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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Southern Command
| unit_name                     = Southern Command
| image = IA Southern Command.svg
| image                         = IA Southern Command.svg
| image_size = 150px
| image_size                   = 150px
| caption = Southern Command's insignia today.
| caption                       = Southern Command's insignia today.
| country = {{flag|India}}
| country                       = {{flag|India}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| branch                       = {{army|India}}
| type = [[Formation (military)|Command]]
| type                         = [[Formation (military)|Command]]
| dates = 1908–present
| dates                         = 1908–present
| specialization =  
| specialization               =  
| command_structure =  
| command_structure             =  
| size =  
| size                         =  
| current_commander = [[Lieutenant general|Lieutenant General]] [[Jai Singh Nain]]
| current_commander             = [[Lieutenant general|Lt Gen]] Ajai Kumar Singh
| garrison = [[Pune]]
| garrison                     = [[Pune]]
| battles =  
| battles                       =  
| notable_commanders = General [[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]]<br/> General [[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]] <br/> General [[Bipin Chandra Joshi]]<br/> General [[Ved Prakash Malik]]<br/> General [[Sundararajan Padmanabhan]] <br/> General [[Nirmal Chander Vij]]<br/> General [[Bipin Rawat]]
| notable_commanders           = General [[Rajendrasinhji Jadeja]]<br/> General [[S. M. Shrinagesh|S M Shrinagesh]]<br/> General [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K S Thimayya]]<br/> General [[Pran Nath Thapar]]<br/> General [[Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri]]<br/> General [[Gopal Gurunath Bewoor]]<br/> General [[Om Prakash Malhotra]]<br/> General [[Bipin Chandra Joshi]]<br/> General [[Ved Prakash Malik]]<br/> General [[Sundararajan Padmanabhan]]<br/> General [[Nirmal Chander Vij]]<br/> General [[Bipin Rawat]]
}}
}}
'''Southern Command''' is a [[formation (military)|formation]] of the [[Indian Army]], active since 1895. It has seen action during the integration of several [[Princely States]] into modern India, during the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|1961 Indian liberation of Goa]], and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars. Lieutenant General [[Jai Singh Nain]] is the current Southern Army Commander.<ref name=nain/>
'''Southern Command''' is a [[formation (military)|formation]] of the [[Indian Army]], active since 1895. It has seen action during the integration of several [[Princely States]] into modern India, during the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|1961 Indian liberation of Goa]], and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars. Lieutenant General [[Jai Singh Nain]] is the current Southern Army Commander.<ref name="nain">{{cite web |date=31 January 2021 |title=JS Nain army commander southern command |url=https://deccanexpress.co/defence/pune-southern-command-lieutenant-general-js-nain-is-the-new-southern-army-commander-16734/ |access-date=1 February 2021 |publisher=Deccan Express}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Line 28: Line 28:


===Second World War===
===Second World War===
During the Second World War, Southern Command was reformed as Southern Army in April 1942. The formation reverted to the title Southern Command in November 1945.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Army|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sup}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
During the Second World War, Southern Command was reformed as Southern Army (equivalent to a [[corps]]) in April 1942. The formation reverted to the title Southern Command in November 1945.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Army|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sup}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


Component divisions included:<ref name=sas1>{{cite web|title=Southern Army Subordinates|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sub}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Component divisions included:<ref name=sas1>{{cite web|title=Southern Army Subordinates|access-date=11 October 2009|publisher=OOB.com|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=7163&Tab=Sub}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
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In 1947–48, Southern Command was largely responsible in getting [[Junagadh]] and [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] to sign the instrument of accession to India.<ref name="IA"/> [[1st Armoured Division (India)|1st Armoured Division]] did the actual incursion into Hyderabad. In 1961, the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|Indian annexation of Goa]] was conducted by [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Infantry Division]] and [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Parachute Brigade]], under the operational control of Southern Command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillarisetti |first=Jagan |title=The Liberation of Goa: 1961 |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031005110857/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |archive-date=5 October 2003 |access-date=12 June 2014 |website=[[Bharat Rakshak]] |df=dmy}}</ref>
In 1947–48, Southern Command was largely responsible in getting [[Junagadh]] and [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] to sign the instrument of accession to India.<ref name="IA"/> [[1st Armoured Division (India)|1st Armoured Division]] did the actual incursion into Hyderabad. In 1961, the [[1961 Indian Annexation of Goa|Indian annexation of Goa]] was conducted by [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Infantry Division]] and [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Parachute Brigade]], under the operational control of Southern Command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillarisetti |first=Jagan |title=The Liberation of Goa: 1961 |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031005110857/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |archive-date=5 October 2003 |access-date=12 June 2014 |website=[[Bharat Rakshak]] |df=dmy}}</ref>


In 1965–66, two further divisions were raised within the command. After fighting broke out in the [[Rann of Kutch]] in April 1965, a hastily constituted force, named Kilo Force under Maj. Gen [[P. O. Dunn]] was formed to contain this attack.<ref name="IA"/> Kilo Force was later re-designated as 11 Infantry Division. In September 1965, the operational responsibility for the Barmer sector was given to Southern Command and entrusted to 11 Infantry Division. Delhi and Rajasthan Area, with its Advance Headquarters at Jodhpur, fought in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] under [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]. On 3 November 1966, this formation was redesignated [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th Infantry Division]], under Major General [[J.F.R. Jacob]], and also placed under Southern Command.<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye 2011, p. 43</ref>
In 1965–66, two further divisions were raised within the command. After fighting broke out in the [[Rann of Kutch]] in April 1965, a hastily constituted force, named Kilo Force under Maj. Gen [[P. O. Dunn]] was formed to contain this attack.<ref name="IA"/> Kilo Force was later re-designated as 11 Infantry Division. In September 1965, the operational responsibility for the Barmer sector was given to Southern Command and entrusted to 11 Infantry Division. Delhi and Rajasthan Area, with its Advance Headquarters at Jodhpur, fought in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] under [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]. On 3 November 1966, this formation was re-designated [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th Infantry Division]], under Major General [[J.F.R. Jacob]], and also placed under Southern Command.<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye 2011, p. 43</ref>


==Commanders prior to Independence==
==Structure==
Commanders included:<ref>[http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf Army Commands] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705211343/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf |date=5 July 2015 }}</ref><br>
The command headquarters is located in [[Pune]], Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite web|title=Operational Commands of The Indian Army|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|access-date=4 January 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228041815/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|archive-date=28 February 2010}}</ref> It consists of two corps and two military areas.<ref name="IA"/> The two areas are:- Maharashtra Goa and Gujarat Area (MG&G Area) and the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area)<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p. 18</ref> In 2005, the changes to its jurisdiction area were made when a new South Western Command was established.<ref name="global">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |title=Southern Command |publisher=GlobalSecurity |access-date=2016-01-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124083001/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |archive-date=24 January 2016}}</ref>
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
*1907 – Oct 1908 General [[Archibald Hunter|Sir Archibald Hunter]]  
! colspan="6" |Structure of Southern Command
*Oct 1908 – Oct 1912 General [[Edmund Barrow|Sir Edmund Barrow]]  
|-
*Oct 1912 – Feb 1915 General [[John Nixon (Indian Army officer)|Sir John Nixon]]
! colspan="2" |Corps
*Feb 1915 – 1916 Lieutenant-General [[Robert Scallon|Sir Robert Scallon]]  
!Corps HQ
*Apr 1917 – Nov 1919 Lieutenant-General [[Charles Alexander Anderson|Sir Charles Anderson]]  
!GOC of Corps
*Nov 1919 – 1923 Lieutenant-General [[William Marshall (British Army officer)|Sir William Marshall]]
<small>(Corps Commander)</small>
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
!Assigned Units
*1923 – Mar 1924 Lieutenant-General [[Andrew Skeen|Sir Andrew Skeen]]  
!Unit HQ
*Mar 1924 – Mar 1928 Lieutenant-General [[Harold Bridgwood Walker|Sir Harold Walker]]  
|-
*Mar 1928 – Mar 1932 General [[William Heneker|Sir William Heneker]]
| rowspan="5" |[[File:Konark corps formation sign (cropped).jpg|frameless|124x124px]]
*Mar 1932 – Mar 1936 General [[George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys (British Army officer)|Sir George Jeffreys]]  
| rowspan="5" |[[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]
*Mar 1936 – Oct 1937 Lieutenant-General [[Ivo Vesey|Sir Ivo Vesey]]  
''<small>(Konark Corps)</small>''
*Oct 1937 – Mar 1941 General [[John Brind|Sir John Brind]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]]
*Mar 1941 – Oct 1941 Lieutenant-General [[Thomas Riddell-Webster]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Lieutenant General (India)|Lt Gen]] P. S. Minhas<ref>{{Cite web |agency=TNN|date=Feb 13, 2021 |title=Lt Gen P S Minhas takes charge of Konark Corps {{!}} Jaipur News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/lt-gen-p-s-minhas-takes-charge-of-konark-corps/articleshow/80886600.cms |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
*Oct 1941 – Jun 1942 General [[Brodie Haig|Sir Brodie Haig]]
|[[11th Infantry Division (India)|11 Infantry Division]]
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
|[[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]
*Jun 1942 – Mar 1945 Lieutenant-General [[Noel Beresford-Peirse|Sir Noel Beresford-Peirse]]  
|-
'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
|[[12th Infantry Division (India)|12 RAPID Division]]
*Apr 1945 – 1947 Lieutenant-General [[Rob Lockhart|Sir Rob Lockhart]]
|[[Jaisalmer]], Rajasthan
*1947–1948 Lieutenant-General [[Eric Goddard]] (post-independence)
|-
|75 (Independent) Infantry Brigade
|[[Bhuj|Bhuj, Gujarat]]
|-
|4 (Independent) Armoured Brigade
|[[Bathinda|Bhatinda, Punjab]]
|-
|340 (Independent) Mechanized Brigade
|[[Ajmer|Ajmer, Rajasthan]]
|-
|
| colspan="5" |
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[File:Sudarshan Chakra Corps (Cropped).jpg|frameless|124x124px]]
| rowspan="5" |[[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]]
''<small>(Sudarshan Chakra Corps)</small>''
| rowspan="5" |[[Bhopal]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Lieutenant General (India)|Lt Gen]] Dhiraj Seth<ref>{{Cite web |last=Today |first=Telangana |date=2022-02-26 |title=Hyderabad: GOC Sudarshan Chakra Corps reviews operational readiness of Bison Division |url=https://telanganatoday.com/hyderabad-goc-sudarshan-chakra-corps-reviews-operational-readiness-of-bison-division |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=Telangana Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[54th Infantry Division (India)|54 Infantry Division]]
|[[Secunderabad]], Telangana
|-
|[[36th Infantry Division (India)|36 RAPID Division]]
|[[Saugor|Sagar]], Madhya Pradesh
|-
|[[31st Indian Armoured Division|31 Armoured Division]]
|[[Jhansi]], Uttar Pradesh
|-
|41  Artillery Division
|[[Pune]], Maharashtra
|-
|475 Engineering Brigade
|N/A
|-
|
| colspan="5" |
|-
| colspan="4" rowspan="3" |
|Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area
|[[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
|-
|Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, and Kerala Area
|[[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
|-
|617 (Independent) Air Defence Brigade
|[[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]
|}


==Structure==
== Precursors (1907-1948) ==
Today the command headquarters is located at [[Pune Cantonment]] in [[Pune]], Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite web|title=Operational Commands of The Indian Army|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|access-date=4 January 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228041815/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/commands.htm|archive-date=28 February 2010}}</ref> It consists of two corps and two military areas.<ref name="IA"/> The two areas appear to be : one at Mumbai, the Maharashtra Goa and Gujarat Area (MG&G Area), responsible for those states; and one at Chennai, the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area) responsible for Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p. 18</ref>
Following is the List of precursors to the Northern Command and their commanders:<ref>[http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf Army Commands] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705211343/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf|date=5 July 2015}}</ref>
 
=== Southern Command (1907-1908) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="5" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Rank
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" |Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 300px;" |Unit of commission
|-
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|[[Archibald Hunter|Sir Archibald Hunter]]
|June 1907
|October 1908
|[[King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)|4th (King's Own Royal) Regiment of Foot]]
|}
 
=== Southern Army (1908-1920) ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="5" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Rank
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" |Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 300px;" |Unit of commission
|-
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|[[Edmund Barrow|Sir Edmund G. Barrow]]
|October 1908
|October 1912
|[[102nd Regiment of Foot|102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers)]]
|-
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|[[John Nixon (Indian Army officer)|Sir John E. Nixon]]
|October 1912
|February 1915
|[[75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot]]
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Robert Scallon|Sir Robert I. Scallon]]
|February 1915
|1916
|[[72nd Regiment, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders|72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot]]
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Charles Alexander Anderson|Sir Charles A. Anderson]]
|April 1917
|November 1919
|[[Royal Horse Artillery]]
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[William Marshall (British Army officer)|Sir William R. Marshall]]
|November 1919
|1920
|[[Sherwood Foresters]]
|}


The Southern Command encompasses nine states and four union territories which covers about 40% of [[India]].<ref name="IA"/>
=== Southern Command (1920-1942) ===
In 2005, some changes to the command's boundaries were made when a new South Western Command was established.<ref name=global>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |title=Southern Command |publisher=GlobalSecurity |access-date=2016-01-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124083001/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/southcom.htm |archive-date=24 January 2016}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="5" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command'''
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Rank
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" |Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" |Unit of commission
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[William Marshall (British Army officer)|Sir William R. Marshall]]
|1920
|December 1923
|[[Sherwood Foresters]]
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Andrew Skeen|Sir Andrew Skeen]]
|December 1923
|March 1924
|[[King's Own Scottish Borderers]]
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Harold Bridgwood Walker|Sir Harold B. Walker]]
|March 1924
|March 1928
|[[Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry]]
|-
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|[[William Heneker|Sir William C. G. Heneker]]
|March 1928
|March 1932
|[[Connaught Rangers]]
|-
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|[[George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys (British Army officer)|Sir George D. Jeffreys]]
|March 1932
|March 1936
|[[Grenadier Guards]]
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Ivo Vesey|Sir Ivo L. B. Vesey]]
|March 1936
|October 1937
|[[Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)|Queen's Royal Regiment]]
|-
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|[[John Brind|Sir John E. S. Brind]]
|October 1937
|March 1941
|[[Royal Artillery]]
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Thomas Riddell-Webster|Thomas S. Riddell-Webster]]
|March 1941
|October 1941
|[[Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)]]
|-
|[[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
|[[Brodie Haig|Sir Brodie Haig]]
|October 1941
|June 1942
|[[24th Punjabis]]
|}


Its components include:<ref name=global/>
=== Southern Army (1942-1945) ===
*
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
* '''[[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]''', headquartered at [[Jodhpur]], Rajasthan<ref>Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p.28</ref>
! colspan="5" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
**[[4th Armoured Brigade (India)|4th Armoured Brigade]]
|-
**[[340th Mechanized Brigade (India)|340th Mechanized Brigade]]
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Rank
**[[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Ahmedabad]], Gujarat
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" |Name
**[[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th RAPID]] headquartered at [[Jaisalmer]], Rajasthan
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Assumed office
* '''[[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]]''', headquartered at [[Bhopal]], Madhya Pradesh
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Left office
**41 Artillery Division headquartered at [[Pune]], Maharashtra. The division includes 97 Artillery Brigade,<ref>[http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/jun15-08/h15.html Armed Forces] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721174108/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/jun15-08/h15.html |date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> may include 98 Artillery Brigade.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/times-of-india-the/mi_8012/is_20080104/army-cycle-mission-cover-20/ai_n39473483/ Army cycle mission to cover 20 forts], [[Times of India]], 4 January 2008</ref>
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" |Unit of commission
**[[31st Indian Armoured Division|31st Armoured Division]] headquartered at [[Jhansi]], Uttar Pradesh
|-
**[[36th Infantry Division (India)|36th RAPID]] headquartered at [[Saugor]], Madhya Pradesh
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
**[[54th Infantry Division (India)|54th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Secunderabad]], Telangana
|[[Noel Beresford-Peirse|Sir Noel M. de la P. Beresford-Peirse]]
**Artillery brigade
|June 1942
**Air Defence brigade
|March 1945
**475th Engineering Brigade
|[[Royal Artillery]]
*Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area headquartered at [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]<ref>Source for areas' names and headquarters is the Indian Army Southern Command website, accessed August 2010</ref>
|}
*Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala Area headquartered at [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
* 617 Independent [[Air Defence]] Brigade at [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]


== List of Commanders ==
== List of GOC-in-C of Southern Command (1945- present) ==
[[File:Flag of Indian Army Southern Commander.png|thumb|right|355x355px|Flag of Indian Army Southern Commander]]
[[File:Flag of Indian Army Southern Commander.png|thumb|right|233x233px|Flag of Indian Army Southern Commander]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Rank
! colspan="6" |'''General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army'''
!Name
|-
!Appointment Date
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Rank
!Left Office
! scope="col" style="width: 250px;" |Name
!Unit of Commission
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Assumed office
!References
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" |Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" |Unit of commission
!Ref
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Rob Lockhart|Sir Rob McG. M Lockhart]]
|April 1945
|15 August 1947
|[[51st Sikhs (Frontier Force)|51st Sikhs]]
|
|-
|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
|[[Eric Goddard|Eric N. Goddard]]
|15 August 1947
|1 May 1948
|[[107th Pioneers]]
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 116: Line 296:
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[S. M. Shrinagesh|S M Shrinagesh]]
|[[S. M. Shrinagesh|Satyawant M. Shrinagesh]]
|17 January 1953
|17 January 1953
|14 May 1955
|14 May 1955
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]] <br/>(presently [[Kumaon Regiment]])
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]]  
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K S Thimayya]]
|[[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|K. S. Thimayya]]
|15 May 1955
|15 May 1955
|14 September 1956
|14 September 1956
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]]<br/>(presently [[Kumaon Regiment]])
|[[19th Hyderabad Regiment]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 141: Line 321:
|19 November 1962
|19 November 1962
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|<ref>{{cite book|last=Praval|first=Major K.C.|title=Indian Army After Independence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DdxDcxj_wn4C&pg=RA1-PT301|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=978-1-935501-61-9|page=1}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite book |last=Praval |first=Major K.C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DdxDcxj_wn4C&pg=RA1-PT301 |title=Indian Army After Independence |year=1987 |publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC |isbn=978-1-935501-61-9 |page=1}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 162: Line 342:
|14 January 1973
|14 January 1973
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html|title=Gopal Gurunath Bewoor|access-date=17 January 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204210425/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html|archive-date=4 December 2007}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Gopal Gurunath Bewoor |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204210425/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army11.html |archive-date=4 December 2007 |access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 179: Line 359:
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|A M Vohra
|A. M. Vohra
|20 January 1977
|20 January 1977
|30 May 1979
|30 May 1979
Line 186: Line 366:
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|A N Mathur
|A. N. Mathur
|31 May 1979
|31 May 1979
|29 June 1980
|29 June 1980
Line 193: Line 373:
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|R D Hira
|R. D. Hira
|30 June 1980
|30 June 1980
|31 August 1981
|31 August 1981
Line 204: Line 384:
|30 November 1984
|30 November 1984
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]
|[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/as-gen-arun-shridhar-vaidya-retires-indian-army-reshuffles-to-appoint-new-army-chief/1/353964.html|title=As Gen Arun Shridhar Vaidya retires, Indian Army reshuffles to appoint new army chief|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=As Gen Arun Shridhar Vaidya retires, Indian Army reshuffles to appoint new army chief |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/as-gen-arun-shridhar-vaidya-retires-indian-army-reshuffles-to-appoint-new-army-chief/1/353964.html |access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 221: Line 401:
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|A K Chatterjee
|A. K. Chatterjee
|1 March 1988
|1 March 1988
|31 May 1990
|31 May 1990
Line 232: Line 412:
|14 August 1992
|14 August 1992
|[[64 Cavalry]]
|[[64 Cavalry]]
|<ref name=":1">{{cite book|last1=Abidi|first1=S. Sartaj Alam|last2=Sharma|first2=Satinder|title=Services Chiefs of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k35_SlDMyUsC&pg=PA85|year=2007|publisher=Northern Book Centre|isbn=978-81-7211-162-5|page=85}}</ref>
|<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last1=Abidi |first1=S. Sartaj Alam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k35_SlDMyUsC&pg=PA85 |title=Services Chiefs of India |last2=Sharma |first2=Satinder |publisher=Northern Book Centre |year=2007 |isbn=978-81-7211-162-5 |page=85}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|A S Kalkat
|A. S. Kalkat
|15 August 1992
|15 August 1992
|31 December 1993
|31 December 1993
Line 256: Line 436:
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|H M Khanna
|H. M. Khanna
|1 September 1996
|1 September 1996
|3 January 1999
|3 January 1999
Line 267: Line 447:
|30 September 2000
|30 September 2000
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|[[Regiment of Artillery]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm|title=rediff.com: Lt Gen Sundararajan Padmanabhan to be next army chief|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153709/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm|archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=rediff.com: Lt Gen Sundararajan Padmanabhan to be next army chief |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153709/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/aug/01josy.htm |archive-date=24 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 274: Line 454:
|31 September 2001
|31 September 2001
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015160419/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm|archive-date=15 October 2008}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015160419/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021101/main3.htm |archive-date=15 October 2008 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=www.tribuneindia.com}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 281: Line 461:
|29 February 2004
|29 February 2004
|[[Regiment of Artillery|7 Field Regiment]]
|[[Regiment of Artillery|7 Field Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/lt-gen-gs-sihota-retires-on-feb-29/articleshow/526234.cms|title=Lt Gen GS Sihota retires on Feb 29|date=2004-02-28|access-date=2021-06-24}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |date=2004-02-28 |title=Lt Gen GS Sihota retires on Feb 29 |website=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/lt-gen-gs-sihota-retires-on-feb-29/articleshow/526234.cms |access-date=2021-06-24}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 288: Line 468:
|31 January 2006
|31 January 2006
|[[Poona Horse]]
|[[Poona Horse]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm|title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Army's Southern Command chief visits OTA in city|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226060702/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=2005-11-04|archive-date=26 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123006850500.htm|website=[[The Hindu]]|title=Tamil Nadu News : Army took six hours to get ready for relief|date=2004-12-30|access-date=2017-10-26}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=India Who's who|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=woJmAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=INFA Publications}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-11-04 |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Army's Southern Command chief visits OTA in city |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226060702/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110416640500.htm |archive-date=26 February 2008 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-12-30 |title=Tamil Nadu News : Army took six hours to get ready for relief |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123006850500.htm |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=woJmAAAAMAAJ |title=India Who's who |publisher=INFA Publications |year=2004}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 295: Line 475:
|30 September 2007
|30 September 2007
|[[9th Deccan Horse]]
|[[9th Deccan Horse]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html|title=LT. GEN. ADITYA SINGH PVSM, AVSM** (RETD)|website=www.delhipolicygroup.org|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125752/http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html|title=Lt Gen HS Lidder new CIDS|work=oneindia.com|access-date=2017-10-26|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125944/https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=LT. GEN. ADITYA SINGH PVSM, AVSM** (RETD) |url=http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125752/http://www.delhipolicygroup.org/faculty/lt-gen-aditya-singh-pvsm-avsm-retd.html |archive-date=27 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=www.delhipolicygroup.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lt Gen HS Lidder new CIDS |language=en |work=oneindia.com |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125944/https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/02/lt-gen-hs-lidder-new-cids-1141380703.html |archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 302: Line 482:
|31 December 2008
|31 December 2008
|[[Bombay Sappers]]
|[[Bombay Sappers]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687|title=Lt Gen ML Naidu to be next Vcoas : other Senior Appointments also announced|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029204510/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687|archive-date=29 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm|title=Sainik Samchar 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125611/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen ML Naidu to be next Vcoas : other Senior Appointments also announced |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029204510/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=30687 |archive-date=29 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sainik Samchar 2007 |url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125611/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2007/oct01-07/h12.htm |archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 309: Line 489:
|28 February 2011
|28 February 2011
|[[20 Lancers (India)|20 Lancers]]
|[[20 Lancers (India)|20 Lancers]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744|title='Ekuverin-09' Indo-Maldivian troops joint exercise concludes|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2017-10-27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093113/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744|archive-date=28 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title='Ekuverin-09' Indo-Maldivian troops joint exercise concludes |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093113/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=53744 |archive-date=28 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-27 |website=pib.nic.in}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[A. K. Singh]]
|[[A. K. Singh|Ajay Kumar Singh]]
|1 March 2011
|1 March 2011
|31 January 2013
|31 January 2013
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|[[7th Light Cavalry]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Lt-Gen-A-K-Singh-is-new-GOC-in-C-of-Southern-Command/articleshow/7599012.cms|title=Lt Gen A K Singh is new GOC-in-C of Southern Command – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/|title=Lt Gen A K Singh to head Southern Army Command|date=2011-03-01|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-26|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125748/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lt Gen A K Singh is new GOC-in-C of Southern Command – Times of India |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Lt-Gen-A-K-Singh-is-new-GOC-in-C-of-Southern-Command/articleshow/7599012.cms |access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-03-01 |title=Lt Gen A K Singh to head Southern Army Command |language=en-US |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/ |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125748/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-a-k-singh-to-head-southern-army-command/ |archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 323: Line 503:
|31 December 2015
|31 December 2015
|[[Brigade of the Guards|7 Guards]]
|[[Brigade of the Guards|7 Guards]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713/|title=Lt Gen Ashok Singh takes over as Southern Army commander – Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527073637/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713|archive-date=27 May 2014}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lt Gen Ashok Singh takes over as Southern Army commander – Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527073637/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lt-gen-ashok-singh-takes-over-as-southern-army-commander/1067713 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |access-date=2017-10-26 |website=archive.indianexpress.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
Line 330: Line 510:
|31 July 2016
|31 July 2016
|[[11 Gorkha Rifles|5/11 Gorkha Rifles]]
|[[11 Gorkha Rifles|5/11 Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/|title=Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander|date=2016-01-02|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-26|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225044152/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/|archive-date=25 December 2016}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-01-02 |title=Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander |language=en-US |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/ |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225044152/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-takes-over-as-new-army-commander/ |archive-date=25 December 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[P M Hariz]]
|[[P M Hariz|P. M. Hariz]]
|1 September 2016
|1 September 2016
|30 November 2017
|30 November 2017
|[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment|Mechanised Infantry]]
|[[Mechanised Infantry Regiment|Mechanised Infantry]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html|title=Lt Gen P.M. Hariz is new chief of Southern Command|last=IANS|date=2016-09-01|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2017-10-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219185917/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html|archive-date=19 December 2016}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=IANS |date=2016-09-01 |title=Lt Gen P.M. Hariz is new chief of Southern Command |work=Business Standard India |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219185917/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lt-gen-p-m-hariz-is-new-chief-of-southern-command-116090101005_1.html |archive-date=19 December 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Dewan Rabindranath Soni|D R Soni]]
|[[Dewan Rabindranath Soni]]
|1 December 2017
|1 December 2017
|1 October 2018
|1 October 2018
|[[Central India Horse]]
|[[Central India Horse]]
|<ref name="The Indian Express">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lt-gen-dr-soni-takes-over-as-chief-of-southern-command-4964165/|title=Lt Gen Soni takes over as chief of Southern Command|date=2017-12-02|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-12-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
|<ref name="The Indian Express">{{Cite news |date=2017-12-02 |title=Lt Gen Soni takes over as chief of Southern Command |language=en-US |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lt-gen-dr-soni-takes-over-as-chief-of-southern-command-4964165/ |access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Satinder Kumar Saini|S K Saini]]
|[[Satinder Kumar Saini]]
|1 October 2018
|1 October 2018
|24 January 2020
|24 January 2020
|[[Jat Regiment]]
|[[Jat Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/headlines/202678-general-sk-saini-new-head-of-southern-command|title=General SK Saini, new head of Southern Command|date=1 October 2018|publisher=Devdiscourse|access-date=1 October 2018}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |date=1 October 2018 |title=General SK Saini, new head of Southern Command |url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/headlines/202678-general-sk-saini-new-head-of-southern-command |access-date=1 October 2018 |publisher=Devdiscourse}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Chandi Prasad Mohanty|C P Mohanty]]
|[[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]]
|30 January 2020
|30 January 2020
|31 January 2021
|31 January 2021
|[[Rajput Regiment]]
|[[Rajput Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m-hindustantimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/m.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/lt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command/story-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15805270697948&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fm.hindustantimes.com%2Fpune-news%2Flt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command%2Fstory-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html%23aoh%3D15805270697948%26referrer%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%26amp_tf%3DFrom%2520%25251%2524s|title=Lt Gen CP Mohanty assumes command of Pune-based Southern Command|website=Hindustan Times|date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |date=31 January 2020 |title=Lt Gen CP Mohanty assumes command of Pune-based Southern Command |url=https://m-hindustantimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/m.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/lt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command/story-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15805270697948&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fm.hindustantimes.com%2Fpune-news%2Flt-gen-cp-mohanty-assumes-command-of-pune-based-southern-command%2Fstory-DDUDrdPqYoSF1hGqGauECO_amp.html%23aoh%3D15805270697948%26referrer%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%26amp_tf%3DFrom%2520%25251%2524s |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Jai Singh Nain]]
|[[Jai Singh Nain]]
|1 February 2021
|1 February 2021
|31 October 2022
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|<ref name="nain" />
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[Ajai Kumar Singh]]
|1 November 2022
|''Incumbent''
|''Incumbent''
|[[Dogra Regiment]]
|[[11th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref name=nain>{{cite web|title=JS Nain army commander southern command |url=https://deccanexpress.co/defence/pune-southern-command-lieutenant-general-js-nain-is-the-new-southern-army-commander-16734/|date=31 January 2021|publisher=Deccan Express|access-date=1 February 2021}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1587395200397168641|title=Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh assumed the command of Southern Command today.|date=2022-11-01|access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref>
|}
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Latest revision as of 00:10, 7 November 2022


Southern Command is a formation of the Indian Army, active since 1895. It has seen action during the integration of several Princely States into modern India, during the 1961 Indian liberation of Goa, and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars. Lieutenant General Jai Singh Nain is the current Southern Army Commander.[1]

Southern Command
IA Southern Command.svg
Southern Command's insignia today.
Active1908–present
Country India
Branch Indian Army
TypeCommand
Garrison/HQPune
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh
Notable
commanders		General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja
General S M Shrinagesh
General K S Thimayya
General Pran Nath Thapar
General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri
General Gopal Gurunath Bewoor
General Om Prakash Malhotra
General Bipin Chandra Joshi
General Ved Prakash Malik
General Sundararajan Padmanabhan
General Nirmal Chander Vij
General Bipin Rawat

HistoryEdit

Early historyEdit

The Presidency armies were abolished with effect from 1 April 1895 when the three Presidency armies became the Indian Army.[2] The Indian Army was divided into four Commands (Bengal Command, Bombay Command, Madras Command and Punjab Command) each under a lieutenant general.[2]

In 1908, the four commands were merged into two Armies (Northern Army and Southern Army): this system persisted until 1920 when the arrangement reverted to four commands again (Eastern Command, Northern Command, Southern Command and Western Command).[2] In 1914, the Southern Army consisted of the 4th (Quetta) Division, the 5th (Mhow) Division, the 6th (Poona) Division, the 9th (Secunderabad) Division, and the Aden Brigade.[3]

Second World WarEdit

During the Second World War, Southern Command was reformed as Southern Army (equivalent to a corps) in April 1942. The formation reverted to the title Southern Command in November 1945.[4]

Component divisions included:[5]

Component brigades included:[5]

Post warEdit

In August 1947, Southern Command had the Deccan, Madras and Bombay Areas (with HQs at Kamptee, Madras and Bombay). In 1947–48, Southern Command was largely responsible in getting Junagadh and Hyderabad to sign the instrument of accession to India.[2] 1st Armoured Division did the actual incursion into Hyderabad. In 1961, the Indian annexation of Goa was conducted by 17th Infantry Division and 50th Parachute Brigade, under the operational control of Southern Command.[6]

In 1965–66, two further divisions were raised within the command. After fighting broke out in the Rann of Kutch in April 1965, a hastily constituted force, named Kilo Force under Maj. Gen P. O. Dunn was formed to contain this attack.[2] Kilo Force was later re-designated as 11 Infantry Division. In September 1965, the operational responsibility for the Barmer sector was given to Southern Command and entrusted to 11 Infantry Division. Delhi and Rajasthan Area, with its Advance Headquarters at Jodhpur, fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 under Western Command. On 3 November 1966, this formation was re-designated 12th Infantry Division, under Major General J.F.R. Jacob, and also placed under Southern Command.[7]

StructureEdit

The command headquarters is located in Pune, Maharashtra.[8] It consists of two corps and two military areas.[2] The two areas are:- Maharashtra Goa and Gujarat Area (MG&G Area) and the Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala Area (ATNK&K Area)[9] In 2005, the changes to its jurisdiction area were made when a new South Western Command was established.[10]

Structure of Southern Command
Corps Corps HQ GOC of Corps

(Corps Commander)

Assigned Units Unit HQ
  XII Corps

(Konark Corps)

Jodhpur, Rajasthan Lt Gen P. S. Minhas[11] 11 Infantry Division Ahmedabad, Gujarat
12 RAPID Division Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
75 (Independent) Infantry Brigade Bhuj, Gujarat
4 (Independent) Armoured Brigade Bhatinda, Punjab
340 (Independent) Mechanized Brigade Ajmer, Rajasthan
  XXI Corps

(Sudarshan Chakra Corps)

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth[12] 54 Infantry Division Secunderabad, Telangana
36 RAPID Division Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
31 Armoured Division Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
41 Artillery Division Pune, Maharashtra
475 Engineering Brigade N/A
Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa Area Mumbai, Maharashtra
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,

Karnataka, and Kerala Area

Chennai, Tamil Nadu
617 (Independent) Air Defence Brigade Pune, Maharashtra

Precursors (1907-1948)Edit

Following is the List of precursors to the Northern Command and their commanders:[13]

Southern Command (1907-1908)Edit

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command
Rank Name Assumed office Left office Unit of commission
General Sir Archibald Hunter June 1907 October 1908 4th (King's Own Royal) Regiment of Foot

Southern Army (1908-1920)Edit

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army
Rank Name Assumed office Left office Unit of commission
General Sir Edmund G. Barrow October 1908 October 1912 102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers)
General Sir John E. Nixon October 1912 February 1915 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot
Lieutenant General Sir Robert I. Scallon February 1915 1916 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot
Lieutenant General Sir Charles A. Anderson April 1917 November 1919 Royal Horse Artillery
Lieutenant General Sir William R. Marshall November 1919 1920 Sherwood Foresters

Southern Command (1920-1942)Edit

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command
Rank Name Assumed office Left office Unit of commission
Lieutenant General Sir William R. Marshall 1920 December 1923 Sherwood Foresters
Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Skeen December 1923 March 1924 King's Own Scottish Borderers
Lieutenant General Sir Harold B. Walker March 1924 March 1928 Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
General Sir William C. G. Heneker March 1928 March 1932 Connaught Rangers
General Sir George D. Jeffreys March 1932 March 1936 Grenadier Guards
Lieutenant General Sir Ivo L. B. Vesey March 1936 October 1937 Queen's Royal Regiment
General Sir John E. S. Brind October 1937 March 1941 Royal Artillery
Lieutenant General Thomas S. Riddell-Webster March 1941 October 1941 Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
General Sir Brodie Haig October 1941 June 1942 24th Punjabis

Southern Army (1942-1945)Edit

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army
Rank Name Assumed office Left office Unit of commission
Lieutenant General Sir Noel M. de la P. Beresford-Peirse June 1942 March 1945 Royal Artillery

List of GOC-in-C of Southern Command (1945- present)Edit

 
Flag of Indian Army Southern Commander
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Army
Rank Name Assumed office Left office Unit of commission Ref
Lieutenant General Sir Rob McG. M Lockhart April 1945 15 August 1947 51st Sikhs
Lieutenant General Eric N. Goddard 15 August 1947 1 May 1948 107th Pioneers
Lieutenant General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja 1 May 1948 14 January 1953 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
Lieutenant General Satyawant M. Shrinagesh 17 January 1953 14 May 1955 19th Hyderabad Regiment
Lieutenant General K. S. Thimayya 15 May 1955 14 September 1956 19th Hyderabad Regiment
Lieutenant General Pran Nath Thapar 21 January 1957 24 May 1959 1st Punjab Regiment
Lieutenant General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri 25 May 1959 19 November 1962 7th Light Cavalry [14]
Lieutenant General Lionel Protip Sen 10 May 1963 7 May 1965 10th Baluch Regiment
Lieutenant General Moti Sagar 8 May 1965 3 July 1969 4 Gorkha Rifles
Lieutenant General Gopal Gurunath Bewoor 4 July 1969 14 January 1973 Dogra Regiment [15]
Lieutenant General Sartaj Singh 27 January 1973 31 July 1974 Regiment of Artillery
Lieutenant General Om Prakash Malhotra 1 August 1974 19 January 1977 Regiment of Artillery
Lieutenant General A. M. Vohra 20 January 1977 30 May 1979 3 Gorkha Rifles
Lieutenant General A. N. Mathur 31 May 1979 29 June 1980 Corps of Signals
Lieutenant General R. D. Hira 30 June 1980 31 August 1981 9 Gorkha Rifles
Lieutenant General Tirath Singh Oberoi 1 September 1981 30 November 1984 Parachute Regiment [16]
Lieutenant General Ranjit Singh Dyal 14 February 1985 30 November 1986 Parachute Regiment [16]
Lieutenant General Depinder Singh 1 December 1986 29 November 1988 8 Gorkha Rifles
Lieutenant General A. K. Chatterjee 1 March 1988 31 May 1990 Sikh Light Infantry
Lieutenant General Bipin Chandra Joshi 1 June 1990 14 August 1992 64 Cavalry [17]
Lieutenant General A. S. Kalkat 15 August 1992 31 December 1993 8 Gorkha Rifles
Lieutenant General Moti Dar 1 January 1994 16 July 1995 Poona Horse
Lieutenant General Ved Prakash Malik 17 July 1995 31 August 1996 Sikh Light Infantry [17]
Lieutenant General H. M. Khanna 1 September 1996 3 January 1999 Gorkha Rifles
Lieutenant General Sundararajan Padmanabhan 4 January 1999 30 September 2000 Regiment of Artillery [18]
Lieutenant General Nirmal Chander Vij 1 October 2000 31 September 2001 Dogra Regiment [19]
Lieutenant General Gurbaksh Singh Sihota 9 October 2001 29 February 2004 7 Field Regiment [20]
Lieutenant General Balraj Singh Takhar 1 March 2004 31 January 2006 Poona Horse [21][22][23]
Lieutenant General Aditya Singh 1 March 2006 30 September 2007 9th Deccan Horse [24][25]
Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj 1 October 2007 31 December 2008 Bombay Sappers [26][27]
Lieutenant General Pradeep Khanna 1 January 2009 28 February 2011 20 Lancers [28]
Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh 1 March 2011 31 January 2013 7th Light Cavalry [29][30]
Lieutenant General Ashok Singh 1 February 2013 31 December 2015 7 Guards [31]
Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat 1 January 2016 31 July 2016 5/11 Gorkha Rifles [32]
Lieutenant General P. M. Hariz 1 September 2016 30 November 2017 Mechanised Infantry [33]
Lieutenant General Dewan Rabindranath Soni 1 December 2017 1 October 2018 Central India Horse [34]
Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini 1 October 2018 24 January 2020 Jat Regiment [35]
Lieutenant General Chandi Prasad Mohanty 30 January 2020 31 January 2021 Rajput Regiment [36]
Lieutenant General Jai Singh Nain 1 February 2021 31 October 2022 Dogra Regiment [1]
Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh 1 November 2022 Incumbent 11th Gorkha Rifles [37]

NotesEdit

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "JS Nain army commander southern command". Deccan Express. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Northern Command". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  3. ↑ "THE INDIAN ARMY 1914". Orbat.com. 25 March 2001. Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Southern Army". OOB.com. Retrieved 11 October 2009.[permanent dead link]
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Southern Army Subordinates". OOB.com. Retrieved 11 October 2009.[permanent dead link]
  6. ↑ Pillarisetti, Jagan. "The Liberation of Goa: 1961". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 5 October 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Renaldi and Rikhye 2011, p. 43
  8. ↑ "Operational Commands of The Indian Army". Archived from the original on 28 February 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  9. ↑ Renaldi and Rikhye, 2011, p. 18
  10. ↑ "Southern Command". GlobalSecurity. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  11. ↑ "Lt Gen P S Minhas takes charge of Konark Corps | Jaipur News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  12. ↑ Today, Telangana (26 February 2022). "Hyderabad: GOC Sudarshan Chakra Corps reviews operational readiness of Bison Division". Telangana Today. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  13. ↑ Army Commands Archived 5 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ Praval, Major K.C. (1987). Indian Army After Independence. Lancer Publishers LLC. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-935501-61-9.
  15. ↑ "Gopal Gurunath Bewoor". Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "As Gen Arun Shridhar Vaidya retires, Indian Army reshuffles to appoint new army chief". Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Abidi, S. Sartaj Alam; Sharma, Satinder (2007). Services Chiefs of India. Northern Book Centre. p. 85. ISBN 978-81-7211-162-5.
  18. ↑ "rediff.com: Lt Gen Sundararajan Padmanabhan to be next army chief". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  19. ↑ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News". www.tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  20. ↑ "Lt Gen GS Sihota retires on Feb 29". The Times of India. 28 February 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  21. ↑ "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Army's Southern Command chief visits OTA in city". The Hindu. 4 November 2005. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  22. ↑ "Tamil Nadu News : Army took six hours to get ready for relief". The Hindu. 30 December 2004. Retrieved 26 October 2017.[dead link]
  23. ↑ India Who's who. INFA Publications. 2004.
  24. ↑ "LT. GEN. ADITYA SINGH PVSM, AVSM** (RETD)". www.delhipolicygroup.org. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  25. ↑ "Lt Gen HS Lidder new CIDS". oneindia.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  26. ↑ "Lt Gen ML Naidu to be next Vcoas : other Senior Appointments also announced". pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  27. ↑ "Sainik Samchar 2007". Archived from the original on 27 October 2017.
  28. ↑ "'Ekuverin-09' Indo-Maldivian troops joint exercise concludes". pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  29. ↑ "Lt Gen A K Singh is new GOC-in-C of Southern Command – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  30. ↑ "Lt Gen A K Singh to head Southern Army Command". The Indian Express. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  31. ↑ "Lt Gen Ashok Singh takes over as Southern Army commander – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  32. ↑ "Lt Gen Bipin Rawat takes over as new Army Commander". The Indian Express. 2 January 2016. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  33. ↑ IANS (1 September 2016). "Lt Gen P.M. Hariz is new chief of Southern Command". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 19 December 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  34. ↑ "Lt Gen Soni takes over as chief of Southern Command". The Indian Express. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  35. ↑ "General SK Saini, new head of Southern Command". Devdiscourse. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  36. ↑ "Lt Gen CP Mohanty assumes command of Pune-based Southern Command". Hindustan Times. 31 January 2020.
  37. ↑ "Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh assumed the command of Southern Command today". 1 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

SourcesEdit

  • Rinaldi, Richard; Rikhye, Ravi (2011). Indian Army Order of Battle. General Data. ISBN 978-0982054178.
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