Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bhim Chand | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 December 1905 |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance |  British India India |
| Service/ |  British Indian Army Indian Army |
| Rank |  Subedar Major  Honorary Captain |
| Unit | 2 Dogra |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 |
| Awards | Vir Chakra (2) Jangi Inam |
| Relations | Col. Thakur Prithi Chand, MVC Lt. Col. Kushal Chand, MVC |
Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bhim Chand, VrC & bar, (born 17 December 1905)[1] was an officer of the Indian Army around the mid-20th century. He is known for his role in stalling the advance of the Pakistani forces in Ladakh during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947-48. He is the only person in the Indian Army known for having been awarded a double award in this war.[2] For his role in this war, Bhim Chand is regarded among the 'Saviours of Ladakh', alongside Thakur Prithi Chand, Kushal Chand, and Chewang Rinchen.[3][4]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Bhim Chand hailed from Lahaul, then a part of the Kangra district of the Punjab Province of British India. His father was Phunchog Rabgai.[5] He was a maternal uncle to Colonel Thakur Prithi Chand, MVC, and Lieutenant Colonel Kushal Chand, MVC, and fought alongside them in Ladakh during the 1947-48 war with Pakistan.[6][7] Like all of them, Bhim Chand was a Tibetan Buddhist.[8]
Armed forces career[edit | edit source]
Bhim Chand joined the British Indian Army as a soldier in the 2nd Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, on 22 September 1939.[5] He served in World War II over 1939–45, for which he received a 'Jangi Inam' from the British government on 15 January 1947.[9]
He continued in 2 Dogra during the 1947-48 war. During this war, while at the JCO rank of Subedar, he was twice awarded the Vir Chakra - the third highest gallantry award in the post-Independence Indian Army. He retired with the honorary rank of Subedar Major and Honorary Captain, on December 1, 1958.[8]
Actions in Ladakh, 1948[edit | edit source]
In 1948, Bhim Chand was part of an all-volunteer group from the 2nd Dogras, led by Major Thakur Prithi Chand with Captain (later Major) Kushal Chand as second-in-command. Comprising around twenty men in total - all from Lahaul and all Buddhists - this group made its way to Ladakh in the thick of winter in February, arriving there by mid-March. The aim was to protect Ladakh from Pakistani invaders. Prithi Chand and Bhim Chand raised a militia of local volunteers in Nubra, called the 'Nubra Guards', of which Colonel Chewang Rinchen, MVC & bar, SM - then a 17-year old - became a member.[10][11] Bhim Chand also played a vital role in the defence of Leh, the capital of Ladakh.[12]
Vir Chakra awards[edit | edit source]
The first Vir Chakra citation for Subedar Bhim Chand, dated 23 August 1948, reads as the following:[5][13]
The second Vir Chakra citation of Subedar Bhim Chand, dated 27 December 1948, reads as the following:[14]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Tobdan (2022). The Brave Soldiers of Lahaul - the Saviours of Ladakh in 1948. New Delhi: Kaveri Books. p. 38.
- ↑ Prasad, Shankar (2005). The Gallant Dogras: An Illustrated History of the Dogra Regiment. Lancer Publishers. p. 102. ISBN 978-81-7062-268-0.
- ↑ "Homage paid to Lt Col Khushal Chand "Savior of Ladakh"". Brighter Kashmir. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ↑ Francis, J. (2 October 2019). Selected Stories of Gallant Indian Soldiers. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-88161-85-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Subedar Major and Hony Captain (then Subedar) BHIM CHAND" (PDF). gallantryawards.gov.in.
- ↑ Col. Dilbag Dabas (retd.) (10 August 2019). "Maj Kushal Chand — Ladakh valley's saviour". The Tribune.
- ↑ Bloeria, Sudhir S. (2021). Ladakh in the Twentieth Century. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-89620-84-9.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tobdan (2022). The Brave Soldiers of Lahaul - The Saviours of Ladakh in 1948. New Delhi: Kaveri Books. p. 38.
- ↑ Tobdan (2022). The Brave Soldiers of Lahaul - the Saviours of Ladakh in 1948. New Delhi: Kaveri Books. pp. 39–40.
- ↑ Capt. D.P. Ramachandran (5 June 2017). "The Snow Warriors". Colours of Glory. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ↑ Arpi, Claude (26 May 2009). "An Ode to the Unsung Heroes of Ladakh". khandro.net.
- ↑ Brig (retd.) Ashok Malhotra (2003). Trishul - Ladakh and Kargil, 1947-1993. New Delhi: Lance Publishers & Distributors.
- ↑ Tobdan (2022). The Brave Soldiers of Lahaul - the Saviours of Ladakh in 1948. New Delhi: Kaveri Books. pp. 40–41.
- ↑ "Subedar Major and Honorary Captain (then Subedar) BHIM CHAND Vir Chakra". gallantryawards.gov.in.