02-03|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref>
|-
|Anup Singh Jamwal
|February 2004
|March 2005
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/lt-gen-anup-singh-jamwal-takes-over-as-adjutant-general_252757.html|title=Lt Gen Anup Singh Jamwal takes over as Adjutant General|date=2005-10-31|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref>
|-
|Hardev Singh Lidder
|March 2005
|March 2006
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]
|<ref name="HS Lidder">{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.htm|title=Lt Gen HS Lidder new CIDS|date=2006-03-03|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|Ranbir K Chhabra
|March 2006
|August 2007
|[[4th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref name="HS Lidder"/>
|-
|B S Jaswal
|August 2007
|
|[[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/08/02/lt-gen-jaiswal-new-goc-of-4-corps-1186070603.html|title=Lt Gen Jaiswal new GOC of 4 Corps|date=2007-08-02|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
|2009
|2010
|[[Rajputana Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090625/nation.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Nation|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|Gyan Bhushan
|March 2010
|29 June 2011
|[[Mahar Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2010/mar01-10/h17.htm|title=17|website=sainiksamachar.nic.in|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|Shakti Gurung
|30 June 2011
|15 August 2012
|[[The Grenadiers]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul0111/city07|title=The Assam Tribune Online|last=Trade|first=TI|website=www.assamtribune.com|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|Changali Ananda Krishnan
|16 August 2012
|19 August 2013
|[[4th Gorkha Rifles|4 Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/lt-gen-krishnan-takes-charge-at-gajraj-corps-420315.html|title=Lt Gen Krishnan takes charge at Gajraj Corps|date=2012-08-16|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-12-29|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|Anil Kumar Ahuja
|20 August 2013
|27 October 2014
|[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/lt-gen-ahuja-takes-over-as-goc-gajraj-corps-113082000584_1.html|title=Lt Gen Ahuja takes over as GOC Gajraj Corps|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2013-08-20|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sarath Chand]]
|28 October 2014
|16 November 2015
|[[The Garhwal Rifles|Garhwal Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/lt-gen-sarath-chand-takes-over-command-of-gajraj-4-corps-114102801063_1.html|title=Lt Gen Sarath Chand takes over command of Gajraj 4 Corps|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2014-10-28|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|[[Devraj Anbu]]
|17 November 2015
|24 December 2016
|[[Sikh Light Infantry]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/lt-gen-devraj-anbu-takes-charge-as-new-goc-of-4-corps/articleshow/49820180.cms|title=Lt Gen Devraj Anbu takes charge as new GOC of 4 corps|date=2015-11-17|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|[[Amarjeet Singh Bedi]]
|25 November 2016
|28 December 2017
|[[Garhwal Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lt-gen-amarjeet-singh-bedi-takes-over-as-goc-gajraj-corps/1/819699.html|title=Lt Gen Amarjeet Singh Bedi takes over as GOC, Gajraj Corps|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|[[Gurpal Singh Sangha]]
|29 December 2017
|30 December 2018
|[[The Grenadiers]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lt-gen-gurpal-singh-sangha-is-the-new-general-officer-commanding-bengal-area-4670080/|title=Lt Gen Gurpal Singh Sangha is the new General Officer Commanding, Bengal Area|date=2017-05-23|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-12-29|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/lt-gen-gurpal-singh-sangha-takes-over-as-goc-of-gajraj-corps/1219639|title=Lt Gen Gurpal Singh Sangha takes over as GOC of Gajraj Corps|work=outlookindia.com/|access-date=2017-12-29}}</ref>
|-
|[[Manoj Pande (General)|Manoj Pande]]
| 30 December 2018
|May 2019
|[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]]
|<ref name="Pande_IV_Corps">{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/lt-gen-manoj-pande-takes-charge-of-gajraj-corps-118123000518_1.html|title=Lt Gen Manoj Pande takes charge of Gajraj Corps|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2018-12-30|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-01-11}}</ref><ref>http://www.uniindia.com/lt-gen-manoj-pande-takes-over-as-new-chief-of-southern-command-pune/other/news/976506.html</ref>
|-
|Santanu Dayal
|May 2019
|26 January 2021
|[[Garhwal Rifles]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2020/10/04/assam-gajraj-corps-celebrates-its-58th-raising-day-at-tezpur/|title=Assam: Gajraj Corps celebrates its 58th Raising Day at Tezpur|date=2020-10-04|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
|-
|Ravin Khosla
|26 January 2021
|Incumbent
|[[5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-lt-gen-ravin-khosla-takes-over-command-of-gajraj-corps.html|title=Assam: Lt Gen Ravin Khosla takes over command of Gajraj Corps|date=2021-01-21|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref>
|}
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

== See also ==
*[[I Corps (India)]]
*[[II Corps (India)]]
*[[III Corps (India)]]

==References==
*John H. Gill, An Atlas of the 1971 India - Pakistan War: The Creation of Bangladesh, Near East South Asia Centre for Strategic Studies ([[National Defense University]]), via scribd.com

==External links ==
*Globalsecurity.org, [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/eastcom.htm Eastern Command], accessed July 2010

{{Indian Army}}
{{Active_corps_of_the_Indian_Army}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:04 Corps}}
[[Category:Tezpur]]
[[Category:Corps of India|004]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1961]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in India]]

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21st Infantry Division (India)

IV Corps (India)