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Created page with "{{Infobox military person |name=Arun Bhimrao Harolikar |birth_date= |death_date= |birth_place=India |allegiance=India |branch=Indian Army |serviceyears= |rank=Brigadier |unit=5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR) |battles=Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |awards=Maha Vir Chakra }} '''Brigadier Arun Bhimrao Harolikar''', MVC was an officer of the Indian Army who served with the 5th Gorkha Rifles during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He was..."
 
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{{Short description|Indian Army officer and Maha Vir Chakra recipient (1934–2007)}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name=Arun Bhimrao Harolikar
|name=Arun Bhimrao Harolikar
|birth_date=
|birth_date={{birth date|1934|12|6|df=y}}
|death_date=
|death_date={{death date and age|2007|11|16|1934|12|6|df=y}}
|birth_place=India
|birth_place=[[Kolhapur]], [[Maharashtra]], India
|death_place=[[Pune]], Maharashtra, India
|allegiance=India
|allegiance=India
|branch=Indian Army
|branch=Indian Army
|serviceyears=
|serviceyears=1950s–1980s
|rank=Brigadier
|rank=[[Brigadier]]
|unit=5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR)
|unit=[[5 Gorkha Rifles]] (3/5 GR, 4/5 GR)
|battles=Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
|battles=[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] ([[Operation Cactus-Lilly]])
|awards=Maha Vir Chakra
|awards=[[Maha Vir Chakra]]
}}
}}


'''Brigadier Arun Bhimrao Harolikar''', [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] was an officer of the [[Indian Army]] who served with the [[5 Gorkha Rifles|5th Gorkha Rifles]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. He was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his leadership and courage in the Eastern Sector (Bangladesh).
'''Arun Bhimrao Harolikar''', [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] (6 December 1934 – 16 November 2007) was an officer of the [[Indian Army]] who served with the [[5 Gorkha Rifles]]. As a [[Lieutenant Colonel]] commanding the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR), he was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his leadership during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] in the Eastern Sector (present-day Bangladesh).<ref name="mvc-gallantry">{{cite web |title=Awardees – Maha Vir Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/ |publisher=Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="5gr-archive">{{cite web |title=5th Royal Gurkha Rifles |url=https://archive.org/ |publisher=Internet Archive |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="oiop">{{cite web |title=Brigadier Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, MVC |url=https://oneindiaonepeople.com/ |publisher=One India One People Foundation |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref>
 
== Early life and education ==
Harolikar was born on 6 December 1934 in [[Kolhapur]], [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="pudhari">{{cite news |title=Arun Bhimrao Harolikar |url=https://www.pudhari.news/ |work=Pudhari |language=mr |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="oiop" /> He completed his matriculation at New High School, Kolhapur, and attended the first year of his higher education at Rajaram College, Kolhapur.<ref name="oiop" /> He was subsequently commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (3/5 GR), and later commanded a battalion in active service.<ref name="5gr-archive" /><ref name="oiop" />


== Military career ==
== Military career ==
As a Lieutenant Colonel, Harolikar was commanding a battalion of the 5th Gorkha Rifles when he was tasked with capturing a well-fortified enemy position in the Eastern Sector. The enemy held the position with two companies covering all approaches.


When two assaulting companies were held up by intense enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar led the remaining battalion in an assault along a difficult approach from behind the enemy lines. He personally took part in hand-to-hand fighting, and it was largely due to his leadership that the battalion captured the position. The capture resulted in the liberation of a large part of the area and facilitated further operations by the brigade group.
=== Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 ===
During [[Operation Cactus-Lilly]] in the Eastern Sector, then-Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar was commanding the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR), which was part of [[59th Mountain Brigade (India)|59 Mountain Brigade]] under the [[8th Mountain Division (India)|8 Mountain Division]].<ref name="mvc-list-archive">{{cite web |title=List of Maha Vir Chakra awardees |url=https://archive.org/ |publisher=Internet Archive |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="tribune">{{cite news |title=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/ |work=The Tribune |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref>
 
Harolikar’s battalion was tasked with capturing a well-fortified enemy position. The position was held by two enemy companies covering all approaches. When two assaulting companies were held up by intense enemy fire, Harolikar led the remaining battalion in an assault along a difficult approach from behind the enemy lines. He personally took part in hand-to-hand fighting, and the battalion successfully captured the position.<ref name="5gr-archive" /><ref name="oiop" /> The resolute action broke the enemy’s will to resist, leading to the early surrender of the entire garrison of several thousand enemy personnel.<ref name="jk-now">{{cite news |title=Jammu Kashmir Now |url=https://www.jammukashmirnow.com/ |work=Jammu Kashmir Now |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="5gr-archive" />
 
Later in the campaign, on 7 December 1971, after his battalion was landed by helicopters at [[Sylhet]] in the Indian Army’s first heliborne operation, his defensive position came under a series of well-coordinated enemy counter-attacks, which were decisively repulsed under his command.<ref name="cardozo-claws">{{cite journal |last=Cardozo |first=Ian |title=The Battle for Sylhet |journal=Scholar Warrior |url=https://www.claws.in/ |publisher=Centre for Land Warfare Studies |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="kaul-fpj">{{cite news |last=Kaul |first=Rattan |title=Army Day 2022 |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/ |work=Free Press Journal |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="bbc-hindi">{{cite news |title=BBC Hindi |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi |work=BBC Hindi |language=hi |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref>


Later during the operations, he captured another enemy position. On 7 December 1971, after the battalion was landed by helicopters at [[Sylhet]], his defensive position came under a series of well-coordinated enemy counter-attacks, which were repulsed under his leadership.
=== Maha Vir Chakra ===
For his conspicuous gallantry, inspirational leadership, and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]].<ref name="mvc-gallantry" /><ref name="5gr-archive" /><ref name="oiop" /> According to the official record, the award was notified with a date of action of 15 August 1972, and his service number was IC-7916.<ref name="mvc-gallantry" /> The citation specifically recognised his role in the operations in the Eastern Sector, where his battalion’s action contributed to the liberation of a large part of the area and facilitated further operations by the brigade group.<ref name="5gr-archive" /><ref name="mvc-gallantry" />


== Maha Vir Chakra ==
== Later life and legacy ==
For his conspicuous gallantry and leadership, Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]].
After retiring from active service as a Brigadier, Harolikar settled in [[Pune]], Maharashtra.<ref name="pib">{{cite press release |title=Swarnim Vijay Varsh |url=https://pib.gov.in/ |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref> He died on 16 November 2007.<ref name="pib" />


== Later life ==
His legacy has been commemorated in Pune in several ways. In 2013, the residents of Salunke Vihar Society created and named a garden after him; he was the only Maha Vir Chakra recipient who had resided in the society until his death.<ref name="pib" /> In October 2021, as part of the nationwide [[Swarnim Vijay Varsh]] celebrations marking 50 years of India’s victory in the 1971 war, the Victory Flame was received in Salunke Vihar by Jaya Harolikar, his widow, along with other veterans and war heroes.<ref name="pib" />
Brigadier (Retd) Harolikar settled in [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]. He participated in the Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations in 2021 marking 50 years of India's victory in the 1971 war.


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Maha Vir Chakra]]
* [[Maha Vir Chakra]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
* [[5 Gorkha Rifles]]
* [[Military history of India]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |last=Cardozo |first=Ian |title=The Battle for Sylhet |journal=Scholar Warrior |publisher=Centre for Land Warfare Studies |date=Spring 2020 |url=https://www.claws.in/ |access-date=17 October 2026}}
* {{cite news |last=Kaul |first=Rattan |title=Army Day 2022 |work=Free Press Journal |date=15 January 2022 |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/ |access-date=17 October 2026}}
* {{cite book |title=Bravest of the Brave: 4/5 Gorkha Rifles in the 1971 Indo-Pak War |publisher=Military History Publications |year=2010}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/ Official Gallantry Awards Portal – Ministry of Defence, Government of India]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Harolikar, Arun Bhimrao}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harolikar, Arun Bhimrao}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:People from Kolhapur]]
[[Category:5 Gorkha Rifles]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel from Maharashtra]]

Revision as of 11:13, 17 October 2026

Arun Bhimrao Harolikar
Born(1934-12-06)6 December 1934
Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Died16 November 2007(2007-11-16) (aged 72)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
AllegianceIndia
Service/branchIndian Army
Years of service1950s–1980s
RankBrigadier
Unit5 Gorkha Rifles (3/5 GR, 4/5 GR)
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1971 (Operation Cactus-Lilly)
AwardsMaha Vir Chakra

Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, MVC (6 December 1934 – 16 November 2007) was an officer of the Indian Army who served with the 5 Gorkha Rifles. As a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR), he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his leadership during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the Eastern Sector (present-day Bangladesh).[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Harolikar was born on 6 December 1934 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.[4][3] He completed his matriculation at New High School, Kolhapur, and attended the first year of his higher education at Rajaram College, Kolhapur.[3] He was subsequently commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (3/5 GR), and later commanded a battalion in active service.[2][3]

Military career

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

During Operation Cactus-Lilly in the Eastern Sector, then-Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar was commanding the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR), which was part of 59 Mountain Brigade under the 8 Mountain Division.[5][6]

Harolikar’s battalion was tasked with capturing a well-fortified enemy position. The position was held by two enemy companies covering all approaches. When two assaulting companies were held up by intense enemy fire, Harolikar led the remaining battalion in an assault along a difficult approach from behind the enemy lines. He personally took part in hand-to-hand fighting, and the battalion successfully captured the position.[2][3] The resolute action broke the enemy’s will to resist, leading to the early surrender of the entire garrison of several thousand enemy personnel.[7][2]

Later in the campaign, on 7 December 1971, after his battalion was landed by helicopters at Sylhet in the Indian Army’s first heliborne operation, his defensive position came under a series of well-coordinated enemy counter-attacks, which were decisively repulsed under his command.[8][9][10]

Maha Vir Chakra

For his conspicuous gallantry, inspirational leadership, and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.[1][2][3] According to the official record, the award was notified with a date of action of 15 August 1972, and his service number was IC-7916.[1] The citation specifically recognised his role in the operations in the Eastern Sector, where his battalion’s action contributed to the liberation of a large part of the area and facilitated further operations by the brigade group.[2][1]

Later life and legacy

After retiring from active service as a Brigadier, Harolikar settled in Pune, Maharashtra.[11] He died on 16 November 2007.[11]

His legacy has been commemorated in Pune in several ways. In 2013, the residents of Salunke Vihar Society created and named a garden after him; he was the only Maha Vir Chakra recipient who had resided in the society until his death.[11] In October 2021, as part of the nationwide Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations marking 50 years of India’s victory in the 1971 war, the Victory Flame was received in Salunke Vihar by Jaya Harolikar, his widow, along with other veterans and war heroes.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Awardees – Maha Vir Chakra". Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "5th Royal Gurkha Rifles". Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Brigadier Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, MVC". One India One People Foundation. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "Arun Bhimrao Harolikar". Pudhari (in मराठी). Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  5. ↑ "List of Maha Vir Chakra awardees". Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  6. ↑ "The Tribune". The Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Jammu Kashmir Now". Jammu Kashmir Now. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  8. ↑ Cardozo, Ian. "The Battle for Sylhet". Scholar Warrior. Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  9. ↑ Kaul, Rattan. "Army Day 2022". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "BBC Hindi". BBC Hindi (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Swarnim Vijay Varsh" (Press release). Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 17 October 2026.

Further reading

  • Cardozo, Ian (Spring 2020). "The Battle for Sylhet". Scholar Warrior. Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  • Kaul, Rattan (15 January 2022). "Army Day 2022". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  • Bravest of the Brave: 4/5 Gorkha Rifles in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Military History Publications. 2010.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arun_Bhimrao_Harolikar&oldid=568576"
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