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{{short description|Indian army soldier (1941–1962)}}
{{short description|Indian army soldier (1941–1962)}}
{{other uses|Jaswant Singh (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
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| honorific_suffix = [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]]
| honorific_suffix = [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]]
| image        = Martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat.jpg
| image        = Martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat.jpg
| caption      = Martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat
| caption      = Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat
| birth_date    = {{birth date|df=yes|1941|08|19}}
| birth_date    = {{birth date|df=yes|1941|08|19}}
| birth_place  = Baryun, [[Garhwal District]], [[United Provinces (1937–50)|United Provinces]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br>{{small|(present-day [[Chamoli district]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]])}}
| birth_place  = [[Dhumakot]],  
[[Pauri]] [[Garhwal division|Garhwal]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date    = {{death date and age|df=yes|1962|11|17|1941|08|19}}
| death_date    = {{death date and age|df=yes|1962|11|17|1941|08|19}}
| death_place  = [[Nuranang Falls|Nuranang]], [[North-East Frontier Agency]], [[India]]<br>{{small|(present-day [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[India]])}}
| death_place  = [[Nuranang Falls|Nuranang]], [[North-East Frontier Agency]], [[India]]<br>{{small|(present-day [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[India]])}}
| branch        = {{army|India}}
| branch        = {{army|India}}
| allegiance    = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| allegiance    = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| rank          = [[Rifleman]]
| rank          = [[Captain]] (Honorary)
| unit          = 4th [[Garhwal Rifles]]
| unit          = 4th [[Garhwal Rifles]]
| serviceyears  = 1
| serviceyears  = 1961–62
| battles      = [[Sino-Indian War]]
| battles      = [[Sino-Indian War]]{{KIA}}
| awards        = [[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]]
| awards        = [[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]]
}}
}}
[[Rifleman]] '''Jaswant Singh Rawat''', [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] (19 August 1941 – 17 November 1962) was an [[Indian Army]] soldier serving in the [[Garhwal Rifles]] who was awarded the prestigious [[Maha Vir Chakra]] posthumously as a result of his actions during the battle of Nuranang in present-day [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[India]], during the [[Sino-Indian War]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-13|title=72 Hours: A Movie On Jaswant Singh, The Man Who Saved Arunachal Pradesh From The Chinese but he died....|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/the-heroic-story-of-jaswant-singh-the-man-who-saved-arunachal-pradesh-from-the-chinese-army-247929.html|access-date=2020-07-12|website=IndiaTimes|language=en-IN}}</ref>
[[Rifleman]] '''Jaswant Singh Rawat''', [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] (19 August 1941– 17 November 1962) was an Indian soldier and a posthumous recipient of the prestigious [[Maha Vir Chakra]] of which he was awarded for his actions of valor during the Battle of Nuranang in the [[Sino-Indian War]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-13|title=72 Hours: A Movie On Jaswant Singh, The Man Who Saved Arunachal Pradesh From The Chinese but he died....|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/the-heroic-story-of-jaswant-singh-the-man-who-saved-arunachal-pradesh-from-the-chinese-army-247929.html|access-date=2020-07-12|website=IndiaTimes|language=en-IN}}</ref>


==Sino-Indian War==
==Sino-Indian War: Battle of Nuranang==
[[File:Jaswant Garh War Memorial.JPG|thumb|Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Jaswantgarh, Arunachal Pradesh|220x220px|alt=|left]]
{{anchor | Nuranang | Battle | War | Battle of Nuranang }}
The [[Rifleman]] Jaswant Singh Rawat was serving in the 4th battalion, 4th [[Garhwal Rifles]] on 17 November 1962 during the Battle of [[Nuranang Falls|Nuranang]], in the [[North-East Frontier Agency]] (now [[Arunachal Pradesh]]). On that day, the 4th Garhwal Rifles had beaten back two [[People's Liberation Army]] charges on their position. During a third intrusion, a Chinese [[medium machine gun]] (MMG) had come close to the Indian defenses and was firing accurately at their positions. [[Rifleman]] Jaswant Singh Rawat, along with [[Lance Naik]] Trilok Singh Negi and [[Rifleman]] Gopal Singh Gusain volunteered to subdue the MMG.<ref>{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=2019-11-18|title=War heroes of 1962 Sino-Indian war remembered on Nuranang Day|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/war-heroes-of-1962-sino-indian-war-remembered-on-nuranang-day-119111801674_1.html|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=author|title=Heroes of 1962 war in Arunachal: Battle of Nuranang {{!}} The Arunachal Times|url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2019/12/22/heroes-of-1962-war-in-arunachal-battle-of-nuranang/|access-date=2021-07-12|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-07|title=The Story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat: The Hero Of Nauranang|url=http://www.scrolldroll.com/the-story-of-rifleman-jaswant-singh-rawat/|access-date=2021-07-12|website=Stories for the Youth!|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat MVC {{!}} Honourpoint|date=17 November 1962 |url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/rifleman-jashwant-singh-rawat-mvc/|access-date=2021-07-12|language=en-US}}</ref>


Rawat and Gusain, aided by covering fire from Negi closed within a grenade-throwing distance of the machine gun position and neutralized the Chinese detachment of five sentries, seizing the MMG in the process. However, while returning, Gusain and Negi lost their lives and Rawat was seriously injured, although he managed to return with the captured weapon. The battle resulted in 300 Chinese casualties, whereas the 4th Garhwal Rifles lost two men and had eight wounded.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947|last=Col J Francis (Retd)|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|date=30 August 2013|isbn=9789382652175|pages=53}}</ref>
{{see also|Battle of Galwan|l1=Battle of Galwan|Dhan Singh Thapa#Battle_of_Pangong|l2=Battle of Pangong|Battle of Rezang La|l3=Battle of Rezang La|Gurung Hill#1962|l4=Battle of Gurung Hill|Jaswant Singh Rawat#Nuranang|l5=Battle of Nuranang & Sela Pass}}


Rawat's company eventually decided to withdraw, but Rawat remained and kept up the fight with the help of two local girls named Sela and Noora. Later, Sela was killed and Noora captured. Rushing from position to position, Rawat held off the enemy for 72 hours until the Chinese captured a local supplier, who told them that they were facing only one fighter. The Chinese then stormed Rawat's position, but the exact details of his death are unclear. Some accounts claim that Rawat shot himself with his last round of ammunition; others state that he was taken prisoner and executed by the Chinese. The Chinese commander returned Rawat's severed head and a brass bust of him to India after the war was over.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Army's 'Immortal' soldier Jaswant Singh Rawat, on duty even after being martyred|url=https://indiannewsweekly.com/2021/10/21/indian-armys-immortal-soldier-jaswant-singh-rawat-on-duty-even-after-being-martyred/|date=2021-10-21|access-date=2022-05-21|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Jaswant Garh War Memorial.JPG|thumb|220x220px|alt=|left|Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Jaswantgarh, Arunachal Pradesh.]]


The bravery shown by Jaswant Rawat was honored by building a memorial at the post where he fended off the [[People's Liberation Army]]
During the '''Battle of [[Nuranang Falls|Nuranang]]''' on 17 November 1962 in the [[North-East Frontier Agency]] (now [[Arunachal Pradesh]]), the [[Rifleman]] Jaswant Singh Rawat was serving in the 4th battalion of 4th [[Garhwal Rifles]] regiment. On that day, the 4th Garhwal Rifles had beaten back two [[People's Liberation Army]] charges on their position. During a third intrusion, a Chinese [[medium machine gun]] (MMG) had come close to the Indian defenses and was firing accurately at their positions. Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, along with '''[[Lance Naik]] Trilok Singh Negi''' and '''Rifleman Gopal Singh Gusain''' volunteered to subdue the MMG.<ref>{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=2019-11-18|title=War heroes of 1962 Sino-Indian war remembered on Nuranang Day|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/war-heroes-of-1962-sino-indian-war-remembered-on-nuranang-day-119111801674_1.html|access-date=2021-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=author|title=Heroes of 1962 war in Arunachal: Battle of Nuranang {{!}} The Arunachal Times|url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2019/12/22/heroes-of-1962-war-in-arunachal-battle-of-nuranang/|access-date=2021-07-12|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-07|title=The Story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat: The Hero Of Nauranang|url=http://www.scrolldroll.com/the-story-of-rifleman-jaswant-singh-rawat/|access-date=2021-07-12|website=Stories for the Youth!|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat MVC {{!}} Honourpoint|date=17 November 1962 |url=https://www.honourpoint.in/profile/rifleman-jashwant-singh-rawat-mvc/|access-date=2021-07-12|language=en-US}}</ref> Rawat and Gusain, aided by covering fire from Negi closed within a grenade-throwing distance of the machine gun position and neutralized the Chinese detachment of five sentries, seizing the MMG in the process. However, while returning, Gusain and Negi lost their lives and Rawat was seriously injured, although he managed to return with the captured weapon. The battle resulted in 300 Chinese casualties, whereas the 4th Garhwal Rifles lost two men and had eight wounded.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947|last=Col J Francis (Retd)|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|date=30 August 2013|isbn=9789382652175|pages=53}}</ref>


. The post which he held was named "Jaswant Garh".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/139091/not-china-alone-renamed-places-tawang/|title=When It Comes to Renaming Places in Tawang, China Is Not Alone|last=Pisharoty|first=Sangeeta Barooah|website=thewire.in|language=en-GB|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2019/12/22/heroes-of-1962-war-in-arunachal-battle-of-nuranang/|title=Heroes of 1962 War in Arunachal, Battle of Nuranang|date=22 December 2019|author=M Panging Pao}}</ref> Another honor bestowed upon him is that he continues to serve even after death; he has been awarded promotions as if he is still serving.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas|last=Talbot|first=Ian|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2016|isbn=978-0300216592}}</ref>
{{anchor | Sela | Nura | Noora }}
Rawat's company eventually decided to fall back, but Rawat remained and kept up the fight with the help of two [[Bomdila#Demographics|local]] [[Monpa people|Monpa]] girls named '''[[Sela Tunnel|Sela]]''' and '''[[Nuranang Falls#Nura|Nura]]''' ('''Noora'''). Later, Sela was killed and Noora captured. Rushing from position to position, Rawat held off the enemy for 72 hours until the Chinese captured a local supplier, who told them that they were facing only one fighter. The Chinese then stormed Rawat's position, but the exact details of his death are unclear. Some accounts claim that Rawat shot himself with his last round of ammunition; others state that he was taken prisoner and executed by the Chinese. The Chinese commander returned Rawat's severed head and a brass bust of him to India after the war was over.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Army's 'Immortal' soldier Jaswant Singh Rawat, on duty even after being martyred|url=https://indiannewsweekly.com/2021/10/21/indian-armys-immortal-soldier-jaswant-singh-rawat-on-duty-even-after-being-martyred/|date=2021-10-21|access-date=2022-05-21|language=en|archive-date=17 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017180555/https://indiannewsweekly.com/2021/10/21/indian-armys-immortal-soldier-jaswant-singh-rawat-on-duty-even-after-being-martyred/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Sela Pass]], [[Sela Tunnel]] and Sela Lake were named after Sela in commemoration of her actions.<ref name=selajas1>[https://www.bhaskar.com/db-original/news/china-vs-india-sela-tunnel-project-narendra-modi-govt-infrastructure-development-130768317.html जसवंत-सेला शहीद न हों, इसलिए बनी सेला टनल:1962 जैसे नहीं घुस पाएगा चीन; सड़कों, पुलों और सुरंगों का सुरक्षा जाल तैयार], Bhaskar, accessed 14 June 2023.</ref>


4th Garhwal Rifles was later awarded the Battle Honour Nuranang, the only battle honor awarded to an army unit during the war.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Memorable War Stories|last=Singh Gp Capt|first=Ranbir|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|year=2009|isbn=978-8188322664|pages=27}}</ref>
== Legacy: Jaswant Garh memorial and post ==
{{ anchor | Legacy | Memorial Jaswant Garh | Jaswantgarh }}
{{see also|Baba Harbhajan Singh#Temples|l1=Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple and bunker|Operation_Rajiv#Geography|l2=Bana Singh Post|Dhan_Singh_Thapa#Post|l3=Dhan Singh Thapa Post|Lucky Bisht}}
 
The bravery of Jaswant Rawat was honored by naming the army post held by him as the "'''Jaswant Garh post'''" where he fended off the [[People's Liberation Army]], and '''Jaswant Garh War Memorial''' was built at the post.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/139091/not-china-alone-renamed-places-tawang/|title=When It Comes to Renaming Places in Tawang, China Is Not Alone|last=Pisharoty|first=Sangeeta Barooah|website=thewire.in|language=en-GB|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2019/12/22/heroes-of-1962-war-in-arunachal-battle-of-nuranang/|title=Heroes of 1962 War in Arunachal, Battle of Nuranang|date=22 December 2019|author=M Panging Pao}}</ref> Memorial at the army post lies 52&nbsp;km southeast of [[Tawang]] & north of Sela Tunnel on [[National Highway 13 (India)|NH-13]] [[Trans-Arunachal Highway]]'s [[Dirang]]-Tawang section.
 
Additionally, Rawat has received several posthumous promotions.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas|last=Talbot|first=Ian|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2016|isbn=978-0300216592}}</ref>
 
Sela, who died helping Jaswant was honored by naming the [[Sela Pass]], [[Sela Tunnel]] and Sela Lake in her name.<ref name=selajas1/> [[Nuranang Falls]] was [[Nuranang Falls#Nura|named]] after Nura.
 
4th Garhwal Rifles was later awarded the Battle Honour Nuranang, the only battle honor awarded to an army unit during the ongoing war.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Memorable War Stories|last=Singh Gp Capt|first=Ranbir|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|year=2009|isbn=978-8188322664|pages=27}}</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
The 2019 Hindi movie ''[[72 Hours: Martyr Who Never Died]]'', directed by [[Avinash Dhyani]], is based on the story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pioneer|first=The|title=72 Hours...movie on the legendary soldier to be released on Friday|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/72-hours---movie-on-the-legendary-solider-to-be-released-on-friday.html|access-date=2020-06-11|website=The Pioneer|language=en}}</ref>
The 2019 Hindi movie ''[[72 Hours: Martyr Who Never Died]]'', directed by [[Avinash Dhyani]], is based on the story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat.<ref>{{Cite web|title=72 Hours...movie on the legendary soldier to be released on Friday|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/72-hours---movie-on-the-legendary-solider-to-be-released-on-friday.html|access-date=2020-06-11|website=The Pioneer|language=en}}</ref>
 
==See also==
 
* [[Sela Tunnel]], [[Sela Pass]] and Sela lake named after Sela
 
*


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 21:20, 11 December 2025


For other uses, see Jaswant Singh (disambiguation).

Rifleman

Jaswant Singh Rawat

MVC
Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat
Born(1941-08-19)19 August 1941
Dhumakot, Pauri Garhwal, British India
Died17 November 1962(1962-11-17) (aged 21)
Nuranang, North-East Frontier Agency, India
(present-day Arunachal Pradesh, India)
AllegianceIndia Republic of India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1961–62
RankCaptain (Honorary)
Unit4th Garhwal Rifles
Battles/warsSino-Indian War †
Awards Maha Vir Chakra

Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, MVC (19 August 1941– 17 November 1962) was an Indian soldier and a posthumous recipient of the prestigious Maha Vir Chakra of which he was awarded for his actions of valor during the Battle of Nuranang in the Sino-Indian War.[1]

Sino-Indian War: Battle of Nuranang[edit | edit source]

See also: Battle of Galwan, Battle of Pangong, Battle of Rezang La, Battle of Gurung Hill, and Battle of Nuranang & Sela Pass
Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Jaswantgarh, Arunachal Pradesh.

During the Battle of Nuranang on 17 November 1962 in the North-East Frontier Agency (now Arunachal Pradesh), the Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was serving in the 4th battalion of 4th Garhwal Rifles regiment. On that day, the 4th Garhwal Rifles had beaten back two People's Liberation Army charges on their position. During a third intrusion, a Chinese medium machine gun (MMG) had come close to the Indian defenses and was firing accurately at their positions. Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, along with Lance Naik Trilok Singh Negi and Rifleman Gopal Singh Gusain volunteered to subdue the MMG.[2][3][4][5] Rawat and Gusain, aided by covering fire from Negi closed within a grenade-throwing distance of the machine gun position and neutralized the Chinese detachment of five sentries, seizing the MMG in the process. However, while returning, Gusain and Negi lost their lives and Rawat was seriously injured, although he managed to return with the captured weapon. The battle resulted in 300 Chinese casualties, whereas the 4th Garhwal Rifles lost two men and had eight wounded.[6]

Rawat's company eventually decided to fall back, but Rawat remained and kept up the fight with the help of two local Monpa girls named Sela and Nura (Noora). Later, Sela was killed and Noora captured. Rushing from position to position, Rawat held off the enemy for 72 hours until the Chinese captured a local supplier, who told them that they were facing only one fighter. The Chinese then stormed Rawat's position, but the exact details of his death are unclear. Some accounts claim that Rawat shot himself with his last round of ammunition; others state that he was taken prisoner and executed by the Chinese. The Chinese commander returned Rawat's severed head and a brass bust of him to India after the war was over.[7] Sela Pass, Sela Tunnel and Sela Lake were named after Sela in commemoration of her actions.[8]

Legacy: Jaswant Garh memorial and post[edit | edit source]

See also: Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple and bunker, Bana Singh Post, Dhan Singh Thapa Post, and Lucky Bisht

The bravery of Jaswant Rawat was honored by naming the army post held by him as the "Jaswant Garh post" where he fended off the People's Liberation Army, and Jaswant Garh War Memorial was built at the post.[9][10] Memorial at the army post lies 52 km southeast of Tawang & north of Sela Tunnel on NH-13 Trans-Arunachal Highway's Dirang-Tawang section.

Additionally, Rawat has received several posthumous promotions.[11]

Sela, who died helping Jaswant was honored by naming the Sela Pass, Sela Tunnel and Sela Lake in her name.[8] Nuranang Falls was named after Nura.

4th Garhwal Rifles was later awarded the Battle Honour Nuranang, the only battle honor awarded to an army unit during the ongoing war.[12]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

The 2019 Hindi movie 72 Hours: Martyr Who Never Died, directed by Avinash Dhyani, is based on the story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat.[13]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "72 Hours: A Movie On Jaswant Singh, The Man Who Saved Arunachal Pradesh From The Chinese but he died..." IndiaTimes. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  2. ↑ ANI (18 November 2019). "War heroes of 1962 Sino-Indian war remembered on Nuranang Day". Business Standard India. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  3. ↑ author. "Heroes of 1962 war in Arunachal: Battle of Nuranang | The Arunachal Times". Retrieved 12 July 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ↑ "The Story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat: The Hero Of Nauranang". Stories for the Youth!. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat MVC | Honourpoint". 17 November 1962. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Col J Francis (Retd) (30 August 2013). Short Stories from the History of the Indian Army Since August 1947. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. p. 53. ISBN 9789382652175.
  7. ↑ "Indian Army's 'Immortal' soldier Jaswant Singh Rawat, on duty even after being martyred". 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 जसवंत-सेला शहीद न हों, इसलिए बनी सेला टनल:1962 जैसे नहीं घुस पाएगा चीन; सड़कों, पुलों और सुरंगों का सुरक्षा जाल तैयार, Bhaskar, accessed 14 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Pisharoty, Sangeeta Barooah. "When It Comes to Renaming Places in Tawang, China Is Not Alone". thewire.in. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  10. ↑ M Panging Pao (22 December 2019). "Heroes of 1962 War in Arunachal, Battle of Nuranang".
  11. ↑ Talbot, Ian (2016). A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0300216592.
  12. ↑ Singh Gp Capt, Ranbir (2009). Memorable War Stories. Prabhat Prakashan. p. 27. ISBN 978-8188322664.
  13. ↑ "72 Hours...movie on the legendary soldier to be released on Friday". The Pioneer. Retrieved 11 June 2020.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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