Hira Lal Atal: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Citation bot
Last edited October 26, 2022
Newer edit →
VisualWikitext
>Citation bot
Alter: url. | You can use this bot yourself. Report bugs here. | Suggested by AManWithNoPlan | All pages linked from cached copy of User:AManWithNoPlan/sandbox2 | via #UCB_webform_linked
 
robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Refimprove|date= July 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date= July 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox person <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox person <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name        = Hira Lal Atal
| name        = Hira Lal Atal
| caption    =
| caption    =
| image      =  
| image      =  
| image_size  =
| other names =  
| pseudonym  =
| birth_name =  
| birth_date  = 26 January 1905
| birth_date  = 26 January 1905
| birth_place =  
| birth_place =  
| death_date  = 23 January 1985
| death_date  = 23 January 1985
| death_place =  
| death_place =  
| occupation  = Soldier, writer<ref>{{cite book |last1=Atal |first1=Hiralal |title=Nehru's Emissary to Kashmir: October 1947 |date=1972 |publisher=Army Educational Stores |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MOAPeS1QoCsC&q=hira+lal+atal&dq=hira+lal+atal |language=en}}</ref>
| occupation  = Soldier, writer<ref>{{cite book |last1=Atal |first1=Hiralal |title=Nehru's Emissary to Kashmir: October 1947 |date=1972 |publisher=Army Educational Stores |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MOAPeS1QoCsC&q=hira+lal+atal |language=en}}</ref>
| nationality = Indian
| nationality = Indian
}}
}}
'''Hira Lal Atal''' (26 January 1905 &ndash; 23 January 1985) was an Indian soldier in the British Indian Army from 1925 until 1947 and the Indian Army from 1947.<ref>Sandhu, Gurcham Singh, "I serve ("Ich dien"): Saga of the Eighteenth Cavalry", 1991</ref> He became a [[major general]] and the first indigenous Adjutant General of independent India. He was instrumental in designing the Indian Armed Forces’ highest award for bravery, the [[Param Vir Chakra]].
'''Hira Lal Atal''' (26 January 1905 &ndash; 23 January 1985) was an Indian soldier in the British Indian Army from 1925 until 1947 and the Indian Army from 1947.<ref>Sandhu, Gurcham Singh, "I serve ("Ich dien"): Saga of the Eighteenth Cavalry", 1991</ref> He became a [[Major general (India)|Major General]] and the first indigenous Adjutant General of independent India. He was instrumental in designing the Indian Armed Forces’ highest award for bravery, the [[Param Vir Chakra]].


==Career==
==Career==
===Early years===
===Early years===
Hira Lal Atal attended the Rawlinson Section (renamed the Pratap Section in 1947) of the [[Rashtriya Indian Military College]] RIMC in [[Dehradun]], [[India]]. RIMC was intended to prepare native Indians to take command of the [[British Indian Army]] and was earlier known as the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, which was established in 1921. Hira was the first cadet captain, or head boy. <ref>Page 23, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7023-649-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=An Incredible War: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948 |date=2013 |publisher=KW Publishers Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-85714-65-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m0m6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT56&dq=hira+lal+atal#q=hira%20lal%20atal |language=en}}</ref>  
Hira Lal Atal attended the Rawlinson Section (renamed the Pratap Section in 1947) of the [[Rashtriya Indian Military College]] RIMC in [[Dehradun]], [[India]]. RIMC was intended to prepare native Indians to take command of the [[British Indian Army]] and was earlier known as the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, which was established in 1921. Hira was the first cadet captain, or head boy.<ref>Page 23, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7023-649-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=An Incredible War: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948 |date=2013 |publisher=KW Publishers Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-85714-65-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m0m6DQAAQBAJ&dq=hira+lal+atal&pg=PT56 |language=en}}</ref>


Atal attended Sandhurst and was commissioned a second lieutenant into the Unattached List, Indian Army on 29 January 1925.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}} He was attached to the 1st battalion Gordon Highlanders from 20 March 1925, and appointed to the Indian Army on 31 March 1926, and the [[16th Light Cavalry]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Atal attended Sandhurst and was commissioned a second lieutenant into the Unattached List, Indian Army on 29 January 1925.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} He was attached to the 1st battalion Gordon Highlanders from 20 March 1925, and appointed to the Indian Army on 31 March 1926, and the [[16th Light Cavalry]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}


Atal became a lieutenant on 29 April 1927 and a quarter-master, serving in that post from 3 January 1928 until 1 October 1930. He attended an eight-month course at the Equestrian School, Saugor during 1929 and 1930. He was appointed adjutant on 1 October 1930 until being attached to the Rewa State Forces. He was promoted to captain on 29{{nbs}}January 1934. He was appointed chief of staff 16{{nbs}}February 1935, an appointment he relinquished in 1936. He was attached to the [[15th Lancers]], a training regiment, on 7{{nbs}}September 1937 until being appointed adjutant and quarter-master of the Equestrian School, Saugor on 4{{nbs}}December 1938 until the establishment was closed in September 1939.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Jasbir |title=Roar of the Tiger: Illustrated History of Operations in Kashmir by 4th Battalion The Kumaon Regt in 1965 War |date=2013 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-82573-58-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zwSqCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA13&dq=hira+lal+atal#q=hira%20lal%20atal |language=en}}</ref>
Atal became a lieutenant on 29 April 1927 and a quarter-master, serving in that post from 3 January 1928 until 1 October 1930. He attended an eight-month course at the Equestrian School, Saugor during 1929 and 1930. He was appointed adjutant on 1 October 1930 until being attached to the Rewa State Forces. He was promoted to captain on 29{{nbs}}January 1934. He was appointed chief of staff 16{{nbs}}February 1935, an appointment he relinquished in 1936. He was attached to the [[15th Lancers]], a training regiment, on 7{{nbs}}September 1937 until being appointed adjutant and quarter-master of the Equestrian School, Saugor on 4{{nbs}}December 1938 until the establishment was closed in September 1939.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Jasbir |title=Roar of the Tiger: Illustrated History of Operations in Kashmir by 4th Battalion The Kumaon Regt in 1965 War |date=2013 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-82573-58-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zwSqCQAAQBAJ&dq=hira+lal+atal&pg=PA13 |language=en}}</ref>


===War years===
===War years===


Atal attended the [[Command and Staff College]] in Quetta from 1940 to 1941 and joined the staff from 1941 to 1942.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}} He became a major on 29 January 1942 and by 1943 was serving with the 47th Cavalry, a unit raised in April 1941 and later sent to Kohat as a frontier defense armored-car regiment.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}} It was disbanded in August 1943 and he was sent back to the 16th Light Cavalry. He became an acting [[lieutenant colonel]] on 31 July 1944 and the commanding officer of the [[18th King Edward's Own Cavalry]] until 13 February 1946. He commanded the 2nd Independent Armored Brigade from December 1947 until February 1948. He became a major general and commander of the 1st Armored Division from February 1948 until May 1948. {{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Atal attended the [[Pakistan Command and Staff College|Command and Staff College]] in Quetta from 1940 to 1941 and joined the staff from 1941 to 1942.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} He became a major on 29 January 1942 and by 1943 was serving with the 47th Cavalry, a unit raised in April 1941 and later sent to Kohat as a frontier defense armored-car regiment.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} It was disbanded in August 1943 and he was sent back to the 16th Light Cavalry. He became an acting [[lieutenant colonel]] on 31 July 1944 and the commanding officer of the [[18th King Edward's Own Cavalry]] until 13 February 1946. He commanded the 2nd Independent Armored Brigade from December 1947 until February 1948. He became a major general and commander of the 1st Armored Division from February 1948 until May 1948. {{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}


===Adjutant General===
===Adjutant General===
Atal was the first indigenous Adjutant General of independent India, entrusted by [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] with the responsibility of designing (with [[Savitri Khanolkar]]) the [[Param Vir Chakra]], the Indian equivalent of the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>Page 51, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7023-649-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Ajai |title=The Swiss-born who crafted Param Vir Chakra |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-swiss-born-who-crafted-param-vir-chakra-113072000005_1.html |work=Business Standard India |date=20 July 2013}}</ref>
Atal was the first indigenous Adjutant General of independent India, entrusted by [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] with the responsibility of designing (with [[Savitri Khanolkar]]) the [[Param Vir Chakra]], the Indian equivalent of the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>Page 51, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7023-649-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Ajai |title=The Swiss-born who crafted Param Vir Chakra |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-swiss-born-who-crafted-param-vir-chakra-113072000005_1.html |work=Business Standard India |date=20 July 2022}}</ref>


His brother, K.L. Atal, who went on to win the [[Maha Vir Chakra]],<ref>Page 57, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7023-649-5}}</ref> was also a [[Rimcollians|Rimcollian]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome to RIMC {{!}} Rashtriya Indian Military College |url=http://rimc.gov.in/site/formtemplete/normallayout.aspx?MenuID=0ag0VbDUZ8vtB52+37sU9Q== |work=rimc.gov.in}}</ref>
His brother, K.L. Atal, who went on to win the [[Maha Vir Chakra]],<ref>Page 57, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7023-649-5}}</ref> was also a [[Rimcollians|Rimcollian]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome to RIMC {{!}} Rashtriya Indian Military College |url=http://rimc.gov.in/site/formtemplete/normallayout.aspx?MenuID=0ag0VbDUZ8vtB52+37sU9Q== |work=rimc.gov.in}}</ref>
==Post retirement==
Atal was the Chief Commissioner of [[Tripura]] between 15 February 1955 and 8 November 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rajbhavan.tripura.gov.in/incumbents|title=List of Incumbents, Raj Bhavan, Tripura|access-date=2021-08-08}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 43: Line 44:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Atal, Hira Lal}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atal, Hira Lal}}
[[Category: Rashtriya Indian Military College alumni]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Indian Military College alumni]]
[[Category: People of British India]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:1905 births]]
[[Category:1905 births]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category: Indian Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category: British Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]

Revision as of 07:30, 26 October 2022

Hira Lal Atal
Born26 January 1905
Died23 January 1985
NationalityIndian
OccupationSoldier, writer[1]

Hira Lal Atal (26 January 1905 – 23 January 1985) was an Indian soldier in the British Indian Army from 1925 until 1947 and the Indian Army from 1947.[2] He became a Major General and the first indigenous Adjutant General of independent India. He was instrumental in designing the Indian Armed Forces’ highest award for bravery, the Param Vir Chakra.

Career

Early years

Hira Lal Atal attended the Rawlinson Section (renamed the Pratap Section in 1947) of the Rashtriya Indian Military College RIMC in Dehradun, India. RIMC was intended to prepare native Indians to take command of the British Indian Army and was earlier known as the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, which was established in 1921. Hira was the first cadet captain, or head boy.[3][4]

Atal attended Sandhurst and was commissioned a second lieutenant into the Unattached List, Indian Army on 29 January 1925.[citation needed] He was attached to the 1st battalion Gordon Highlanders from 20 March 1925, and appointed to the Indian Army on 31 March 1926, and the 16th Light Cavalry.[citation needed]

Atal became a lieutenant on 29 April 1927 and a quarter-master, serving in that post from 3 January 1928 until 1 October 1930. He attended an eight-month course at the Equestrian School, Saugor during 1929 and 1930. He was appointed adjutant on 1 October 1930 until being attached to the Rewa State Forces. He was promoted to captain on 29Template:NbsJanuary 1934. He was appointed chief of staff 16Template:NbsFebruary 1935, an appointment he relinquished in 1936. He was attached to the 15th Lancers, a training regiment, on 7Template:NbsSeptember 1937 until being appointed adjutant and quarter-master of the Equestrian School, Saugor on 4Template:NbsDecember 1938 until the establishment was closed in September 1939.[5]

War years

Atal attended the Command and Staff College in Quetta from 1940 to 1941 and joined the staff from 1941 to 1942.[citation needed] He became a major on 29 January 1942 and by 1943 was serving with the 47th Cavalry, a unit raised in April 1941 and later sent to Kohat as a frontier defense armored-car regiment.[citation needed] It was disbanded in August 1943 and he was sent back to the 16th Light Cavalry. He became an acting lieutenant colonel on 31 July 1944 and the commanding officer of the 18th King Edward's Own Cavalry until 13 February 1946. He commanded the 2nd Independent Armored Brigade from December 1947 until February 1948. He became a major general and commander of the 1st Armored Division from February 1948 until May 1948. [citation needed]

Adjutant General

Atal was the first indigenous Adjutant General of independent India, entrusted by Jawaharlal Nehru with the responsibility of designing (with Savitri Khanolkar) the Param Vir Chakra, the Indian equivalent of the Victoria Cross.[6][7]

His brother, K.L. Atal, who went on to win the Maha Vir Chakra,[8] was also a Rimcollian.[9]

Post retirement

Atal was the Chief Commissioner of Tripura between 15 February 1955 and 8 November 1956.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Atal, Hiralal (1972). Nehru's Emissary to Kashmir: October 1947. Army Educational Stores.
  2. ↑ Sandhu, Gurcham Singh, "I serve ("Ich dien"): Saga of the Eighteenth Cavalry", 1991
  3. ↑ Page 23, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, ISBN 81-7023-649-5
  4. ↑ An Incredible War: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948: IAF in Kashmir War 1947-1948. KW Publishers Pvt Ltd. 2013. ISBN 978-93-85714-65-8.
  5. ↑ Singh, Jasbir (2013). Roar of the Tiger: Illustrated History of Operations in Kashmir by 4th Battalion The Kumaon Regt in 1965 War. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-82573-58-6.
  6. ↑ Page 51, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, ISBN 81-7023-649-5
  7. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (20 July 2022). "The Swiss-born who crafted Param Vir Chakra". Business Standard India.
  8. ↑ Page 57, Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College, By Bikram Singh, Sidharth Mishra, Contributor Rashtriya Indian Military College, Published 1997, Allied Publishers, ISBN 81-7023-649-5
  9. ↑ "Welcome to RIMC | Rashtriya Indian Military College". rimc.gov.in.
  10. ↑ "List of Incumbents, Raj Bhavan, Tripura". Retrieved 8 August 2021.

Notes

  • London Gazette (various dates)
  • Indian Army List (various dates)
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hira_Lal_Atal&oldid=364893"
Discover more