Regiment of Artillery (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|A Military unit of Indian Army}}
{{Short description|Artillery arm of the Indian Army}}
{{for|the British Royal Regiment of Artillery|Royal Artillery}}
{{for|the British Royal Regiment of Artillery|Royal Artillery}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Regiment of the Artillery
| unit_name = Regiment of the Artillery
| image                         = File:Regiment of Artillery Insignia (India).svg
| image = File:Regiment of Artillery (India).svg
| image_size                   = 150px
| image_size = 240px
| caption                       = Regimental crest
| caption = Regimental crest
| dates                         = 1827–present
| dates = 1827–present
| country                       = {{flag|India}}
| country = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance                   = [[Republic of India]]
| allegiance = [[Republic of India]]
| branch                       = {{army|India}}
| branch = {{army|India}}
| type                         = [[Artillery]]
| type = [[Artillery]]
| role                         =  
| role =  
| size                         =  
| size =  
| command_structure             =  
| command_structure =  
| garrison                     =  
| garrison =  
| garrison_label               =  
| garrison_label =  
| nickname                     =  
| nickname = ARTY
| patron                       =  
| patron =  
| motto                         = ''Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal'' ''(Everywhere with Honour and Glory)''
| motto = ''Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal'' ''(Everywhere with Honour and Glory)''
| colors                       = Red and Navy Blue<br>{{Color box|#FF0000}} {{Color box|#000080}}
| colors = Red and Navy Blue<br>{{Color box|#FF0000}} {{Color box|#000080}}
| colors_label                 = Regimental colors
| colors_label = Regimental colors
| march                         =  
| march =  
| mascot                       =  
| mascot =  
| equipment                     =  
| equipment =  
| equipment_label               =  
| equipment_label =  
| battles                       =  
| battles =  
| anniversaries                 = 28 September (Gunners' Day)
| anniversaries = 28 September (Gunners' Day)
| decorations                   = [[Victoria Cross]] 1<br />[[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]] 1<br/>[[Maha Vir Chakra]] 7<br/>[[Kirti Chakra]] 8<br/>[[Vir Chakra]] 92<br/>[[Yudh Seva Medal]] 3<br/>[[Shaurya Chakra]] 56<br/>[[Sena Medal|Sena Medal (Gallantry)]] 441<ref>[https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=leNduwzOKs7ZBdcMS9b2gA==&ParentID=68YGU9Wc2lnjBz3EueXTyQ==&flag=1Nt0tIw/9Qtfij2tr0Nsbg==] [[Indian Army]] website.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=461&h=Guns-and-Glory---A-Saga-of-Dedication-and-Valour|title=SP's Land Forces : Guns and Glory - A Saga of Dedication and Valour|date=|access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref>
| decorations = [[Victoria Cross]] 1<br />[[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]] 1<br/>[[Maha Vir Chakra]] 7<br/>[[Kirti Chakra]] 8<br/>[[Vir Chakra]] 92<br/>[[Yudh Seva Medal]] 3<br/>[[Shaurya Chakra]] 56<br/>[[Sena Medal|Sena Medal (Gallantry)]] 441<ref>[https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=leNduwzOKs7ZBdcMS9b2gA==&ParentID=68YGU9Wc2lnjBz3EueXTyQ==&flag=1Nt0tIw/9Qtfij2tr0Nsbg==] [[Indian Army]] website.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=461&h=Guns-and-Glory---A-Saga-of-Dedication-and-Valour|title=SP's Land Forces : Guns and Glory A Saga of Dedication and Valour|date=|access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref>
| battle_honours               =  
| battle_honours =  
| disbanded                     = <!-- Commanders -->
| disbanded = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                   =  
| commander1 = Lt Gen Adosh Kumar PVSM, AVSM, SM
| commander1_label             =  
| commander1_label = Sr. Col Comdt Regt of Arty
| commander2                   =  
| commander2 = Lt Gen NS Sarna PVSM,AVSM,SM,VSM
| commander2_label             =  
| commander2_label = Comdt School of Arty
| commander3                   =  
| commander3 =  
| commander3_label             =  
| commander3_label =  
| notable_commanders           =  
| notable_commanders = General PP Kumaramangalam DSO, OBE<br>General OP Malhotra PVSM<br>General SF Rodrigues PVSM, VSM<br>General S Padmanabhan PVSM, AVSM, VSM<br>General Deepak Kapoor PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM
<!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol = [[File:Flag-of-Indian-Army-Regiment of Artillery.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag-of-Indian-Army-Regiment of Artillery.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Regimental Colors
| identification_symbol_label   = Tactical recognition flash
| identification_symbol_2 =  
| identification_symbol_2       =  
| identification_symbol_2_label =  
| identification_symbol_2_label =  
| identification_symbol_3       =  
| identification_symbol_3 =  
| identification_symbol_3_label =  
| identification_symbol_3_label =  
| identification_symbol_4       =  
| identification_symbol_4 =  
| identification_symbol_4_label =  
| identification_symbol_4_label =  
}}
}}
[[File:Nau Gaj Cnnon Narnala fort.jpg|right|305px|thumb|27 feet Cannon at [[Narnala]] fort]]
[[File:Nau Gaj Cnnon Narnala fort.jpg|right|305px|thumb|27 feet Cannon at [[Narnala]] fort]]
The '''Regiment of Artillery''' is a combat/fighting arm of the [[Indian Army]],  which provides massive firepower during all ground operations of the [[Indian Army]]. It is a successor to the [[Royal Indian Artillery]] (RIA) of [[British Indian Army]], which itself traces its origins to the formation of Bombay Artillery in 1827.
 
The '''Regiment of Artillery''' is a combat support arm of the [[Indian Army]],  which provides massive firepower during all ground operations of the [[Indian Army]]. It is a successor to the [[Royal Indian Artillery]] (RIA) of [[British Indian Army]], which itself traces its origins to the formation of Bombay Artillery in 1827.


Today, it is the second-largest arm of the Indian Army, and with its guns, mortars, rocket launchers, unmanned aerial vehicles, surveillance systems, missiles and artillery firepower. It constitutes almost one-sixth of its total strength.
Today, it is the second-largest arm of the Indian Army, and with its guns, mortars, rocket launchers, unmanned aerial vehicles, surveillance systems, missiles and artillery firepower. It constitutes almost one-sixth of its total strength.
[[File:TipuCannon.jpg|right|305px|thumb|Cannon of [[Tipu Sultan]] at [[Government Museum, Chennai]]]]
[[File:TipuCannon.jpg|right|305px|thumb|Cannon of [[Tipu Sultan]] at [[Government Museum, Chennai]]]]


==Early history==
== History ==
The Mughal Emperor [[Babur]] is popularly credited with introducing artillery to India, in the [[Battle of Panipat (1526)|Battle of Panipat]] in 1526, where he decisively used [[gunpowder warfare|gunpowder]] [[firearm]]s and [[field artillery]] to defeat the much larger army of [[Ibrahim Lodhi]], the ruler of the [[Delhi Sultanate]], thus not just laying the foundation of the [[Mughal Empire]] but also setting a precedent for all future battles in the subcontinent. However, evidence of earlier use of guns by [[Bahmani Sultanate|Bahmani]] kings in the battle of [[Adoni]] in 1368 and King Mohammed Shah of Gujarat in the fifteenth century have been recorded.<ref name="Singh2006">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jagjit|title=Artillery: The Battle-Winning Arm|date=2006|publisher=Lancer Publishers, New Delhi|isbn= 978-8176021807}}</ref> Then came the [[Portuguese India Armadas|Portuguese]], who for the first time introduced the man-o-war (ships) armed with cannons and introduced the concept of command of the seas in the Indian Ocean region. By the early 16th century, [[Zamorin]], the ruler of Calicut, had begun to emulate the Portuguese and began to arm his ships with naval gun pieces.<ref name="Mukherjee">{{cite web |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/203255/5/chapter%203.pdf|title=Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter II|access-date=2021-05-26}}</ref>


The [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] further expanded and improved their artillery arm and used it successfully to expand their empire. Though the artillery arm of the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]] was weaker than many of their contemporaries, [[Balaji Baji Rao]] organised the arm in professional lines and [[Mahadaji Shinde|Madhavji Sindhia]] established a fairly efficient gun manufacturing foundry under the supervision of European gun makers. During the 18th century, [[Tipu Sultan]] was notable in using guns, mortar, rockets and howitzers to effective use; the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] manufactured his own guns with the help of his French officers and the Sikhs under [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] pioneered the development of horse-artillery on the same lines as that of the East India Company.<ref name="Singh2006"/><ref name="Mukherjee"/>
=== Early history ===
The Mughal Emperor [[Babur]] is popularly credited with introducing artillery to India, in the [[Battle of Panipat (1526)|Battle of Panipat]] in 1526, where he decisively used [[gunpowder warfare|gunpowder]] [[firearm]]s and [[field artillery]] to defeat the much larger army of [[Ibrahim Lodhi]], the ruler of the [[Delhi Sultanate]], thus not just laying the foundation of the [[Mughal Empire]] but also setting a precedent for all future battles in the subcontinent. However, evidence of earlier use of guns by [[Bahmani Sultanate|Bahmani]] kings in the battle of [[Adoni]] in 1368 and King Mohammed Shah of Gujarat in the fifteenth century have been recorded.<ref name="Singh2006">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jagjit|title=Artillery: The Battle-Winning Arm|date=2006|publisher=Lancer Publishers, New Delhi|isbn= 978-8176021807}}</ref> Then came the [[Portuguese India Armadas|Portuguese]], who for the first time introduced the man-o-war (ships) armed with cannons and introduced the concept of command of the seas in the Indian Ocean region. However, it was documented by Portuguese travellers that artillery guns were widely in use in the Indian subcontinent.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eaton |first1=Richard M. |last2=Wagoner |first2=Philip B. |date=2014-03-01 |title=Warfare on the Deccan Plateau, 1450–1600: a military revolution in early modern India? |url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&issn=10456007&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA379980420&sid=googleScholar&linkaccess=abs |journal=Journal of World History |language=English |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=5–52|doi=10.1353/jwh.2014.0004 |s2cid=162260578 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> By the early 16th century, [[Zamorin]], the ruler of Calicut, had begun to emulate the Portuguese and began to arm his ships with naval gun pieces.<ref name="Mukherjee">{{cite web |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/203255/5/chapter%203.pdf|title=Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter II|access-date=2021-05-26}}</ref>


==East India Company==
The [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] further expanded and improved their artillery arm and used it successfully to expand their empire. Though the artillery arm of the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]] was weaker than many of their contemporaries, [[Balaji Baji Rao]] organised the arm in professional lines and [[Mahadaji Shinde|Madhavji Sindhia]] established a fairly efficient gun manufacturing foundry under the supervision of European gun makers. During the 18th century, [[Tipu Sultan]] was notable for using guns, mortars, rockets and howitzers to effective use; the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] manufactured his own guns with the help of his French officers and the Sikhs under [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] pioneered the development of horse-artillery on the same lines as that of the East India Company.<ref name="Singh2006"/><ref name="Mukherjee"/>
 
=== East India Company ===
[[File:Brass Cannon C at Chowmahalla Palace Museum 05.jpg|right|305px|thumb|Nizam era brass cannon at [[Chowmahalla Palace]] Museum]]  
[[File:Brass Cannon C at Chowmahalla Palace Museum 05.jpg|right|305px|thumb|Nizam era brass cannon at [[Chowmahalla Palace]] Museum]]  
The English, who were regular users of cannons in their ships, initially used guns landed from their fleet and manned by naval ratings detached for the purpose.<ref name="Jackson">{{cite book|last=Jackson|first=Donovan|title= India's Army|date=1940|publisher= Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd|pages=176–187}}</ref>  They first placed 12 guns near the village of [[Armagaon|Armegaon]] along the [[Coromandel Coast|Coromandel coast]]. The gunners were called ''Topasses'' from the Portuguese word ''Tope''. In 1668, two companies of [[East India Company]]’s artillery were formed at [[Mumbai|Bombay]]. The other presidencies followed suit. In 1748, the Court of Directors of the East India Company ordered regular companies of artillery to be formed, one at each for the Presidencies of [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[Madras Presidency|Madras]], and [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]]. The power of artillery in defining the military power at that time was so pervasive that initially the British did not permit the natives to join the artillery arm. As the artillery was expanded, sufficient European recruits could not be mustered, the company gradually permitted the natives to join the artillery in a small percentage. These Indian gunners recruited as support staff were called as ''Golandaz, Gun Lashkars, Tindals'' and ''Serangs''. A few Indian mountain artillery batteries, officered by the British, were raised in the 19th century and formed part of the Royal Artillery.<ref name="Mukherjee"/><ref name=hist/>  
The English, who were regular users of cannons in their ships, initially used guns landed from their fleet and manned by naval ratings detached for the purpose.<ref name="Jackson">{{cite book|last=Jackson|first=Donovan|title= India's Army|date=1940|publisher= Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd|pages=176–187}}</ref>  They first placed 12 guns near the village of [[Armagaon|Armegaon]] along the [[Coromandel Coast|Coromandel coast]]. The gunners were called ''Topasses'' from the Portuguese word ''Tope''. In 1668, two companies of [[East India Company]]'s artillery were formed at [[Mumbai|Bombay]]. The other presidencies followed suit. In 1748, the Court of Directors of the East India Company ordered regular companies of artillery to be formed, one at each for the Presidencies of [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[Madras Presidency|Madras]], and [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]]. The power of artillery in defining the military power at that time was so pervasive that initially the British did not permit the natives to join the artillery arm. As the artillery was expanded, sufficient European recruits could not be mustered, the company gradually permitted the natives to join the artillery in a small percentage. These Indian gunners recruited as support staff were called as ''Golandaz, Gun Lashkars, Tindals'' and ''Serangs''. A few Indian mountain artillery batteries, officered by the British, were raised in the 19th century and formed part of the Royal Artillery.<ref name="Mukherjee"/><ref name=hist/>  
[[File:-Bengal Horse Artillery,1860- MET DP146172.jpg|right|305px|thumb|Bengal Horse Artillery, 1860]]
[[File:-Bengal Horse Artillery,1860- MET DP146172.jpg|right|305px|thumb|Bengal Horse Artillery, 1860]]
The [[Royal Indian Artillery]] (RIA) of the [[British Indian Army]] was raised on 28 September 1827, as a part of the [[Bombay Army]], a [[Presidency armies|presidency army]] of the [[Bombay Presidency]]. It was later renamed as 5 Bombay Mountain Battery. The [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] sparked off in [[Meerut]] on 10 May 1857. Many of the Indian personnel of the Bengal Artillery were involved in the mutiny and the three battalions of foot artillery then in existence were all disbanded in 1862.<ref>W.Y. Carmen, page 12 "Indian Army Uniforms under the British. Artillery, Engineers and Infantry", Morgan-Grampian: London 1969</ref> Subsequently, all Indian artillery units were disbanded except for a few.<ref name=glo>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/artillery.htm Regiment of Artillery] ''[[Global Security]]''</ref> The whole of the variously European artillery and the corps of engineers were transferred to the Royal corps under special conditions. The mutiny of all the native Bengal artillery, and other weighty considerations, had decided the Government to have no native field artillery in future. All the native artillery was therefore gradually disbanded. The only exceptions to this rule were the four mountain batteries in the Punjab Irregular Force (later the Punjab Frontier Force), and two native batteries in Bombay. These Nos. 1 and 2 companies Golandaz, originally used to garrison [[Aden]] and man the [[Jacobabad]] mountain train in turn, eventually became Nos. 1 and 2 Bombay Mountain Batteries, and later 5 and 6 (Bombay) Mountain Batteries. Another exception were the four field batteries of the [[Hyderabad Contingent]]. The whole of this contingent had done excellent service in 1857, and was retained intact. In future, with these exceptions, the artillery service in India was to be found by batteries and companies of the Royal Artillery.<ref>{{cite book|last=MacMunn|first=GF|title=The Armies of India|publisher=Adam and Charles Black, London|year=1911|pages=113–114}}</ref> Many of the mountain batteries had soldiers from the disbanded horse artillery regiments of the Sikhs. They saw extensive action in the North West Frontier and the Afghan wars.<ref name="Jackson"/>
The [[Royal Indian Artillery]] (RIA) of the [[British Indian Army]] was raised on 28 September 1827, as a part of the [[Bombay Army]], a [[Presidency armies|presidency army]] of the [[Bombay Presidency]]. It was later renamed as 5 Bombay Mountain Battery. The [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] sparked off in [[Meerut]] on 10 May 1857. Many of the Indian personnel of the Bengal Artillery were involved in the mutiny and the three battalions of foot artillery then in existence were all disbanded in 1862.<ref>W.Y. Carmen, page 12 "Indian Army Uniforms under the British. Artillery, Engineers and Infantry", Morgan-Grampian: London 1969</ref> Subsequently, all Indian artillery units were disbanded except for a few.<ref name=glo>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/artillery.htm Regiment of Artillery] ''[[Global Security]]''</ref> The whole of the variously European artillery and the corps of engineers were transferred to the Royal corps under special conditions. The mutiny of all the native Bengal artillery, and other weighty considerations, had decided the Government to have no native field artillery in future. All the native artillery was therefore gradually disbanded. The only exceptions to this rule were the four mountain batteries in the Punjab Irregular Force (later the Punjab Frontier Force), and two native batteries in Bombay. These Nos. 1 and 2 companies Golandaz, originally used to garrison [[Aden]] and man the [[Jacobabad]] mountain train in turn, eventually became Nos. 1 and 2 Bombay Mountain Batteries, and later 5 and 6 (Bombay) Mountain Batteries. Another exception were the four field batteries of the [[Hyderabad Contingent]]. The whole of this contingent had done excellent service in 1857, and was retained intact. In future, with these exceptions, the artillery service in India was to be found by batteries and companies of the Royal Artillery.<ref>{{cite book|last=MacMunn|first=GF|title=The Armies of India|publisher=Adam and Charles Black, London|year=1911|pages=113–114}}</ref> Many of the mountain batteries had soldiers from the disbanded horse artillery regiments of the Sikhs. They saw extensive action in the North West Frontier and the Afghan wars.<ref name="Jackson"/>


==Crown Service==
=== Crown service ===
[[File:RML2.5inchMountaunGunAssembling1895.jpg|right|305px|thumb|A mountain artillery crew from the [[British Indian Army]] demonstrating assembly of the [[RML 2.5 inch Mountain Gun]], ca 1895]]
[[File:RML2.5inchMountaunGunAssembling1895.jpg|right|305px|thumb|A mountain artillery crew from the [[British Indian Army]] demonstrating assembly of the [[RML 2.5-inch mountain gun|RML 2.5 inch mountain gun]], ca 1895]]
With nearly all of the field artillery being manned by the Royal Artillery, Indian soldiers were restricted to few native drivers of the horse, field and heavy batteries. These men are enlisted from the usual fighting classes of the [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]]. The main Indian representation was in the ‘Mountain Artillery’. The guns of the mountain artillery were light in calibre and were designed to be disassembled and transported by pack [[mule]] in up to eight loads for use in terrain that would otherwise be impossible to traverse with larger and more conventional artillery. The earliest guns were the tiny 3 Pounder SBML (Smooth Bore Muzzle Loading) and 4 2/5 Inch SBML howitzer of 1850s.  
 
With nearly all of the field artillery being manned by the Royal Artillery, Indian soldiers were restricted to few native drivers of the horse, field and heavy batteries. These men are enlisted from the usual fighting classes of the [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]]. The main Indian representation was in the 'Mountain Artillery'. The guns of the mountain artillery were light in calibre and were designed to be disassembled and transported by pack [[mule]] in up to eight loads for use in terrain that would otherwise be impossible to traverse with larger and more conventional artillery. The earliest guns were the tiny 3 Pounder SBML (Smooth Bore Muzzle Loading) and 4 2/5 Inch SBML howitzer of 1850s.  
[[File:No. 1 Kohat Mountain Battery 1896.jpg|thumb|305x305px| A chromolithograph of No. 1 Kohat Mountain Battery by Richard Simkin, c. 1896.]]
[[File:No. 1 Kohat Mountain Battery 1896.jpg|thumb|305x305px| A chromolithograph of No. 1 Kohat Mountain Battery by Richard Simkin, c. 1896.]]
These were replaced in 1865 by the [[RML 7-pounder Mountain Gun|7 Pounder RML (Rifled Muzzle Loading) gun]] and this in turn was replaced in 1879 by the significantly improved and significantly heavier [[RML 2.5-inch mountain gun]], also known as ''Kipling's Screw Gun'' - which had barrels that split in two for transport.<ref name="Mukherjee"/>
These were replaced in 1865 by the [[RML 7-pounder mountain gun|7-pounder RML (rifled muzzle loading) gun]] and this in turn was replaced in 1879 by the significantly improved and significantly heavier [[RML 2.5-inch mountain gun]], also known as ''Kipling's Screw Gun'' which had barrels that split in two for transport.<ref name="Mukherjee"/>
 
[[File:10pounderMountainGunEastAfricaWWI.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[BL 10-pounder mountain gun]] crew in action, East Africa, World War I|alt=|right]]
[[File:10pounderMountainGunEastAfricaWWI.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[BL 10-pounder mountain gun]] crew in action, East Africa, World War I|alt=|right]]
For the Great War, the [[BL 10-pounder mountain gun|10 Pounder BL (Breech Loading)]] and [[BL 2.75-inch mountain gun|2.75 Inch guns]] equipped the Indian Mountain Artillery. Only in the last year of the war was the next model, the [[QF 3.7-inch mountain howitzer]] introduced in East Africa. Upon entering service, it immediately became clear that this piece was vastly superior to all previous models, and it would soldier on as the standard mountain gun during the inter-war years and throughout World War II.<ref name="Mukherjee"/>
For the Great War, the [[BL 10-pounder mountain gun|10 Pounder BL (Breech Loading)]] and [[BL 2.75-inch mountain gun|2.75 Inch guns]] equipped the Indian Mountain Artillery. Only in the last year of the war was the next model, the [[QF 3.7-inch mountain howitzer]] introduced in East Africa. Upon entering service, it immediately became clear that this piece was vastly superior to all previous models, and it would soldier on as the standard mountain gun during the inter-war years and throughout World War II.<ref name="Mukherjee"/>
[[File:Indian Army QF 3.7 inch gun battery Jerusalem 1917.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Indian Army gunners with [[QF 3.7-inch mountain howitzer|QF 3.7 inch mountain howitzers]] in Palestine, 1917]]
[[File:Indian Army QF 3.7 inch gun battery Jerusalem 1917.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Indian Army gunners with [[QF 3.7-inch mountain howitzer|QF 3.7 inch mountain howitzers]] in Palestine, 1917]]
Other than the batteries which were not disbanded after the mutiny, throughout the remainder of the 19th Century, and during the years leading up to and including the Great War, a total of twenty-five more Batteries were raised. All the Indian mountain batteries consisted of Punjabis, half Muhammadan and half Hindu, the latter being almost entirely Sikhs. The gunners were specially selected for their height and strength, with a view to the rapid assembling and dismantling of the guns from off and on to the backs of the powerful mules that carry them.<ref>{{cite book|last=MacMunn|first=GF|title=The Armies of India|publisher=Adam and Charles Black, London|year=1911|pages=180–183}}</ref> In addition to service on the 'Frontier', Indian Mountain Batteries served in North-East India, Burma, Afghanistan, Tibet, the Middle East, Africa, and during the [[World War I|Great War]]; [[Mesopotamia Campaign|Mesopotamia]], [[Battle of Gallipoli|Gallipoli]], East Africa, Persia, [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Palestine]] and of course the North-West Frontier again.<ref name=hist/> Throughout their history, the reputation of Indian Mountain Batteries was enhanced by the fact that they were officered by the very best the Royal Artillery had to offer. Such talented men competed to join because a tour in an Indian Mountain Battery, unlike other branches of artillery, virtually guaranteed seeing active service. Indian officers ([[Viceroy's commissioned officer|VCO's]]) and other ranks were also the best available, as the relatively small number of batteries and their role as the only Indian artillery meant that there was always a surplus of volunteers, and this in turn meant that only the highest quality of recruit was accepted.<ref name="Jackson"/> During the Great War, Indian gunners won 12 [[Order of British India]], 22 [[Indian Order of Merit]], 150 [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal]]s, 232 [[Indian Meritorious Service Medal (for Indian Army)|Indian Meritorious Service Medal]]s, 2 [[Médaille militaire]], 3 [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Romania#Wartime military decorations|Crucea Servicul Credincois (Romanian)]], 5 [[Medal for Bravery (Serbia)|Serbian Gold Medals]], 4 [[Cross of St. George]], 4th Class and 1 Cross of St George, 3rd Class.<ref>{{cite book|last=India|first=Adjutant General of|title=List of Honours Awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921|date=1930|publisher= Committee Indian War Memorial Delhi}}</ref>
Other than the batteries which were not disbanded after the mutiny, throughout the remainder of the 19th Century, and during the years leading up to and including the Great War, a total of twenty-five more Batteries were raised. All the Indian mountain batteries consisted of Punjabis, half Muhammadan and half Hindu, the latter being almost entirely Sikhs. The gunners were specially selected for their height and strength, with a view to the rapid assembling and dismantling of the guns from off and on to the backs of the powerful mules that carry them.<ref>{{cite book|last=MacMunn|first=GF|title=The Armies of India|publisher=Adam and Charles Black, London|year=1911|pages=180–183}}</ref> In addition to service on the 'Frontier', Indian Mountain Batteries served in North-East India, Burma, Afghanistan, Tibet, the Middle East, Africa, and during the [[World War I|Great War]]; [[Mesopotamia Campaign|Mesopotamia]], [[Battle of Gallipoli|Gallipoli]], East Africa, Persia, [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Palestine]] and of course the North-West Frontier again.<ref name=hist/> Throughout their history, the reputation of Indian Mountain Batteries was enhanced by the fact that they were officered by the very best the Royal Artillery had to offer. Such talented men competed to join because a tour in an Indian Mountain Battery, unlike other branches of artillery, virtually guaranteed seeing active service. Indian officers ([[Viceroy's commissioned officer|VCO's]]) and other ranks were also the best available, as the relatively small number of batteries and their role as the only Indian artillery meant that there was always a surplus of volunteers, and this in turn meant that only the highest quality of recruit was accepted.<ref name="Jackson"/> During the Great War, Indian gunners won 12 [[Order of British India]], 22 [[Indian Order of Merit]], 150 [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal]]s, 232 [[Indian Meritorious Service Medal (for Indian Army)|Indian Meritorious Service Medal]]s, 2 [[Médaille militaire]], 3 [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Romania#Wartime military decorations|Crucea Servicul Credincois (Romanian)]], 5 [[Medal for Bravery (Serbia)|Serbian Gold Medals]], 4 [[Cross of St. George]], 4th Class and 1 Cross of St George, 3rd Class.<ref>{{cite book|last=India|first=Adjutant General of|title=List of Honours Awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921|date=1930|publisher= Committee Indian War Memorial Delhi}}</ref>


==Indianisation of Artillery==
=== Indianisation of Artillery ===
Consequent upon the decision to Indianise the artillery arm in India, it was decided
After the decision to Indianise the artillery arm in India, it was decided
to raise three field artillery brigades and one horse artillery battery for the infantry
to raise three field artillery brigades and one horse artillery battery for the infantry divisions and the cavalry brigade respectively. On 15 January 1935, [[1 Field Regiment (India)|'A' Field Brigade]] was formed to take the place of an outgoing British Field Brigade. It consisted of four batteries – the 1st of [[Madrasi]]s, originally formed from the disbanded Madras Pioneers, the 2nd, [[Punjabi Muslims|Punjabi Mussalmans]], the 3rd, Rajputana [[Rajput]]s and the 4th [[Ranghar]]s.<ref name="Jackson"/> In the following year, an Indian Artillery Training Battery was added to the establishment of the Field Artillery Training Centre at [[Mathura]]. In March 1938, a decision to enhance the number of Indian Artillery units was taken by the Commander-in-Chief, India. Indian officers were inducted in the No. 1 Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade, followed by the replacement of a second British Field Brigade by an Indian Field Brigade. Thereafter, replacement of a British Heavy Battery (Coast Artillery) and one British Anti-aircraft Battery by an Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery were to be undertaken followed by the replacement of a second British Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery by an Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery.<ref name="Mukherjee"/><ref>[http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/indregt.htm  Indian Field Artillery in World War II]</ref>
divisions and the cavalry brigade respectively. On 15 January 1935, ‘A’ Field Brigade was formed to take the place of an outgoing British Field Brigade. It consisted of four batteries – the 1st of [[Madrasi]]s, originally formed from the disbanded Madras Pioneers, the 2nd, [[Punjabi Muslims|Punjabi Mussalmans]], the 3rd, Rajputana [[Rajput]]s and the 4th [[Ranghar]]s.<ref name="Jackson"/> In the following year, an Indian Artillery Training Battery was added to the establishment of the Field Artillery Training Centre at [[Mathura]]. In March 1938, a decision to enhance the number of Indian Artillery units was taken by the Commander-in-Chief, India. Indian officers were inducted in the No. 1 Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade, followed by the replacement of a second British Field Brigade by an Indian Field Brigade. Thereafter, replacement of a British Heavy Battery (Coast Artillery) and one British Anti-aircraft Battery by an Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery were to be undertaken followed by the replacement of a second British Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery by an Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery.<ref name="Mukherjee"/><ref>[http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/indregt.htm  Indian Field Artillery in World War II]</ref>


Branches other than the field artillery were also introduced -
Branches other than the field artillery were also introduced.
*In August 1924, a [[Surveillance and Target Acquisition|survey section]] of the Royal Artillery was grouped under Captain EB Culverwell, MC, at the School of Artillery, [[Kakol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]].  
*In August 1924, a [[topography|survey section]] of the Royal Artillery was grouped under Captain EB Culverwell, MC, at the School of Artillery, [[Kakol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]].  
*Medium artillery, {{refn|group=nb|Medium Guns include those of greater than 105 mm calibre, but less than 155 mm and howitzers of greater than 105 mm calibre up to and including 155 mm}} became a part of the Regiment of Indian Artillery on 15 August 1944, when an Indian independent medium battery was raised at [[Peshawar]] to relieve a British Medium Battery in its frontier defence role. This battery was designated 201 (Independent) Medium Battery on 26 August 1944. The first of the Indian medium regiments was formed by converting the 8 Indian Field Regiment on 1 October 1944. This Regiment is in service and is known as [[40 Field Regiment (India)|40 Field Regiment]].<ref name="Mukherjee"/>  
*Medium artillery, {{refn|group=nb|Medium Guns include those of greater than 105 mm calibre, but less than 155 mm and howitzers of greater than 105 mm calibre up to and including 155 mm}} became a part of the Regiment of Indian Artillery on 15 August 1944, when an Indian independent medium battery was raised at [[Peshawar]] to relieve a British Medium Battery in its frontier defence role. This battery was designated 201 (Independent) Medium Battery on 26 August 1944. The first of the Indian medium regiments was formed by converting the 8 Indian Field Regiment on 1 October 1944. This Regiment is in service and is known as [[40 Field Regiment (India)|40 Field Regiment]].<ref name="Mukherjee"/>  
*[[Air Observation Post]] (Air OP), a special artillery unit under Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) control was raised during the World War II. The Air Observation Post first came to Indian Artillery In the form of [[No. 656 Squadron RAF|656 Air OP Squadron RAF]], which arrived on 14 November 1943. Artillery officers trained as pilots flew light unarmed [[Taylorcraft Auster|Auster]] aircraft to correct artillery gun fire and provide battle related information. 1 Air OP Flight (RIAF), the first in the Indian Army was raised on 15 August 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=/80KwcOY7yuQxgoxCRmnTA==&ParentID=M926jU/Si7No2EGRtjPG0Q==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title=Pangs of Partition|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>
*[[Air observation post]] (Air OP), a special artillery unit under Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) control was raised during the World War II. The air observation post first came to Indian Artillery in the form of [[No. 656 Squadron RAF|656 Air OP Squadron RAF]], which arrived on 14 November 1943. Artillery officers trained as pilots flew light unarmed [[Taylorcraft Auster]] aircraft to correct artillery gun fire and provide battle related information. 1 Air OP Flight (RIAF), the first in the Indian Army was raised on 15 August 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=/80KwcOY7yuQxgoxCRmnTA==&ParentID=M926jU/Si7No2EGRtjPG0Q==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title=Pangs of Partition|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>


==Second World War==
=== Second World War ===
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], Indian artillery units saw action in Malaya, Burma, East and North Africa, the Middle East and Italy. The following units saw action<ref name="Mukherjee"/> –
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], Indian artillery units saw action in Malaya, Burma, East and North Africa, the Middle East and Italy. The following units saw action<ref name="Mukherjee"/> –
*[[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italy]] - [[34 Field Regiment (Cassino-II)|4 Maratha Anti Tank Regiment]]  
*[[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italy]] [[34 Field Regiment (Cassino-II)|4 Maratha Anti Tank Regiment]]  
*[[East African campaign (World War II)|East Africa]] - 22 Mountain Battery, [[23 Field Regiment (India)#76 (Jammu and Kashmir) Battery|1 (Jammu and Kashmir) Mountain Battery]]
*[[East African campaign (World War II)|East Africa]] 22 Mountain Battery, [[23 Field Regiment (India)#76 (Jammu and Kashmir) Battery|1 (Jammu and Kashmir) Mountain Battery]]
[[File:Indian-field-gun-keren.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Indian soldiers in action before the capture of Keren in Eritrea, 1941]]
[[File:Indian-field-gun-keren.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Indian soldiers in action before the capture of Keren in Eritrea, 1941]]
*[[Syria–Lebanon campaign|Syria]] - [[23 Field Regiment (India)#76 (Jammu and Kashmir) Battery|1 (Jammu and Kashmir) Mountain Battery]]
*[[Syria–Lebanon campaign|Syria]] [[23 Field Regiment (India)#76 (Jammu and Kashmir) Battery|1 (Jammu and Kashmir) Mountain Battery]]
*[[British Forces Aden|Aden]] - 27 and 18 Indian Mountain Batteries
*[[British Forces Aden|Aden]] 27 and 18 Indian Mountain Batteries
*[[Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II|Iraq]] - 1 Indian Anti-tank Regiment, [[34 Field Regiment (Cassino-II)|4 Maratha Anti Tank Regiment]]  
*[[Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II|Iraq]] 1 Indian Anti-tank Regiment, [[34 Field Regiment (Cassino-II)|4 Maratha Anti Tank Regiment]]  
*[[North African campaign|North Africa]] - [[2 Medium Regiment (India)|2 Indian Field Regiment]]
*[[North African campaign|North Africa]] [[2 Medium Regiment (India)|2 Indian Field Regiment]]
*[[Malayan campaign|Malaya]] – [[22 Medium Regiment (India)|22 Mountain Regiment]]
*[[Malayan campaign|Malaya]] – [[22 Medium Regiment (India)|22 Mountain Regiment]]
*[[Burma campaign|Burma]] –  
*[[Burma campaign|Burma]] –  
**1 Indian Field Regiment, [[2 Medium Regiment (India)|2 Indian Field Regiment]], 4 Indian Field Regiment, 5 Indian Field Regiment, 7 Indian Field Regiment  
**[[1 Field Regiment (India)|1 Indian Field Regiment]], [[2 Medium Regiment (India)|2 Indian Field Regiment]], 4 Indian Field Regiment, 5 Indian Field Regiment, 7 Indian Field Regiment  
**20 Indian Mountain Regiment, 21 Indian Mountain Regiment, [[23 Field Regiment (India)|23 Mountain Regiment]], 24 Mountain Regiment, 25 Indian Mountain Regiment, 30 Indian Mountain Regiment, 33 Mountain Regiment
**20 Indian Mountain Regiment, 21 Indian Mountain Regiment, [[23 Field Regiment (India)|23 Mountain Regiment]], 24 Mountain Regiment, 25 Indian Mountain Regiment, 30 Indian Mountain Regiment, 33 Mountain Regiment
**1 Indian Anti-tank Regiment, 5 (Maratha) Anti-tank Regiment,  7 Indian Anti-tank Regiment, [[36 Medium Regiment|8 (Maratha) Anti-tank Regiment]]
**1 Indian Anti-tank Regiment, 5 (Maratha) Anti-tank Regiment,  7 Indian Anti-tank Regiment, [[36 Medium Regiment|8 (Maratha) Anti-tank Regiment]]
**[[20 SATA Regiment (India)|1 Indian Survey Regiment]]
**[[20 SATA Regiment (India)|1 Indian Survey Regiment]]
**1 Light Anti-aircraft Regiment, [[26 Air Defence Regiment (India)|2 Light Anti-aircraft Regiment]], 5 Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Regiment
**1 Light Anti-aircraft Regiment, [[26 Air Defence Regiment (India)|2 Light Anti-aircraft Regiment]], 5 Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Regiment
By the end of Second World War, Indian gunners had won one [[Victoria Cross]], One [[George Medal]], 15 [[Military Cross]]es, two [[Indian Order of Merit|IOMs]], 22 [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal|IDSMs]], 18 [[Military Medal]]s, five [[Order of the British Empire|OBEs]], One [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]], three [[British Empire Medal|BEMs]], 13 [[Burma Gallantry Medal]]s and 467 ''Jangi Inams''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=461&h=Guns-and-Glory---A-Saga-of-Dedication-and-Valour|title= Guns and Glory - A Saga of Dedication and Valour|date=|access-date=2021-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Strikes|date=1942|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|page=150}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Kills|date=1944|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|pages=316–317}}</ref> In acknowledgement of their contribution, Indian Artillery earned the covert title of `Royal’ in 1945. Though originally called the 'Indian Regiment of Artillery', it later became 'The Regiment of Indian Artillery' on 1 November 1940 and '[[Royal Indian Artillery|Royal Regiment of Indian Artillery]]' in October 1945, after its success in [[World War II]].<ref name=glo/> The title ‘Royal’ was dropped when India became a Republic on 26 January 1950.
By the end of Second World War, Indian gunners had won one [[Victoria Cross]], One [[George Medal]], 15 [[Military Cross]]es, two [[Indian Order of Merit|IOMs]], 22 [[Indian Distinguished Service Medal|IDSMs]], 18 [[Military Medal]]s, five [[Order of the British Empire|OBEs]], One [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]], three [[British Empire Medal|BEMs]], 13 [[Burma Gallantry Medal]]s and 467 ''Jangi Inams''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=461&h=Guns-and-Glory---A-Saga-of-Dedication-and-Valour|title= Guns and Glory A Saga of Dedication and Valour|date=|access-date=2021-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Strikes|date=1942|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|page=150}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Kills|date=1944|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|pages=316–317}}</ref> In acknowledgement of their contribution, Indian Artillery earned the coveted title of `Royal' in 1945. Though originally called the 'Indian Regiment of Artillery', it later became 'The Regiment of Indian Artillery' on 1 November 1940 and '[[Royal Indian Artillery|Royal Regiment of Indian Artillery]]' in October 1945, after its success in [[World War II]].<ref name=glo/> The title 'Royal' was dropped when India became a Republic on 26 January 1950.


==Post Independence==
=== Post Independence ===
At the time of independence, Indian Artillery consisted of Field, Medium, Air Defence, Counter Bombardment, Coastal, Air Observation Post and Survey branches.  After the [[partition of India]] in 1947,  the Royal Indian Artillery was divided with India being allotted eighteen and a half regiments while remaining nine and half units went to [[Pakistan]].<ref name=hist>[http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/hist_of_arty.PDF History of Artillery], [[Indian Army]].</ref> Artillery units have taken part and showed their prowess in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]], [[Sino-Indian War]] of 1962, [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] and the [[Kargil War]].
At the time of independence, Indian Artillery consisted of Field, Medium, Air Defence, Counter Bombardment, Coastal, Air Observation Post and Survey branches.  After the [[partition of India]] in 1947,  the Royal Indian Artillery was divided with India being allotted eighteen and a half regiments while remaining nine and half units went to [[Pakistan]].<ref name=hist>[http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/hist_of_arty.PDF History of Artillery], [[Indian Army]].</ref> Artillery units have taken part and showed their prowess in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]], [[Sino-Indian War]] of 1962, [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] and the [[Kargil War]].


A major restructuring of Indian Artillery took place after the Chinese Aggression of 1962.  This included fresh raising and induction of newer equipment.  In 1964, Coastal Artillery was handed over to Indian Navy. In its peace time duties, the Regiment undertakes infantry type and counter insurgency tasks in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and in the [[Northeast India|North Eastern States]]. Air Observation Post and Air Defence branches bifurcated in 1986 and 1994 respectively and formed new arms of Indian Army – [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]] and [[Corps of Army Air Defence]].<ref>Sawhney, ''Jane's Defence Weekly'', 9 October 1996, p.35</ref>
A major restructuring of Indian Artillery took place after the Chinese Aggression of 1962.  This included fresh raising and induction of newer equipment.  In 1964, Coastal Artillery was handed over to Indian Navy. In its peace time duties, the Regiment undertakes infantry type and counter insurgency tasks in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and in the [[Northeast India|North Eastern States]]. Air Observation Post and Air Defence branches bifurcated in 1986 and 1994 respectively and formed new arms of Indian Army – [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]] and [[Corps of Army Air Defence]].<ref>Sawhney, ''Jane's Defence Weekly'', 9 October 1996, p.35</ref>


==Regimental Crest==
== Culture ==
[[File:Regiment of Artillery Insignia (India).svg|thumb|305x305px|Regimental Crest]]
 
The crest of the Regiment of Artillery is largely a legacy of the [[Royal Artillery]].  Their crest depicted a gun with a crown above it, separated by the world ''Ubique'' (Latin for everywhere).  Below the gun was emblazoned the motto; ''Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt'' (where right and glory lead).  In the [[Royal Indian Artillery]], the crown was replaced by [[Star (heraldry)|star]] - representing the [[Star of India (flag)#Emblem|Star of India]] and instead of ''Ubique'', the crest carried the word ''India'' to distinguish the [[Royal Indian Artillery]] from the [[Royal Artillery]]. The motto below was also changed to ''Izzat-o-Iqbal''.  After independence, the word ''India'' was dropped from the regimental crest and replaced with ''Sarvatra''.<ref name="RegimentofArtillery">{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/arms/index_arty.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923041933/http://indianarmy.nic.in/arms/index_arty.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-09-23|title=Regiment of Artillery|date=|access-date=2021-05-20}}</ref>
=== Crest ===
[[File:Regiment of Artillery (India).svg|thumb|305x305px|Regimental Crest]]
The crest of the Regiment of Artillery is largely a legacy of the [[Royal Artillery]].  Their heraldic crest depicted a field gun with a crown above it, separated by the word ''Ubique'' (Latin for everywhere).  Below the gun was emblazoned the motto; ''Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt'' (where right and glory lead).  In the [[Royal Indian Artillery]], the crown was replaced by [[Star (heraldry)|star]] representing the [[Star of India (flag)#Emblem|Star of India]] and instead of ''Ubique'', the crest carried the word ''India'' to distinguish the [[Royal Indian Artillery]] from the [[Royal Artillery]]. The motto below was also changed to ''Izzat-o-Iqbal''.  After independence, the word ''India'' was dropped from the regimental crest and replaced with ''Sarvatra''.<ref name="RegimentofArtillery">{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/arms/index_arty.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923041933/http://indianarmy.nic.in/arms/index_arty.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-09-23|title=Regiment of Artillery|date=|access-date=2021-05-20}}</ref>


The gun in the crest, the same used in the crest of the Royal Artillery, is a homage to the gunners of the old kingdoms of India and in the regiments of artillery of the Royal Indian Artillery, whose traditions are carried on by the current Regiment of Artillery.
The gun in the crest, the same used in the crest of the Royal Artillery, is a homage to the gunners of the old kingdoms of India and in the regiments of artillery of the Royal Indian Artillery, whose traditions are carried on by the current Regiment of Artillery.


==Regimental Motto==
=== Motto ===
The motto of the Regiment of Artillery is ''Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal'' ''(Everywhere with Honour and Glory)'', the [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] equivalent of the Royal Artillery motto ''Ubique Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt'' (Everywhere that Right and Glory Lead). The Hindustani motto honours the memory of the [[Hindu]] and [[Muslim]] gunners of the [[British Indian Army]]. The motto, ''Izzat-o-Iqbal'', was retained but not without controversy.  In 1954, as part of the process of Indianisation of the armed forces, the government ordered that regimental mottos be changed to [[Hindi]] or [[Sanskrit]].  The final decision was, however, left with the then [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]], General [[Rajendrasinhji Jadeja|Rajendra Sinhji]].  The Regiment of Artillery made a forceful case for retaining its motto, as it was felt the most suitable in content and meaning. It was finally decided to retain the motto, though it was in [[Persian language|Persian]], in time for the 1957 double celebrations of the centennial of the Indian Rebellion and the 150th sequicentennial anniversary of the Indian Artillery.<ref name="RegimentofArtillery"/>
The motto of the Regiment of Artillery is ''Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal'' ''(Everywhere with Honour and Glory)'', the [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] equivalent of the Royal Artillery motto ''Ubique Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt'' (Everywhere that Right and Glory Lead). The Hindustani motto honours the memory of the [[Hindu]] and [[Muslim]] gunners of the [[British Indian Army]]. The motto, ''Izzat-o-Iqbal'', was retained but not without controversy.  In 1954, as part of the process of Indianisation of the armed forces, the government ordered that regimental mottos be changed to [[Hindi]] or [[Sanskrit]].  The final decision was, however, left with the then [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]], General [[Rajendrasinhji Jadeja|Rajendra Sinhji]].  The Regiment of Artillery made a forceful case for retaining its motto, as it was felt the most suitable in content and meaning. It was finally decided to retain the motto, though it was in [[Persian language|Persian]], in time for the 1957 double celebrations of the centennial of the Indian Rebellion and the 150th sequicentennial anniversary of the Indian Artillery.<ref name="RegimentofArtillery"/>


==Regimental Flag and Colours==
=== Flag and Colours ===
[[File:Flag-of-Indian-Army-Regiment of Artillery.svg|thumb|205x205px|Flag of [[Indian Army]] Regiment of Artillery]]
[[File:Flag-of-Indian-Army-Regiment of Artillery.svg|thumb|205x205px|Flag of [[Indian Army]] Regiment of Artillery]]
A distinctive red and navy blue background the official colours of the Artillery flag forms an ideal setting for the golden gun (the Gunner crest) which forms the centrepiece of the flag.  Gunner folklore had it, that the red and blue represents the flash and the smoke of the gun, though this is not quite true.  Red has been traditionally common to all combat arms - Infantry, Armour and Artillery.  The blue in the Artillery flag was taken from the ribbon of the 'Star of India' which had been incorporated into the Artillery crest.  The original colour was light blue, but since a similar shade was adopted by the Corps of Signals, it was changed to navy blue to avoid confusion.
A distinctive red and navy blue background the official colours of the Artillery flag forms an ideal setting for the golden gun (the Gunner crest) which forms the centrepiece of the flag.  Gunner folklore had it, that the red and blue represents the flash and the smoke of the gun, though this is not quite true.  Red has been traditionally common to all combat arms Infantry, Armour and Artillery.  The blue in the Artillery flag was taken from the ribbon of the 'Star of India' which had been incorporated into the Artillery crest.  The original colour was light blue, but since a similar shade was adopted by the Corps of Signals, it was changed to navy blue to avoid confusion.


While the Artillery Regiments carry navy blue and burgundy red President's Banners, the guns are regarded as the regimental colours and are accorded the same compliments as the Standards, Guidons and Colours of the Cavalry and Infantry and the Banners of the Light Infantry and Services and Corps.
While the Artillery Regiments carry navy blue and burgundy red President's Banners, the guns are regarded as the regimental colours and are accorded the same compliments as the Standards, Guidons and Colours of the Cavalry and Infantry and the Banners of the Light Infantry and Services and Corps.


==Raising day (Gunner’s Day)==
=== Raising day (Gunner's Day) ===
5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery, the first unit of the Indian Regiment of Artillery was raised on 28 September 1827 as the 8th Company of the Golandaz battalion, Bombay
5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery, the first unit of the Indian Regiment of Artillery, was raised on 28 September 1827 as the 8th Company of the Golandaz battalion, Bombay
Foot Artillery. This also marked the raising of the first native artillery unit and is celebrated as the day of raising of the Indian Regiment of Artillery.<ref name="Mukherjee"/> The battery is presently part of the 57 Field Regiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2010/nov01-10/h14.htm|title=COAS Visits 57 Field Regiment|date=2010-11-01|access-date=2022-01-18}}</ref>
Foot Artillery. This also marked the raising of the first native artillery unit and is celebrated as the day of raising of the Indian Regiment of Artillery.<ref name="Mukherjee"/> The battery is presently part of the 57 Field Regiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2010/nov01-10/h14.htm|title=COAS Visits 57 Field Regiment|date=2010-11-01|access-date=2022-01-18}}</ref>


==Regiment composition==
=== Composition ===
As in many of pre-independence regiments, many of the units have been allotted on the basis of regional, historical or class / caste backgrounds – e.g. Sikhs, ahirs, Dogras, Rajputs, jats, Brahmins, Gurkhas, Marathas and SICs (South Indian Classes).
As in many pre-independence regiments, many of the units have been allotted on the basis of regional, historical or class/caste backgrounds – e.g. Sikhs, Ahirs, Dogras, Rajputs, Jats, Brahmins, Gurkhas, Marathas and SICs (South Indian Classes).


==Commemorative Postal Stamps==
=== Women in the Regiment of Artillery ===
In the year 2023, it was decided to allow the entry of women officers in the Regiment of Artillery. In April 2023, five women officers who had passed out from [[Officers Training Academy]], [[Chennai]], joined their respective units.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-a-first-5-women-army-officers-commissioned-into-artillery-regiments/article66792443.ece|title=In historic first, five women cadets commissioned into army's artillery regiment|newspaper=The Hindu |date=2023-04-30|access-date=2023-06-18}}</ref>
 
=== Commemorative Postal Stamps ===
Commemorative stamps have been released were released by [[India Post]] depicting field artillery, a gunner and howitzer from Mountain Battery on the Golden Jubilee of the Regiment of Artillery and on the 50th anniversary of the [[9 (Parachute) Field Regiment]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/142035-Field_artillery_and_helicopter-Defence_Campaign-India|title=Field Artillery and helicopter|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref><ref>[http://www.indiapost.gov.in/APS/APS/apsweb/commemoratives_on_artillery.htm 15th Jan 1985 Stamp]''[[India Post]]''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417165241/http://www.indiapost.gov.in/APS/APS/apsweb/commemoratives_on_artillery.htm |date=17 April 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/163844-50th_Anniversary_of_9th_Parachute_Field_Artillery_Regiment-India|title=50th Anniversary of 9th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>
Commemorative stamps have been released were released by [[India Post]] depicting field artillery, a gunner and howitzer from Mountain Battery on the Golden Jubilee of the Regiment of Artillery and on the 50th anniversary of the [[9 (Parachute) Field Regiment]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/142035-Field_artillery_and_helicopter-Defence_Campaign-India|title=Field Artillery and helicopter|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref><ref>[http://www.indiapost.gov.in/APS/APS/apsweb/commemoratives_on_artillery.htm 15th Jan 1985 Stamp]''[[India Post]]''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417165241/http://www.indiapost.gov.in/APS/APS/apsweb/commemoratives_on_artillery.htm |date=17 April 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://colnect.com/en/stamps/stamp/163844-50th_Anniversary_of_9th_Parachute_Field_Artillery_Regiment-India|title=50th Anniversary of 9th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>
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}}


== School and Centre==
== School and Centre==
[[File:School of artillery.jpg|thumb|305x305px|School of Artillery, Deolali]]
[[File:School of artillery.jpg|thumb|305x305px|School of Artillery, Deolali]]
The School of Artillery is the premier institution for imparting training to the officers of the regiment. In pre-Independent India, the school was established in [[Kakol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]] in 1918. In 1941, the present school was established at [[Deolali]] in [[Nashik district]] of [[Maharashtra]]. The Anti - Aircraft School at Karachi was also moved to Deolali and merged with the School of Artillery as one of its Wings in 1947. The Coastal Artillery Wing of the School, which was located at Bombay, was handed over to the Indian Navy in 1965. The Air Defence Wing, after bifurcation, has moved to [[Gopalpur, Odisha|Gopalpur]] in Orissa and has been renamed as the [[Army Air Defence College|Air Defence Guided Missile School]]. The Air observation post wing was renamed as Aviation Wing in Jan 1982. [[Army Aviation Corps (India)#Training|Combat Army Aviation Training School]] (CATS) was established in April 2004 and the Aviation Wing of the School was completely amalgamated with the CATS in May 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1PLargeTC1C.aspx?MnId=AE5kyV8XU/jQ5P/bLK48Bw==&ParentID=w+bJc39VZsErhum4UtM84g==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title= School of Arty|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>
The School of Artillery is the premier institution for imparting training to the officers of the regiment. In pre-Independent India, the school was established in [[Kakol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]] in 1918. In 1941, the present school was established at [[Deolali]] in [[Nashik district]] of [[Maharashtra]]. The Anti Aircraft School at Karachi was also moved to Deolali and merged with the School of Artillery as one of its Wings in 1947. The Coastal Artillery Wing of the School, which was located at Bombay, was handed over to the Indian Navy in 1965. The Air Defence Wing, after bifurcation, has moved to [[Gopalpur, Odisha|Gopalpur]] in Orissa and has been renamed as the [[Army Air Defence College|Air Defence and Guided Missile School]] (now Army Air Defence College). The air observation post wing was renamed as Aviation Wing in Jan 1982. [[Army Aviation Corps (India)#Training|Combat Army Aviation Training School]] (CAATS) was established in April 2004 and the Aviation Wing of the School was completely amalgamated with the CAATS in May 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1PLargeTC1C.aspx?MnId=AE5kyV8XU/jQ5P/bLK48Bw==&ParentID=w+bJc39VZsErhum4UtM84g==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title= School of Arty|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>


[[File:Arty Centre Hyderabad.jpg|thumb|195th Gunners' Day Celebration at Artillery Centre, Hyderabad, 28 September 2021]]
[[File:Arty Centre Hyderabad.jpg|thumb|195th Gunners' Day Celebration at Golconda Artillery Centre, Hyderabad, 28 September 2021]]
The Mountain Artillery Training Centre came into being at Dehradun in August 1920 moving to Lucknow in October 1921 and in 1928 to Ambala.<ref>{{cite book|last=Graham|first=C.A.L.|title=The History of the Indian Mountain Artillery|date=1957|publisher=Gale and Polden Ltd, Aldershot|pages=439–442}}</ref> The Field Artillery Training Centre came up at Mathura. By 1947, there were six separate training centres, which were amalgamated to form the Royal Indian Artillery Centre (North). On 7 April 1948, the ‘Royal’ prefix was dropped and the Nasik centre was the sole remaining centre. At present there are two Artillery Training Centres – the Centre at [[Nashik Road]], Maharashtra has the capacity to train 3,000-4,000 recruits at any given time. The other centre is at Golconda in [[Hyderabad]], Telangana which came into being on August 15, 1962. The Golconda centre has three training regiments and presently trains 2900 recruits at a time.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=vtW/oKql9jXObOz1gaW/Bg==&ParentID=yJE4wJBdSlVFFGzvOtJPIA==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title= Arty Centre, Hyderabad|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref> The Regiment of Artillery Museum, Artillery Records and Artillery Depot are located in Nashik Road.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1PLargeTC1C.aspx?MnId=zLXAZ04BWDc8Q6juzad4Ng==&ParentID=efX9oojZUvG+RWrCUxd8cQ==&flag=C+fH2lK5BQUjKm7KSafrUQ==|title=Depot Regiment|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>
The Mountain Artillery Training Centre came into being at Dehradun in August 1920 moving to Lucknow in October 1921 and in 1928 to Ambala.<ref>{{cite book|last=Graham|first=C.A.L.|title=The History of the Indian Mountain Artillery|date=1957|publisher=Gale and Polden Ltd, Aldershot|pages=439–442}}</ref> The Field Artillery Training Centre came up at Mathura. By 1947, there were six separate training centres, which were amalgamated to form the Royal Indian Artillery Centre (North). On 7 April 1948, the 'Royal' prefix was dropped and the Nasik centre was the sole remaining centre. At present there are two Artillery Training Centres – the Centre at [[Nashik Road]], Maharashtra has the capacity to train 3,000-4,000 recruits at any given time. The other centre is at Golconda in [[Hyderabad]], Telangana which came into being on August 15, 1962.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/830-new-recruits-pass-out-from-artillery-centre/articleshow/81728200.cms|title=830 new recruits pass out from Artillery Centre|newspaper=The Times of India |date=28 March 2021 }}</ref> The Golconda centre has three training regiments and presently trains 2900 recruits at a time.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=vtW/oKql9jXObOz1gaW/Bg==&ParentID=yJE4wJBdSlVFFGzvOtJPIA==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ==|title= Arty Centre, Hyderabad|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref> The Regiment of Artillery Museum, Artillery Records and Artillery Depot are located in Nashik Road.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1PLargeTC1C.aspx?MnId=zLXAZ04BWDc8Q6juzad4Ng==&ParentID=efX9oojZUvG+RWrCUxd8cQ==&flag=C+fH2lK5BQUjKm7KSafrUQ==|title=Depot Regiment|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/variety/guns-of-nashik/|title=Guns of Nashik|date=2025-03-02|access-date=2025-06-10}}</ref>


==Units==
==Units==
[[File:Indian Army Aviation Corps and Air Defence Arty Joint Display Ex 2.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[Dhanush (howitzer)]]|alt=|right]]
[[File:Indian Army Aviation Corps and Air Defence Arty Joint Display Ex 2.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[Dhanush (howitzer)]]|alt=|right]]{{See also|List of regiments and corps of the Indian Army#Artillery}}
Artillery regiments can be Light Regiments, Medium Regiments, Field Regiments, Missile Regiments, Rocket Regiments and SATA (Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Regiments, depending on the nature of guns or equipment. There are two Airborne Artillery Regiments – [[9 (Parachute) Field Regiment]] and [[17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila & Poongli Bridge)|17 (Parachute) Field Regiment]]. [[Self-propelled artillery]] regiments carry the ''(SP)'' suffix to their names.
Artillery regiments can be Light Regiments, Medium Regiments, Field Regiments, Missile Regiments, Rocket Regiments and SATA (Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Regiments, depending on the nature of guns or equipment. There are two Airborne Artillery Regiments – [[9 (Parachute) Field Regiment]] and [[17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila & Poongli Bridge)|17 (Parachute) Field Regiment]]. [[Self-propelled artillery]] regiments carry the ''(SP)'' suffix to their names.


An Artillery Regiment is commanded by an officer of the rank of [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]. His second in command (2IC) is a of a [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]] rank. Most regiments have four batteries.  In addition to the headquarter battery, the regiment has three [[Artillery battery|batteries]] (a section of guns), each commanded by officers of the rank of Major or Captain (called Battery Commanders).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/know-the-indian-army-regiment-of-artillery-some-interesting-facts-about-lethal-combat-arm-1270011|title=Know The Indian Army, Regiment Of Artillery: Some Interesting Facts About Lethal Combat Arm|date=2020-06-25|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref> The three batteries are numbered and may be also designated as P, Q and R batteries. Officers and other ranks from service arms, viz [[Army Medical Corps (India)|Army Medical Corps]] and [[Indian Army Corps of EME|Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME)]] also form part of the unit.
An Artillery Regiment is commanded by an officer of the rank of [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]. His second in command (2IC) is a of a [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]] rank. Most regiments have four batteries.  In addition to the headquarter battery, the regiment has three [[Artillery battery|batteries]] (a section of guns), each commanded by officers of the rank of Major or Captain (called Battery Commanders).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/know-the-indian-army-regiment-of-artillery-some-interesting-facts-about-lethal-combat-arm-1270011|title=Know The Indian Army, Regiment Of Artillery: Some Interesting Facts About Lethal Combat Arm|date=2020-06-25|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref> The three batteries are numbered and may be also designated as P, Q and R batteries. Each battery has six guns or missile launchers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/news/column/ajai-shukla-indian-armys-achilles-heel-artillery-power/20220610.htm|title=Indian Army's Achilles Heel: Artillery Power
|date=2022-06-10|access-date=2026-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/02/army-to-get-indigenously-manufactured-rockets-that-can-strike-up-to-300-km-in-rs-292-crore-contract|title=Army seals Rs 292 crore contract for indigenously manufactured rockets that can strike up to 300 km|date=2026-01-02|access-date=2026-01-05}}</ref> Officers and other ranks from service arms, viz [[Army Medical Corps (India)|Army Medical Corps]] and [[Indian Army Corps of EME|Electronics and Mechanical Engineers]] also form part of the unit.


Three to four regiments are grouped together to form a [[Brigade]] – which are part of Infantry or Armoured and recently Artillery [[Division (military)|Divisions]]. Independent Brigades are under Corps or Commands. Since the 1990s, three Artillery Divisions have been raised –  
Three to four regiments are grouped to form a [[Brigade]] – which is part of Infantry or Armoured and recently Artillery [[Division (military)|Divisions]]. Independent Brigades are under Corps or Commands. Since the 1990s, three Artillery Divisions have been raised –  
*40 Artillery Division (Deep Strikers Division) – [[Ambala]], Haryana, under [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/kharga-corps-receives-victory-flame-188908|title=Kharga Corps receives victory flame|date=2020-12-25|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>
*40 Artillery Division (Deep Strikers Division) – [[Ambala]], Haryana, under [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]] of [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/kharga-corps-receives-victory-flame-188908|title=Kharga Corps receives victory flame|date=2020-12-25|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>
*41 Artillery Division (Agnibaaz Division) – [[Pune]], Maharashtra, under [[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-army-and-maharashtra-police-conduct-joint-anti-terror-exercise-in-pune/articleshow/78638864.cms?from=mdr|title=Indian Army and Maharashtra police conduct joint anti-terror exercise in Pune|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=2020-10-13|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1812814|title=Raising Day : Agnibaaz Division|date=2022-04-02|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>
*41 Artillery Division (Agnibaaz Division) – [[Pune]], Maharashtra, under [[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]] of [[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]]<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-10-01 |title=Lt General Dhiraj Seth, GOC, Sudarshan Chakra Corps visited Agnibaaz Division |url=https://twitter.com/IaSouthern/status/1443746814155321344 |access-date=2021-10-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-army-and-maharashtra-police-conduct-joint-anti-terror-exercise-in-pune/articleshow/78638864.cms?from=mdr|title=Indian Army and Maharashtra police conduct joint anti-terror exercise in Pune|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=2020-10-13|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1812814|title=Raising Day : Agnibaaz Division|date=2022-04-02|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>
*42 Artillery Division (Strategic Strikers Division) – [[Alwar]], Rajasthan, under [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1316368194085380096?lang=en|title=Army Commander Sapta Shakti Command visited "Strategic Strikers Division" and reviewed operational preparedness|date=2020-10-14|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>
*42 Artillery Division (Strategic Strikers Division) – [[Bassi, India|Bassi]], Rajasthan, under [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]] of [[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adgpi/status/1316368194085380096?lang=en|title=Army Commander Sapta Shakti Command visited "Strategic Strikers Division" and reviewed operational preparedness|date=2020-10-14|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>
 
A full list of present artillery regiments can be accessed at - [[List of regiments of the Indian Army#Artillery|List of artillery regiments of Indian Army]].
[[File:M 777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzer passes through the Rajpath, at the 70th Republic Day Celebrations, in New Delhi on January 26, 2019.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[M777 howitzer]]]]
[[File:M 777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzer passes through the Rajpath, at the 70th Republic Day Celebrations, in New Delhi on January 26, 2019.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[M777 howitzer]]]]


==Equipment==
==Equipment==
; {{See also|List of equipment of the Indian Army#Howitzers and field guns|List of equipment of the Indian Army#Close-range}}
; Light Artillery (Mortars)
; Light Artillery (Mortars)
* 120&nbsp;mm E1 Light Mortar
* 120&nbsp;mm E1 Light Mortar
[[File:Self propelled artillery.jpg|thumb|305x305px|FV433 Abbot SPG (self-propelled artillery)]]  
[[File:Self propelled artillery.jpg|thumb|305x305px|FV433 Abbot SPG (self-propelled artillery)]]  
; Field Artillery
; Field Artillery
* 105&nbsp;mm [[Indian Field Gun]][https://medium.com/indra-networks/indian-light-field-gun-the-105-mm-that-didnt-quit-aace4ce6b980]
* 105&nbsp;mm [[Indian Field Gun]] and Light Field Gun
; Medium Artillery
; Medium Artillery
* 130&nbsp;mm [[130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)|M-46 Field Gun]]; including 155&nbsp;mm upgraded versions - by [[Soltam Systems]] and by [[Ordnance Factory Board]] (Sharang)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/ailing-artillery-gun-programme-back-on-track-36387|title=Ailing artillery gun programme back on track|date=2020-02-06|access-date=2022-01-18}}</ref>
* 130&nbsp;mm [[130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)|M-46 Field Gun]]; including 155&nbsp;mm upgraded versions by [[Soltam Systems]] and by [[Ordnance Factory Board]] (Sharang)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/ailing-artillery-gun-programme-back-on-track-36387|title=Ailing artillery gun programme back on track|date=2020-02-06|access-date=2022-01-18}}</ref>
* 155&nbsp;mm [[Haubits FH77/A|Haubits FH77/B Howitzer]]
* 155&nbsp;mm [[Haubits FH77/A|Haubits FH77/B Howitzer]]
* 155&nbsp;mm [[Dhanush (howitzer)]]
* 155&nbsp;mm [[Dhanush (howitzer)]]
* 155&nbsp;mm [[M777 howitzer]]
* 155&nbsp;mm [[M777 howitzer]]
* 155&nbsp;mm [[DRDO Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)]] {{refn|group=nb|Under development}}
By 2040, all medium artillery regiments will be converted to 155&nbsp; mm standard.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2022-09-27 |title=LAC standoff {{!}} Army deploys entire range of medium-range artillery and long-range rockets as part of reorientation |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lac-standoff-army-deploys-entire-range-of-medium-range-artillery-and-long-range-rockets-as-part-of-reorientation/article65941417.ece |access-date=2022-09-27 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This is part of [[Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan]] (FARP), cleared in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Rahul |date=2022-09-27 |title=Indian Army eyes major firepower upgrade to counter China |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-eyes-major-firepower-upgrade-to-counter-china-101664280649581.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
By 2040, all medium artillery regiments will be converted to 155&nbsp;mm standard.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2022-09-27 |title=LAC standoff {{!}} Army deploys entire range of medium range artillery and long range rockets as part of reorientation |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lac-standoff-army-deploys-entire-range-of-medium-range-artillery-and-long-range-rockets-as-part-of-reorientation/article65941417.ece |access-date=2022-09-27 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This is part of [[Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan]] (FARP), cleared in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Rahul |date=2022-09-27 |title=Indian Army eyes major firepower upgrade to counter China |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-eyes-major-firepower-upgrade-to-counter-china-101664280649581.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:K-9 VAJRA-T passes through the Rajpath, at the 71st Republic Day Celebrations, at Rajpath, in New Delhi on January 26, 2020.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[K9 Thunder#India|K9 Vajra]]]]
[[File:K-9 VAJRA-T passes through the Rajpath, at the 71st Republic Day Celebrations, at Rajpath, in New Delhi on January 26, 2020.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[K9 Thunder#India|K9 Vajra]]]]
; Self-propelled Artillery
; Self-propelled Artillery
* 155&nbsp;mm [[K9 Thunder#India|K9 Vajra]]
* 155&nbsp;mm [[K9 Thunder#India|K9 Vajra]]
; Rocket Artillery
; Rocket Artillery
* 122&nbsp;mm [[BM-21|BM-21 Grad Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher]]
* 122&nbsp;mm [[BM-21 Grad|BM-21 Grad Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher (Agnibaan)]]
* 214&nbsp;mm [[Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher]]
* 214&nbsp;mm [[Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher]]
* 300&nbsp;mm [[BM-30|BM-30 Smerch Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher]]  
* 300&nbsp;mm [[BM-30|BM-30 Smerch Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher]]  
; Missile Artillery
; Missile Artillery
* [[BrahMos|Brahmos Missile System]]  
* [[BrahMos|Brahmos Missile System]]  
* [[Agni Missile System]]
* [[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi Missile System]]
* [[Prahaar missile]]
* [[Pralay (missile)|Pralay missile]]{{refn|group=nb|Under development}}
* [[Shaurya missile]]
  [[File:The ‘PINAKA” multi barrel rocket launching system, passes through the Rajpath during the 58th Republic Day Parade - 2007, in New Delhi on January 26, 2007.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher]]]]
  [[File:The ‘PINAKA” multi barrel rocket launching system, passes through the Rajpath during the 58th Republic Day Parade - 2007, in New Delhi on January 26, 2007.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher]]]]
; Surveillance & Target Acquisition
; Surveillance & Target Acquisition
* [[IAI Heron|UAV Drones (Heron) System]]
* [[EL/M-2084|ELM Mast Mobile Radar System]]
* [[Weapon Locating Radar|WLR (Weapons Locating Radar) System]]
* [[Weapon Locating Radar|WLR (Weapons Locating Radar) System]]
* [[LORROS|LORROS (Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation Systems)]]
* [[LORROS|LORROS (Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation Systems)]]
* [[Swathi Weapon Locating Radar|MBFSR (Medium Range Battlefield Surveillance Radar) System]]
* [[Swathi Weapon Locating Radar|MBFSR (Medium Range Battlefield Surveillance Radar) System]]
* [[BEL Battle Field Surveillance Radar|Short Range Battle Field Surveillance Radar System]]
[[File:Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher System passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 67th Republic Day Parade 2016, in New Delhi on January 26, 2016.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[BM-30 Smerch|Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher System]]|alt=|right]]
[[File:Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher System passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 67th Republic Day Parade 2016, in New Delhi on January 26, 2016.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[BM-30 Smerch|Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher System]]|alt=|right]]
; Command and control
*[[Artillery Combat Command and Control System]]


==Notable personnel==
==Notable personnel==
[[File:Brahmos WPN System passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2015, in New Delhi on January 23, 2015.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[BrahMos]] missiles|alt=|right]]
[[File:Brahmos WPN System passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2015, in New Delhi on January 23, 2015.jpg|thumb|305x305px|[[BrahMos]] missiles|alt=|right]]
;[[Governor (India)|Governor of States of India]]
;[[Governor (India)|Governor of States of India]]
*General [[Om Prakash Malhotra|O.P. Malhotra]], {{small|PVSM}} - Punjab (1990-1991)  
*General [[Om Prakash Malhotra|O.P. Malhotra]], {{small|PVSM}} Punjab (1990–1991)  
*Lieutenant General [[J.F.R. Jacob]], {{small|PVSM}} - Goa (1998 to 1999) and Punjab (1999 to 2003)  
*Lieutenant General [[J.F.R. Jacob]], {{small|PVSM}} Goa (1998 to 1999) and Punjab (1999 to 2003)  
* Lieutenant General [[Krishna Mohan Seth|K.M. Seth]], {{small|PVSM, AVSM}} - Tripura (2002-2003), Chhattisgarh (2003-2007) and Madhya Pradesh (2004)  
* Lieutenant General [[Krishna Mohan Seth|K.M. Seth]], {{small|PVSM, AVSM}} Tripura (2002–2003), Chhattisgarh (2003–2007) and Madhya Pradesh (2004)  
*General [[Sunith Francis Rodrigues|S.F. Rodrigues]], {{small|PVSM, VSM}} - Punjab (2004-2009)  
*General [[Sunith Francis Rodrigues|S.F. Rodrigues]], {{small|PVSM, VSM}} Punjab (2004–2009)  
*Lieutenant General [[Madan Mohan Lakhera|M.M. Lakhera]], {{small|PVSM, AVSM, VSM}} - Governor of Mizoram (2006-2011) & Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (2004-2006) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2006).
*Lieutenant General [[Madan Mohan Lakhera|M.M. Lakhera]], {{small|PVSM, AVSM, VSM}} Governor of Mizoram (2006–2011) & Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (2004–2006) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2006).
*Captain [[Shekhar Dutt]], {{small|SM, IAS}} - Chhattisgarh (2010-2014)
*Captain [[Shekhar Dutt]], {{small|SM, IAS}} Chhattisgarh (2010–2014)
;[[Commander-in-Chief, India|Commanders-in-Chief of India]]
;[[Commander-in-Chief, India|Commanders-in-Chief of India]]
* Field Marshal [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts]], {{small|VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, VD, PC, FRSGS}} (November 1885 – April 1893)
* Field Marshal [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts]], {{small|VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, VD, PC, FRSGS}} (November 1885 – April 1893)
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;[[Victoria Cross]] winners  
;[[Victoria Cross]] winners  
* [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] -
* [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] -
**[[Bernard Diamond (VC)|Sergeant Bernard Diamond]], [[Richard Fitzgerald|Gunner Richard Fitzgerald]], [[Hastings Edward Harrington|Lieutenant Hastings Edward Harrington]], [[James Hills-Johnes|Lieutenant James Hills-Johnes]], [[Edward Jennings (VC)|Rough Rider Edward Jennings]], [[Thomas Laughnan|Gunner Thomas Laughnan]], [[Hugh McInnes|Gunner Hugh McInnes]], [[William Olpherts|Captain William Olpherts]], [[James Park (VC)|Gunner James Park]], [[George Renny (VC)|Captain George Alexander Renny]], [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Lieutenant Frederick Roberts]], [[Jacob Thomas (VC)|Bombardier Jacob Thomas]], [[Henry Tombs|Lieutenant Colonel Henry Tombs]], [[Richard Harte Keatinge|Major Richard Keatinge]].
**[[Bernard Diamond (VC)|Sergeant Bernard Diamond]], [[Richard Fitzgerald (VC)|Gunner Richard Fitzgerald]], [[Hastings Edward Harrington|Lieutenant Hastings Edward Harrington]], [[James Hills-Johnes|Lieutenant James Hills-Johnes]], [[Edward Jennings (VC)|Rough Rider Edward Jennings]], [[Thomas Laughnan|Gunner Thomas Laughnan]], [[Hugh McInnes|Gunner Hugh McInnes]], [[William Olpherts|Captain William Olpherts]], [[James Park (VC)|Gunner James Park]], [[George Renny (VC)|Captain George Alexander Renny]], [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Lieutenant Frederick Roberts]], [[Jacob Thomas (VC)|Bombardier Jacob Thomas]], [[Henry Tombs|Lieutenant Colonel Henry Tombs]], [[Richard Harte Keatinge|Major Richard Keatinge]].
* World War II -
* World War II -
**[[Captain]] [[Umrao Singh|Umrao Singh Yadav]]
**[[Captain]] [[Umrao Singh|Umrao Singh Yadav]]


;Post Independence -
; Post-Independence -


*[[Ashok Chakra]] winners -
*[[Ashok Chakra]] winners -
**Major [[D. Sreeram Kumar]]
**Major [[D. Sreeram Kumar]]
*[[Maha Vir Chakra]] winners -
*[[Maha Vir Chakra]] winners
**Major General Mohindar Singh
**Major General Mohindar Singh
**Major Sushil Kumar Mathur  
**Major Sushil Kumar Mathur  
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**Captain Pratap Singh
**Captain Pratap Singh
*[[Kirti Chakra]] winners -
*[[Kirti Chakra]] winners -
**Major Padmanabhan Srikumar
**Major Braj Kishore Sharma
**Major Braj Kishore Sharma
**Major Kumandur Prabhakar Vinay<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3540|title=Major Kumandur Prabhakar Vinay|access-date=2023-08-29}}</ref>
**Major Sukhwinder Jeet Singh Randhawa<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3326|title=Major Sukhwinder Jeet Singh Randhawa|access-date=2023-08-29}}</ref>
**Major Krishna Murthy Balasubramaniam<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3322|title=Major Krishna Murthy Balasubramaniam|access-date=2023-08-29}}</ref>
**Major Gurcharan Singh<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1952/E-2286-1952-0017-106013.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 17, page 126|date=1952-01-26|access-date=2024-07-12}}</ref>
**Captain (Later Colonel) Arjun Singh Guleria<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3310|title=AS Guleria|date=|access-date=2024-07-12}}</ref>
**Havildar Indra Bahadur Gurung<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3250|title=Havildar Indra Bahadur Gurung|access-date=2023-08-29}}</ref>
**Lance Naik Attar Singh
**Lance Naik Attar Singh
**Naik Dilwar Khan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/jan/doc2025127491501.pdf|title=List of personnel being Conferred Gallantry And Distinguished Service Awards on the occasion of Republic Day-2025|date=2025-01-25|access-date=2025-08-25}}</ref>
**Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/aug/doc2025814609001.pdf|title=List of personnel is being conferred with awards and defence decorations on the occasion of Independence Day 2025|date=2025-08-14|access-date=2025-08-22}}</ref>
[[File:Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi) passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018, in New Delhi on January 26, 2018.jpg|thumb|305x305px| Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi)|alt=|right]]
[[File:Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi) passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018, in New Delhi on January 26, 2018.jpg|thumb|305x305px| Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi)|alt=|right]]


;Others
;Others
* Lieutenant General Prem Singh Gyani - First Indian officer to be commissioned out of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1932. He became the first Indian officer to command an Indian field regiment, the [[2 Medium Regiment (India)|2 Indian Field Regiment]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=ZOLP7y58yrOYh4+Ec28PJw==&ParentID=4Ox6WcvsSOPVioRxvV0wuw==&flag=dGdDWEcez8KgL+qj0AZpiA==|title= Evolution of Regiment of Artillery|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>
* Lieutenant General Prem Singh Gyani First Indian officer to be commissioned out of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1932. He became the first Indian officer to command an Indian field regiment, the [[2 Medium Regiment (India)|2 Indian Field Regiment]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=ZOLP7y58yrOYh4+Ec28PJw==&ParentID=4Ox6WcvsSOPVioRxvV0wuw==&flag=dGdDWEcez8KgL+qj0AZpiA==|title= Evolution of Regiment of Artillery|date=|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>
*Brigadier Furdoon Siavax Byramji Mehta - first Indian Artillery officer to wear the wings of the Air Observation Post (Air OP) in 1944, now known as [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]],  believed to be the only Indian officer to have flown with a British Air Observation Post Squadron in the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pioneer-of-indian-army-aviation-corps-not-averse-to-risk-7226094/|title= Brigadier Furdoon Siavax Byramji Mehta: Pioneer of Indian Army Aviation Corps, not averse to risk|date=2021-03-13|access-date=2021-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2021/04/27/furdoon-duck-mehta-flew-artillery-observation-missions-support/|title=Furdoon 'Duck' Mehta, flew artillery observation missions in support of the 14th Army - obituary|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=2021-04-27|access-date=2021-05-09|last1=Obituaries |first1=Telegraph }}</ref>
*Brigadier Furdoon Siavax Byramji Mehta first Indian Artillery officer to wear the wings of the Air Observation Post (Air OP) in 1944, now known as [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]],  believed to be the only Indian officer to have flown with a British Air Observation Post Squadron in the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pioneer-of-indian-army-aviation-corps-not-averse-to-risk-7226094/|title= Brigadier Furdoon Siavax Byramji Mehta: Pioneer of Indian Army Aviation Corps, not averse to risk|date=2021-03-13|access-date=2021-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2021/04/27/furdoon-duck-mehta-flew-artillery-observation-missions-support/|title=Furdoon 'Duck' Mehta, flew artillery observation missions in support of the 14th Army obituary|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=2021-04-27|access-date=2021-05-09|last1=Obituaries |first1=Telegraph }}</ref>


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* ''History of the Regiment of Artillery, Indian Army'', by Y. B. Gulati, D. K. Palit. Published by Leo Cooper, 1972. {{ISBN|0-85052-118-1}}.
* ''History of the Regiment of Artillery, Indian Army'', by Y. B. Gulati, D. K. Palit. Published by Leo Cooper, 1972. {{ISBN|0-85052-118-1}}.
* ''Themes of Glory: Indian Artillery in War'' by Darshan Khullar. Published by VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd, 2017. {{ISBN|978-9385563973}}.
* ''Kargil '99: Blood, Guts and Firepower'', by Gurmeet Kanwal, India Army. Regiment of Artillery. Published by Regiment of Artillery in association with Lancer Publishers, 2000. {{ISBN|1-897829-64-7}}.
* ''Kargil '99: Blood, Guts and Firepower'', by Gurmeet Kanwal, India Army. Regiment of Artillery. Published by Regiment of Artillery in association with Lancer Publishers, 2000. {{ISBN|1-897829-64-7}}.


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* [https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=nH9mRZdOzkJIMdIm6tUfZw==&ParentID=Pli4wLA/+zAUc71ZU089rQ==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ== Regiment of Artillery at Official website of the Indian Army (current)]
* [https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=nH9mRZdOzkJIMdIm6tUfZw==&ParentID=Pli4wLA/+zAUc71ZU089rQ==&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ== Regiment of Artillery at Official website of the Indian Army (current)]
* [http://wegunners.webs.com WeGunners]
* [http://wegunners.webs.com WeGunners]
* [http://4hazara.blogspot.com/ 4 Hazara Mountain Battery (FF)]
* [https://4hazara.blogspot.com/ 4 Hazara Mountain Battery (FF)]


{{Indian_Army_Arms_and_Services}}
{{Indian_Army_Arms_and_Services}}
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<!-- [[Category:Artillery of India]] -->
<!-- [[Category:Artillery of India]] -->
[[Category:Administrative corps of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:Administrative corps of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:British Indian Army regiments]]
[[Category:Nashik]]
[[Category:Nashik]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1827]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1827]]

Latest revision as of 12:07, 6 February 2026


Regiment of the Artillery
Regimental crest
Active1827–present
Country India
AllegianceRepublic of India
Branch Indian Army
TypeArtillery
Nickname(s)ARTY
Motto(s)Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory)
Regimental colorsRed and Navy Blue
   
Anniversaries28 September (Gunners' Day)
DecorationsVictoria Cross 1
Ashoka Chakra 1
Maha Vir Chakra 7
Kirti Chakra 8
Vir Chakra 92
Yudh Seva Medal 3
Shaurya Chakra 56
Sena Medal (Gallantry) 441[1][2]
Commanders
Sr. Col Comdt Regt of ArtyLt Gen Adosh Kumar PVSM, AVSM, SM
Comdt School of ArtyLt Gen NS Sarna PVSM,AVSM,SM,VSM
Notable
commanders
General PP Kumaramangalam DSO, OBE
General OP Malhotra PVSM
General SF Rodrigues PVSM, VSM
General S Padmanabhan PVSM, AVSM, VSM
General Deepak Kapoor PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM
Insignia
Regimental Colors
27 feet Cannon at Narnala fort

The Regiment of Artillery is a combat support arm of the Indian Army, which provides massive firepower during all ground operations of the Indian Army. It is a successor to the Royal Indian Artillery (RIA) of British Indian Army, which itself traces its origins to the formation of Bombay Artillery in 1827.

Today, it is the second-largest arm of the Indian Army, and with its guns, mortars, rocket launchers, unmanned aerial vehicles, surveillance systems, missiles and artillery firepower. It constitutes almost one-sixth of its total strength.

Cannon of Tipu Sultan at Government Museum, Chennai

History[edit | edit source]

Early history[edit | edit source]

The Mughal Emperor Babur is popularly credited with introducing artillery to India, in the Battle of Panipat in 1526, where he decisively used gunpowder firearms and field artillery to defeat the much larger army of Ibrahim Lodhi, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, thus not just laying the foundation of the Mughal Empire but also setting a precedent for all future battles in the subcontinent. However, evidence of earlier use of guns by Bahmani kings in the battle of Adoni in 1368 and King Mohammed Shah of Gujarat in the fifteenth century have been recorded.[3] Then came the Portuguese, who for the first time introduced the man-o-war (ships) armed with cannons and introduced the concept of command of the seas in the Indian Ocean region. However, it was documented by Portuguese travellers that artillery guns were widely in use in the Indian subcontinent.[4] By the early 16th century, Zamorin, the ruler of Calicut, had begun to emulate the Portuguese and began to arm his ships with naval gun pieces.[5]

The Mughals further expanded and improved their artillery arm and used it successfully to expand their empire. Though the artillery arm of the Marathas was weaker than many of their contemporaries, Balaji Baji Rao organised the arm in professional lines and Madhavji Sindhia established a fairly efficient gun manufacturing foundry under the supervision of European gun makers. During the 18th century, Tipu Sultan was notable for using guns, mortars, rockets and howitzers to effective use; the Nizam of Hyderabad manufactured his own guns with the help of his French officers and the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh pioneered the development of horse-artillery on the same lines as that of the East India Company.[3][5]

East India Company[edit | edit source]

Nizam era brass cannon at Chowmahalla Palace Museum

The English, who were regular users of cannons in their ships, initially used guns landed from their fleet and manned by naval ratings detached for the purpose.[6] They first placed 12 guns near the village of Armegaon along the Coromandel coast. The gunners were called Topasses from the Portuguese word Tope. In 1668, two companies of East India Company's artillery were formed at Bombay. The other presidencies followed suit. In 1748, the Court of Directors of the East India Company ordered regular companies of artillery to be formed, one at each for the Presidencies of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay. The power of artillery in defining the military power at that time was so pervasive that initially the British did not permit the natives to join the artillery arm. As the artillery was expanded, sufficient European recruits could not be mustered, the company gradually permitted the natives to join the artillery in a small percentage. These Indian gunners recruited as support staff were called as Golandaz, Gun Lashkars, Tindals and Serangs. A few Indian mountain artillery batteries, officered by the British, were raised in the 19th century and formed part of the Royal Artillery.[5][7]

Bengal Horse Artillery, 1860

The Royal Indian Artillery (RIA) of the British Indian Army was raised on 28 September 1827, as a part of the Bombay Army, a presidency army of the Bombay Presidency. It was later renamed as 5 Bombay Mountain Battery. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 sparked off in Meerut on 10 May 1857. Many of the Indian personnel of the Bengal Artillery were involved in the mutiny and the three battalions of foot artillery then in existence were all disbanded in 1862.[8] Subsequently, all Indian artillery units were disbanded except for a few.[9] The whole of the variously European artillery and the corps of engineers were transferred to the Royal corps under special conditions. The mutiny of all the native Bengal artillery, and other weighty considerations, had decided the Government to have no native field artillery in future. All the native artillery was therefore gradually disbanded. The only exceptions to this rule were the four mountain batteries in the Punjab Irregular Force (later the Punjab Frontier Force), and two native batteries in Bombay. These Nos. 1 and 2 companies Golandaz, originally used to garrison Aden and man the Jacobabad mountain train in turn, eventually became Nos. 1 and 2 Bombay Mountain Batteries, and later 5 and 6 (Bombay) Mountain Batteries. Another exception were the four field batteries of the Hyderabad Contingent. The whole of this contingent had done excellent service in 1857, and was retained intact. In future, with these exceptions, the artillery service in India was to be found by batteries and companies of the Royal Artillery.[10] Many of the mountain batteries had soldiers from the disbanded horse artillery regiments of the Sikhs. They saw extensive action in the North West Frontier and the Afghan wars.[6]

Crown service[edit | edit source]

A mountain artillery crew from the British Indian Army demonstrating assembly of the RML 2.5 inch mountain gun, ca 1895

With nearly all of the field artillery being manned by the Royal Artillery, Indian soldiers were restricted to few native drivers of the horse, field and heavy batteries. These men are enlisted from the usual fighting classes of the Punjab. The main Indian representation was in the 'Mountain Artillery'. The guns of the mountain artillery were light in calibre and were designed to be disassembled and transported by pack mule in up to eight loads for use in terrain that would otherwise be impossible to traverse with larger and more conventional artillery. The earliest guns were the tiny 3 Pounder SBML (Smooth Bore Muzzle Loading) and 4 2/5 Inch SBML howitzer of 1850s.

A chromolithograph of No. 1 Kohat Mountain Battery by Richard Simkin, c. 1896.

These were replaced in 1865 by the 7-pounder RML (rifled muzzle loading) gun and this in turn was replaced in 1879 by the significantly improved and significantly heavier RML 2.5-inch mountain gun, also known as Kipling's Screw Gun – which had barrels that split in two for transport.[5]

BL 10-pounder mountain gun crew in action, East Africa, World War I

For the Great War, the 10 Pounder BL (Breech Loading) and 2.75 Inch guns equipped the Indian Mountain Artillery. Only in the last year of the war was the next model, the QF 3.7-inch mountain howitzer introduced in East Africa. Upon entering service, it immediately became clear that this piece was vastly superior to all previous models, and it would soldier on as the standard mountain gun during the inter-war years and throughout World War II.[5]

Indian Army gunners with QF 3.7 inch mountain howitzers in Palestine, 1917

Other than the batteries which were not disbanded after the mutiny, throughout the remainder of the 19th Century, and during the years leading up to and including the Great War, a total of twenty-five more Batteries were raised. All the Indian mountain batteries consisted of Punjabis, half Muhammadan and half Hindu, the latter being almost entirely Sikhs. The gunners were specially selected for their height and strength, with a view to the rapid assembling and dismantling of the guns from off and on to the backs of the powerful mules that carry them.[11] In addition to service on the 'Frontier', Indian Mountain Batteries served in North-East India, Burma, Afghanistan, Tibet, the Middle East, Africa, and during the Great War; Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, East Africa, Persia, Palestine and of course the North-West Frontier again.[7] Throughout their history, the reputation of Indian Mountain Batteries was enhanced by the fact that they were officered by the very best the Royal Artillery had to offer. Such talented men competed to join because a tour in an Indian Mountain Battery, unlike other branches of artillery, virtually guaranteed seeing active service. Indian officers (VCO's) and other ranks were also the best available, as the relatively small number of batteries and their role as the only Indian artillery meant that there was always a surplus of volunteers, and this in turn meant that only the highest quality of recruit was accepted.[6] During the Great War, Indian gunners won 12 Order of British India, 22 Indian Order of Merit, 150 Indian Distinguished Service Medals, 232 Indian Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Médaille militaire, 3 Crucea Servicul Credincois (Romanian), 5 Serbian Gold Medals, 4 Cross of St. George, 4th Class and 1 Cross of St George, 3rd Class.[12]

Indianisation of Artillery[edit | edit source]

After the decision to Indianise the artillery arm in India, it was decided to raise three field artillery brigades and one horse artillery battery for the infantry divisions and the cavalry brigade respectively. On 15 January 1935, 'A' Field Brigade was formed to take the place of an outgoing British Field Brigade. It consisted of four batteries – the 1st of Madrasis, originally formed from the disbanded Madras Pioneers, the 2nd, Punjabi Mussalmans, the 3rd, Rajputana Rajputs and the 4th Ranghars.[6] In the following year, an Indian Artillery Training Battery was added to the establishment of the Field Artillery Training Centre at Mathura. In March 1938, a decision to enhance the number of Indian Artillery units was taken by the Commander-in-Chief, India. Indian officers were inducted in the No. 1 Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade, followed by the replacement of a second British Field Brigade by an Indian Field Brigade. Thereafter, replacement of a British Heavy Battery (Coast Artillery) and one British Anti-aircraft Battery by an Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery were to be undertaken followed by the replacement of a second British Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery by an Indian Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery.[5][13]

Branches other than the field artillery were also introduced.

  • In August 1924, a survey section of the Royal Artillery was grouped under Captain EB Culverwell, MC, at the School of Artillery, Kakul.
  • Medium artillery, [nb 1] became a part of the Regiment of Indian Artillery on 15 August 1944, when an Indian independent medium battery was raised at Peshawar to relieve a British Medium Battery in its frontier defence role. This battery was designated 201 (Independent) Medium Battery on 26 August 1944. The first of the Indian medium regiments was formed by converting the 8 Indian Field Regiment on 1 October 1944. This Regiment is in service and is known as 40 Field Regiment.[5]
  • Air observation post (Air OP), a special artillery unit under Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) control was raised during the World War II. The air observation post first came to Indian Artillery in the form of 656 Air OP Squadron RAF, which arrived on 14 November 1943. Artillery officers trained as pilots flew light unarmed Taylorcraft Auster aircraft to correct artillery gun fire and provide battle related information. 1 Air OP Flight (RIAF), the first in the Indian Army was raised on 15 August 1947.[14]

Second World War[edit | edit source]

During the Second World War, Indian artillery units saw action in Malaya, Burma, East and North Africa, the Middle East and Italy. The following units saw action[5]

Indian soldiers in action before the capture of Keren in Eritrea, 1941

By the end of Second World War, Indian gunners had won one Victoria Cross, One George Medal, 15 Military Crosses, two IOMs, 22 IDSMs, 18 Military Medals, five OBEs, One MBE, three BEMs, 13 Burma Gallantry Medals and 467 Jangi Inams.[15][16][17] In acknowledgement of their contribution, Indian Artillery earned the coveted title of `Royal' in 1945. Though originally called the 'Indian Regiment of Artillery', it later became 'The Regiment of Indian Artillery' on 1 November 1940 and 'Royal Regiment of Indian Artillery' in October 1945, after its success in World War II.[9] The title 'Royal' was dropped when India became a Republic on 26 January 1950.

Post Independence[edit | edit source]

At the time of independence, Indian Artillery consisted of Field, Medium, Air Defence, Counter Bombardment, Coastal, Air Observation Post and Survey branches. After the partition of India in 1947, the Royal Indian Artillery was divided with India being allotted eighteen and a half regiments while remaining nine and half units went to Pakistan.[7] Artillery units have taken part and showed their prowess in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, Sino-Indian War of 1962, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the Kargil War.

A major restructuring of Indian Artillery took place after the Chinese Aggression of 1962. This included fresh raising and induction of newer equipment. In 1964, Coastal Artillery was handed over to Indian Navy. In its peace time duties, the Regiment undertakes infantry type and counter insurgency tasks in Jammu and Kashmir and in the North Eastern States. Air Observation Post and Air Defence branches bifurcated in 1986 and 1994 respectively and formed new arms of Indian Army – Army Aviation Corps and Corps of Army Air Defence.[18]

Culture[edit | edit source]

Crest[edit | edit source]

Regimental Crest

The crest of the Regiment of Artillery is largely a legacy of the Royal Artillery. Their heraldic crest depicted a field gun with a crown above it, separated by the word Ubique (Latin for everywhere). Below the gun was emblazoned the motto; Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt (where right and glory lead). In the Royal Indian Artillery, the crown was replaced by star – representing the Star of India and instead of Ubique, the crest carried the word India to distinguish the Royal Indian Artillery from the Royal Artillery. The motto below was also changed to Izzat-o-Iqbal. After independence, the word India was dropped from the regimental crest and replaced with Sarvatra.[19]

The gun in the crest, the same used in the crest of the Royal Artillery, is a homage to the gunners of the old kingdoms of India and in the regiments of artillery of the Royal Indian Artillery, whose traditions are carried on by the current Regiment of Artillery.

Motto[edit | edit source]

The motto of the Regiment of Artillery is Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory), the Hindustani equivalent of the Royal Artillery motto Ubique Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt (Everywhere that Right and Glory Lead). The Hindustani motto honours the memory of the Hindu and Muslim gunners of the British Indian Army. The motto, Izzat-o-Iqbal, was retained but not without controversy. In 1954, as part of the process of Indianisation of the armed forces, the government ordered that regimental mottos be changed to Hindi or Sanskrit. The final decision was, however, left with the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Rajendra Sinhji. The Regiment of Artillery made a forceful case for retaining its motto, as it was felt the most suitable in content and meaning. It was finally decided to retain the motto, though it was in Persian, in time for the 1957 double celebrations of the centennial of the Indian Rebellion and the 150th sequicentennial anniversary of the Indian Artillery.[19]

Flag and Colours[edit | edit source]

Flag of Indian Army Regiment of Artillery

A distinctive red and navy blue background the official colours of the Artillery flag forms an ideal setting for the golden gun (the Gunner crest) which forms the centrepiece of the flag. Gunner folklore had it, that the red and blue represents the flash and the smoke of the gun, though this is not quite true. Red has been traditionally common to all combat arms – Infantry, Armour and Artillery. The blue in the Artillery flag was taken from the ribbon of the 'Star of India' which had been incorporated into the Artillery crest. The original colour was light blue, but since a similar shade was adopted by the Corps of Signals, it was changed to navy blue to avoid confusion.

While the Artillery Regiments carry navy blue and burgundy red President's Banners, the guns are regarded as the regimental colours and are accorded the same compliments as the Standards, Guidons and Colours of the Cavalry and Infantry and the Banners of the Light Infantry and Services and Corps.

Raising day (Gunner's Day)[edit | edit source]

5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery, the first unit of the Indian Regiment of Artillery, was raised on 28 September 1827 as the 8th Company of the Golandaz battalion, Bombay Foot Artillery. This also marked the raising of the first native artillery unit and is celebrated as the day of raising of the Indian Regiment of Artillery.[5] The battery is presently part of the 57 Field Regiment.[20]

Composition[edit | edit source]

As in many pre-independence regiments, many of the units have been allotted on the basis of regional, historical or class/caste backgrounds – e.g. Sikhs, Ahirs, Dogras, Rajputs, Jats, Brahmins, Gurkhas, Marathas and SICs (South Indian Classes).

Women in the Regiment of Artillery[edit | edit source]

In the year 2023, it was decided to allow the entry of women officers in the Regiment of Artillery. In April 2023, five women officers who had passed out from Officers Training Academy, Chennai, joined their respective units.[21]

Commemorative Postal Stamps[edit | edit source]

Commemorative stamps have been released were released by India Post depicting field artillery, a gunner and howitzer from Mountain Battery on the Golden Jubilee of the Regiment of Artillery and on the 50th anniversary of the 9 (Parachute) Field Regiment.[22][23][24]

Field artillery (1963)
Golden Jubilee (1985)
9th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment – 50th Anniversary (1993)

School and Centre[edit | edit source]

School of Artillery, Deolali

The School of Artillery is the premier institution for imparting training to the officers of the regiment. In pre-Independent India, the school was established in Kakul in 1918. In 1941, the present school was established at Deolali in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The Anti – Aircraft School at Karachi was also moved to Deolali and merged with the School of Artillery as one of its Wings in 1947. The Coastal Artillery Wing of the School, which was located at Bombay, was handed over to the Indian Navy in 1965. The Air Defence Wing, after bifurcation, has moved to Gopalpur in Orissa and has been renamed as the Air Defence and Guided Missile School (now Army Air Defence College). The air observation post wing was renamed as Aviation Wing in Jan 1982. Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS) was established in April 2004 and the Aviation Wing of the School was completely amalgamated with the CAATS in May 2004.[25]

195th Gunners' Day Celebration at Golconda Artillery Centre, Hyderabad, 28 September 2021

The Mountain Artillery Training Centre came into being at Dehradun in August 1920 moving to Lucknow in October 1921 and in 1928 to Ambala.[26] The Field Artillery Training Centre came up at Mathura. By 1947, there were six separate training centres, which were amalgamated to form the Royal Indian Artillery Centre (North). On 7 April 1948, the 'Royal' prefix was dropped and the Nasik centre was the sole remaining centre. At present there are two Artillery Training Centres – the Centre at Nashik Road, Maharashtra has the capacity to train 3,000-4,000 recruits at any given time. The other centre is at Golconda in Hyderabad, Telangana which came into being on August 15, 1962.[27] The Golconda centre has three training regiments and presently trains 2900 recruits at a time.[28] The Regiment of Artillery Museum, Artillery Records and Artillery Depot are located in Nashik Road.[29][30]

Units[edit | edit source]

Dhanush (howitzer)

Artillery regiments can be Light Regiments, Medium Regiments, Field Regiments, Missile Regiments, Rocket Regiments and SATA (Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Regiments, depending on the nature of guns or equipment. There are two Airborne Artillery Regiments – 9 (Parachute) Field Regiment and 17 (Parachute) Field Regiment. Self-propelled artillery regiments carry the (SP) suffix to their names.

An Artillery Regiment is commanded by an officer of the rank of Colonel. His second in command (2IC) is a of a Lieutenant Colonel rank. Most regiments have four batteries. In addition to the headquarter battery, the regiment has three batteries (a section of guns), each commanded by officers of the rank of Major or Captain (called Battery Commanders).[31] The three batteries are numbered and may be also designated as P, Q and R batteries. Each battery has six guns or missile launchers.[32][33] Officers and other ranks from service arms, viz Army Medical Corps and Electronics and Mechanical Engineers also form part of the unit.

Three to four regiments are grouped to form a Brigade – which is part of Infantry or Armoured and recently Artillery Divisions. Independent Brigades are under Corps or Commands. Since the 1990s, three Artillery Divisions have been raised –

M777 howitzer

Equipment[edit | edit source]

Light Artillery (Mortars)
  • 120 mm E1 Light Mortar
FV433 Abbot SPG (self-propelled artillery)
Field Artillery
Medium Artillery

By 2040, all medium artillery regiments will be converted to 155  mm standard.[40] This is part of Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP), cleared in 1999.[41]

K9 Vajra
Self-propelled Artillery
Rocket Artillery
Missile Artillery
Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher
Surveillance & Target Acquisition
Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher System
Command and control

Notable personnel[edit | edit source]

BrahMos missiles
Governor of States of India
  • General O.P. Malhotra, PVSM – Punjab (1990–1991)
  • Lieutenant General J.F.R. Jacob, PVSM – Goa (1998 to 1999) and Punjab (1999 to 2003)
  • Lieutenant General K.M. Seth, PVSM, AVSM – Tripura (2002–2003), Chhattisgarh (2003–2007) and Madhya Pradesh (2004)
  • General S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM – Punjab (2004–2009)
  • Lieutenant General M.M. Lakhera, PVSM, AVSM, VSM – Governor of Mizoram (2006–2011) & Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (2004–2006) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2006).
  • Captain Shekhar Dutt, SM, IAS – Chhattisgarh (2010–2014)
Commanders-in-Chief of India
Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army
Agni-II missile
Victoria Cross winners
Post-Independence -
  • Ashok Chakra winners -
  • Maha Vir Chakra winners –
    • Major General Mohindar Singh
    • Major Sushil Kumar Mathur
    • Captain Dara Dineshaw Mistry
    • Brigadier Kailash Prasad Pande
    • Captain Pradip Kumar Gour
    • Second Lieutenant Shyamal Dev Goswamy
    • Captain Pratap Singh
  • Kirti Chakra winners -
    • Major Braj Kishore Sharma
    • Major Kumandur Prabhakar Vinay[42]
    • Major Sukhwinder Jeet Singh Randhawa[43]
    • Major Krishna Murthy Balasubramaniam[44]
    • Major Gurcharan Singh[45]
    • Captain (Later Colonel) Arjun Singh Guleria[46]
    • Havildar Indra Bahadur Gurung[47]
    • Lance Naik Attar Singh
    • Naik Dilwar Khan[48]
    • Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A[49]
Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi)
Others
  • Lieutenant General Prem Singh Gyani – First Indian officer to be commissioned out of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, in 1932. He became the first Indian officer to command an Indian field regiment, the 2 Indian Field Regiment.[50]
  • Brigadier Furdoon Siavax Byramji Mehta – first Indian Artillery officer to wear the wings of the Air Observation Post (Air OP) in 1944, now known as Army Aviation Corps, believed to be the only Indian officer to have flown with a British Air Observation Post Squadron in the Second World War.[51][52]

Further reading[edit | edit source]

  • History of the Regiment of Artillery, Indian Army, by Y. B. Gulati, D. K. Palit. Published by Leo Cooper, 1972. ISBN 0-85052-118-1.
  • Themes of Glory: Indian Artillery in War by Darshan Khullar. Published by VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd, 2017. ISBN 978-9385563973.
  • Kargil '99: Blood, Guts and Firepower, by Gurmeet Kanwal, India Army. Regiment of Artillery. Published by Regiment of Artillery in association with Lancer Publishers, 2000. ISBN 1-897829-64-7.

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. Medium Guns include those of greater than 105 mm calibre, but less than 155 mm and howitzers of greater than 105 mm calibre up to and including 155 mm

References[edit | edit source]

  1. [1] Indian Army website.
  2. "SP's Land Forces : Guns and Glory – A Saga of Dedication and Valour". Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Singh, Jagjit (2006). Artillery: The Battle-Winning Arm. Lancer Publishers, New Delhi. ISBN 978-8176021807.
  4. Eaton, Richard M.; Wagoner, Philip B. (1 March 2014). "Warfare on the Deccan Plateau, 1450–1600: a military revolution in early modern India?". Journal of World History. 25 (1): 5–52. doi:10.1353/jwh.2014.0004. S2CID 162260578.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 "Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter II" (PDF). Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Jackson, Donovan (1940). India's Army. Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd. pp. 176–187.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 History of Artillery, Indian Army.
  8. W.Y. Carmen, page 12 "Indian Army Uniforms under the British. Artillery, Engineers and Infantry", Morgan-Grampian: London 1969
  9. 9.0 9.1 Regiment of Artillery Global Security
  10. MacMunn, GF (1911). The Armies of India. Adam and Charles Black, London. pp. 113–114.
  11. MacMunn, GF (1911). The Armies of India. Adam and Charles Black, London. pp. 180–183.
  12. India, Adjutant General of (1930). List of Honours Awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921. Committee Indian War Memorial Delhi.
  13. Indian Field Artillery in World War II
  14. "Pangs of Partition". Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  15. "Guns and Glory – A Saga of Dedication and Valour". Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  16. The Tiger Strikes. Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India. 1942. p. 150.
  17. The Tiger Kills. Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India. 1944. pp. 316–317.
  18. Sawhney, Jane's Defence Weekly, 9 October 1996, p.35
  19. 19.0 19.1 "Regiment of Artillery". Archived from the original on 23 September 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  20. "COAS Visits 57 Field Regiment". 1 November 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  21. "In historic first, five women cadets commissioned into army's artillery regiment". The Hindu. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  22. "Field Artillery and helicopter". Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  23. 15th Jan 1985 StampIndia Post. Archived 17 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  24. "50th Anniversary of 9th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment". Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  25. "School of Arty". Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  26. Graham, C.A.L. (1957). The History of the Indian Mountain Artillery. Gale and Polden Ltd, Aldershot. pp. 439–442.
  27. "830 new recruits pass out from Artillery Centre". The Times of India. 28 March 2021.
  28. "Arty Centre, Hyderabad". Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  29. "Depot Regiment". Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  30. "Guns of Nashik". 2 March 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  31. "Know The Indian Army, Regiment Of Artillery: Some Interesting Facts About Lethal Combat Arm". 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  32. "Indian Army's Achilles Heel: Artillery Power". 10 June 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  33. "Army seals Rs 292 crore contract for indigenously manufactured rockets that can strike up to 300 km". 2 January 2026. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  34. "Kharga Corps receives victory flame". 25 December 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  35. "Lt General Dhiraj Seth, GOC, Sudarshan Chakra Corps visited Agnibaaz Division". 1 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  36. "Indian Army and Maharashtra police conduct joint anti-terror exercise in Pune". The Economic Times. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  37. "Raising Day : Agnibaaz Division". 2 April 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  38. "Army Commander Sapta Shakti Command visited "Strategic Strikers Division" and reviewed operational preparedness". 14 October 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  39. "Ailing artillery gun programme back on track". 6 February 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  40. Peri, Dinakar (27 September 2022). "LAC standoff | Army deploys entire range of medium-range artillery and long-range rockets as part of reorientation". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  41. Singh, Rahul (27 September 2022). "Indian Army eyes major firepower upgrade to counter China". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  42. "Major Kumandur Prabhakar Vinay". Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  43. "Major Sukhwinder Jeet Singh Randhawa". Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  44. "Major Krishna Murthy Balasubramaniam". Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  45. "Gazette of India, No 17, page 126" (PDF). 26 January 1952. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  46. "AS Guleria". Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  47. "Havildar Indra Bahadur Gurung". Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  48. "List of personnel being Conferred Gallantry And Distinguished Service Awards on the occasion of Republic Day-2025" (PDF). 25 January 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  49. "List of personnel is being conferred with awards and defence decorations on the occasion of Independence Day 2025" (PDF). 14 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  50. "Evolution of Regiment of Artillery". Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  51. "Brigadier Furdoon Siavax Byramji Mehta: Pioneer of Indian Army Aviation Corps, not averse to risk". 13 March 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  52. Obituaries, Telegraph (27 April 2021). "Furdoon 'Duck' Mehta, flew artillery observation missions in support of the 14th Army – obituary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 May 2021.

External links[edit | edit source]

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